Within the spacious and bright lecture hall, noises rolled out like waves pushing the slightly stuffy air layer by layer towards the door. The crowd moved like squid during high tide, and a figure cut through the crowd like a hot knife through butter, making its way towards the podium at the very front.
Shiller lifted his gaze and saw Charles's face. He was packing up his teaching materials on the desk, smiled at Charles and said,"What's up, Professor? How co you're free to visit today?"
"To avoid disturbing you, I listened to half a lecture on Intergalactic Sociology from outside the door. Your teaching is excellent, lively, and very interesting, very suitable for these youngsters. Could I have a bit of your ti now?"
Just as Charles finished speaking, two girls rushed towards them. One was of Asian descent, and the other looked like an Arican girl. They ran hand in hand to the edge of the podium. They ran so fast that their bodies pitched forward, almost tumbling over the table.
"Oh my God, Dean, it's not easy to find you! Charlotte said that nine out of ten tis she couldn't find you in your office." The Asian girl started speaking first.
"What's the matter, Wen? Do you and Charlotte need sothing?"
"Well, Dean, Charlotte and I are high school classmates. We have reviewed the enrollnt rules of New York University and learned that they will establish a General Sociology departnt in September next year, and they are going to admit sixty more students. In that case, both Charlotte and I may have a chance to go to New York University."
"That's great news." Shiller nodded and gently said,"I heard that both of your high school performances are not bad, and you've even won so awards. Applying to New York University should not be a problem, right?"
"Yes, but I've heard that new subjects will have entrance exams. We have so questions about Intergalactic Sociology that we would like to consult you about as it may improve our scores in the entrance exams."
"Absolutely, you can ask any questions." Shiller nodded, displaying imnse patience.
"Perfect. Dr. Rodriguez, about the topic you just lectured on in class, 'Analysis of Intergalactic Security Conditions and War Potential of Four Civilization Types,' I also have so parts I do not understand. However, I am interested in what exactly these young ladies did not comprehend." Charles opportunistically joined the conversation.
"Oh, Dean Xavier, you're here too. If you two have serious matters to discuss, we can co back another ti..."
"It's okay. Charles and I can talk later. Feel free to ask your questions."
The Asian girl nad Wen imdiately started flipping through her notebook. Charlotte also joined in, and they both pointed at a question in the notebook, saying,"Professor, around ten minutes into your lecture, you ntioned that the ethical values of a chanical civilization can affect their position in intergalactic security conditions and increase their war potential. However, you didn't explain why in detail. We would like to hear more about this."
"That's a pretty simple logic." Shiller smiled and said,"If all humans were manufactured in factories with almost unlimited raw materials and abundant energy, where any casualties can be replenished at any ti, what impact do you think this would have on the international situation?"
"We would probably never get any peace." Charlotte, who seed to be the more timid one, quietly replied,"There wouldn't be any human rights condemnations, and organizations hoping to gain benefits through war would beco even more reckless."
"Exactly. This is what I emphasized earlier on how a civilization's form affects civilizational ideology, and consequently, their views on war, which further affect global security conditions."
"So you an a purely chanical civilization is more likely to instigate wars?"
"More or less. However, it's not strictly limited to chanical civilizations. I was just giving an example. When the sacrifice of a race's mainstream mbers do not matter and can be replaced at any ti, they are destined not to care too much about casualties during war."
The two girls nodded, and Wen soon referred to another question in the notebook,"So, for the laziness of immortal species and special magic civilizations, is it for this reason too?"
"Taking Asgard as an example," Shiller adjusted his glasses and said,"On one hand, the conception of ti for immortal species is dissimilar to that of short-lived species. The interval between Asgard launching a war may see several dozen generations of ordinary short-lived civilizations co and pass, thus the damage they cause doesn't appear to be too great."
"On the other hand, in interstellar society, most civilizations based on magic have overwhelming advantages. They first beco affluent, then explore the outside world, rather than having to expedite their journey beyond their ho planet due to limited resources like humans and other civilizations."
"Since this is the case, the motivation to prompt them to explore the outside world is more often out of curiosity. Therefore, they exhibit a unique laziness towards significant events in interstellar society. To us, it may seem like they are always late to react, but in reality, it's because the benefits that lesser species fight over are of no use to their survival and developnt."
The two girls nodded and then asked several more questions about the differences between the four types of civilizations, focusing mostly on the causes of these differences. Charles occasionally participated in the discussion, but he was more interested in how a civilization that started from scratch could gain enough benefits through war or in others' wars.
Finally, Shiller concluded.
"Even when looking at it from an interstellar level, war is only a ans, not an end. When power groups launch wars, they must be doing so because there are benefits. Purely chaotic races are always excluded from interstellar society. If not for Asgard putting the cloak of civilization back on, they would never have a chance to return to the interstellar society."
