The Mechanical Era

Wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with a black tie across his neck, Kant sat in his room typing away on a piece of white paper on his desk. To his sides were a bunch of more pieces of white paper, with the ones on his left blank while the other had both sides embedded with letters of black ink.

There was a third pile of paper, the ones in the bin. The metal bin, placed on the right side, had more papers thrown inside than the ones on the desk. Kant had gone through many revisions as it's an institution that would have a great impact on any research done on anything.

At his bedside, there were lay more long-sleeved white shirts with black ties along with pants and suits. He had ordered more to be tailored for him. As he continues to type on his typewriter, Arjun knocked on Kant's door, requesting to be let in.

pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ "Enter," Kant replied in a slightly deeper voice. Arjun, wearing a white cloak with glasses on his face, entered the room carrying a bunch of more white paper.

"Here is the batch you requested sire," Arjun tells Kant as he places the stack on his left. A little curious, Arjun decides to ask what Kant has been up to, albeit a little indirectly.

"There are a couple of disputes in the office that had been accumulating. I think sire should turn focus to it."

"I am nearly done. I will look at them in a few minutes," he replied.

"Is it that important sire?"

"Yes, it is indeed Arjun."

"Well, what is it?" Arjun questioned.

"It's a charter for a public institution dedicated to discussing, testing, and recording scientific knowledge and breakthroughs," Kant replied confidently. There was a hint of confusion placed on Arjun's face as he continued to ask more questions.

"Oh? For what reason?"

"I had been informed that the school is nearly complete. Therefore I need to have a place to regulate scientific knowledge to establish some standards regarding what knowledge will be published and easy access to said information."

"Oh right, of course. Well, sire, I am not sure that you have to go... that deep into writing the charter." It was a simple jab at how Kant seemed to be putting lots of time into this possible institution. Kant however, thought otherwise."

"Oh, I think I do Arjun."

"Why is that?"

"I have a long response to that. Do you want to hear it?" he asked.

"Sure," Arjun replies. Kant immediately stops typing on his typewriter and turned to face Arjun while sitting on his swivel chair.

"There are many laws of the universe that we do not understand. Whether it be because we cannot see it or cannot experience it. However, even if we cannot sense them directly, we understand it exists.

The only way we can gain knowledge about it or anything around us is through the scientific method. It was how our current understanding of magic came into play, how our tools work, and such.

However, for the scientific method to function as fluently as possible, it needs skepticism and the input of people, no matter their intelligence or credentials. As we discover more information, many settled theories will fall apart, and it would help find out holes in one's theory if there were more people to point it out, allowing better hypotheses to be constructed.

With the school established, I intended to teach the population how to read, allowing everyone and anyone to participate in the system that will progress our understanding of the world further.

With this process comes a greater understanding of the rules of the universe. It would allow us to find problems we didn't know existed, and create tools to solve said problems, and technology that will increase productivity.

These factors mean that the city itself is stronger. It would give nations an advantage over everyone else. It's the main reason why I am doing this." Kant replied.

There was a brief moment of silence as it took Arjun some time to digest the information given to him by Kant. However, as he fully grasp it, he had a little nudge to ask one more question.

"I might find a flaw in your idea."

"That is?"

"You mentioned earlier that you will allow anyone? Like... even rookies."

"Hmm... yes. I do."

"That is the thing sire. Don't you think it should be a place for people with the right credentials?"

"I am not sure why I should."

"Well sire, take for instance, what if someone starts spewing out false statements in the discussion? Or what if they ask stupid questions? Wouldn't a requirement for credentials make those incidents occur less?" he asked. Maintaining a straight face, Kant calmly responded.

"There are no stupid questions when it comes to science. Any question directed at the theory should be properly addressed with an answer by the researcher presenting it. If false information is given, they are to point it out and cite their source. Without it otherwise, there may be undetected holes that will pass along as truth.

This is not like religion. Although it may be one side to the same coin, being that is a gift from god, science is a gift that god gave to all men to interpret and act on their own, different from religion.

Although anyone can read more information about the topic, or do more experiments on it. They cannot however use their credentials to shut others down as a preacher would. That would just be bad science."

From his desk, Kant then pulled the drawer and grabbed a piece of paper. He handed it over to Arjun to look at. Drawn with a pencil appear to be a man, wearing a lab coat over a white shirt with a tie around his neck. His legs were covered in pants and leather shoes, while his face was concealed behind a cloth mask.

"What is this sire?" Arjun asked.

"It's a possible uniform I might require. It's meant to conceal the person behind it." Kant replied.

"Why is that sire?" he questioned.

"I think it would be best to have a layer of anonymity while discussions take place. There will be people who will try to use their credentials to shut down others. As credentials are often tied to one's identity, this uniform is attempting to make everyone represent their ideas, instead of themselves." Kant answered.

"But how will they receive credit for their work? Won't that be a big motivator?"

"Oh, they will be credited. It will only be unveiled after a certain period of time has passed. Besides, a monetary reward will be handed out based on its contribution."

"How will that be decided?"

"I am still working on that." He replied. With that, Arjun had run out of questions to ask. As he was about to leave, Kant made a small request of him.

"I want more printing presses to be crafted."

"Again? How many more?"

"About 25. Along with all the types. I need a few books to be made as a base understanding. Along with other books about the things we know."

"As you wish sire."