"Rules can be armor as well as weapons. When everyone has to sit down and talk according to the rules, strong military power is a guarantee of justice. However, the most decisive factor in who can go further is the foresight to understand what one truly wants."
Both girls wore contemplative expressions, and Charlotte mused,"It seems that all intelligent life forms are more or less the sa. 'Wanting both' may bring in more gains, but it also appears excessively greedy. However, tily sacrifices of certain benefits can win public opinion advantages. As for how to choose, it always depends on who you are and what you want."
"You will make an outstanding intergalactic politician, miss," Shiller said, with a smile looking at Charlotte.
"Thank you so much, Dean. If we have similar issues in the future..."
"You can find after attending classes at Dreamland School or you can call in reality, but please contact through Arkham Sanatorium. I don't personally answer calls from numbers not in my contacts."
The two girls nodded and left. Charles walked to the opposite side of Schiller, shaking his head slightly and said, "It's astonishing, Doctor. Inviting you to teach at Dreamland School was the best decision I've ever made."
"It's nothing, Professor. But if you have any more questions, I'm afraid we'll have to discuss them later. I have an appointnt this afternoon. I have to start preparing."
"Oh? Are you going out?"
"Yes, Steve, Nick and I have agreed to go ice fishing on Long Island this Sunday afternoon. You know it's a rare opportunity - the ice layer is just right."
Charles was slightly stunned and said surprisedly, "You guys are going ice fishing too? I was just thinking of discussing this with Erik."
"He's been a bit upset lately due to so matters, and fishing is one of the few forms of entertainnt he willingly uses to pass the ti. I ca here to invite you to join us, because, you know, our relationship is too close so I didn't think it would be appropriate for to provide him with psychological counseling."
"I see." Schiller quickly organized the docunts on the table and said: "This event was initiated by Nick, but I think he'd be happy to invite you. It's just that the ti is a bit tight..."
"I've prepared everything already." Charles said with a smile: "I know Erik wouldn't refuse my suggestion, he never has."
"How do you plan to get there?" Schiller asked again.
"You can send the coordinates to Blink's phone. I'll give you his number later. He will take us there. It's a pleasant coincidence, isn't it?"
Schiller laughed and honestly said: "The most pleasant coincidence is that you found now. If it had been a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have had ti to go fishing."
"When you reach my age, you'll understand what a precious attitude it is to slow down and enjoy life. If our mories are filled with the smoke of gunpowder and rivers of blood when we finally stop, even God frequently expresses his regret."
Charles used a lot of British rhetoric; it sounded like Shakespeare, but Schiller knew exactly what he was implying. He just replied in the sa tone: "Human beings and our society spend too much ti discussing right from wrong, and always create contradictions because of it. If we really want to relax calmly, we have to break out of this vicious circle first."
"Fishing is a good way to relax, right?"
"Absolutely. Fishing is very relaxing, especially when two of the participants are World War II veterans and the other two are from Russia."
Charles' eyebrows flicked and his face displayed a look of satisfaction. It was not just satisfaction with the participants in the event, but rather the kind of pleasure from the silent understanding that cos from talking with a smart person.
I can definitely persuade Erik with this, thought Charles. It's a rare opportunity to allow key figures of humanity to be associated with people who aren't so typically Arican like Stark and Strange.
Erik has never liked Aricans, particularly successful ones. Every ti Charles brought this up to him, the look on Erik's face was one of disdain - like he was hearing about soone stepping on dog poop this morning.
This malice does not co from his background. To the perfectionist, ticulous and clean-freak Erik, the wild Arican is naturally the antonym. Just ntioning so words associated with the previous one's love history is enough to make one nauseous.
"But before that, can I ask what is bothering Dr. Lensherr?" Schiller asked as he walked with Charles to the outside.
His reference to Erik caught Charles by surprise, but then he laughed and said, "No matter what worries him, I'm sure you will solve it, Dr. Schiller, because just your way of addressing him will be enough to lower his guard. Very few people call him doctor."
"But he's a doctor, isn't he? Even though he acquired his degree in astrophysics as an adult and may have utilized his mutant abilities during his experints, he definitely deserves to be called Dr. Lensherr."
"You could try calling him Dr. Eisenhardt, he may be even more pleased."
"Is that his real na?"
"Yes, his given na is Max Eisenhardt, but later in order to disguise himself as a gypsy, he changed his na to Erik Lensherr. I've said more than once that his alias is obviously fake, but he refuses to change it."
Schiller stopped at the door, smiled at Charles and said, "I'll wait for him to tell about it himself. This honesty could earn him a doctor title that I fully acknowledge. If the Russians present could all call him Marx, that would be a great complint."
Charles laughed along and said, "I hope your words bring good luck."
User Comments
0 comments from readers