New Earth: Chapter 6 - Freedom’s Paradox
From kings to machines, humanity repeats the same mistake
Happy Easter! In a taxi during Holy Week this past week, as we weaved between motorcycles and mopeds in Cebu—an island in the Philippines—I was struck by the driver’s comment about a previous, more authoritarian president:
“I liked him better.”
It seemed things were safer then.
That same theme surfaced again in a separate conversation with someone who travels frequently to China. He spoke with admiration about its cleanliness, safety, and efficiency. Yes, it is a communist nation—but economically, it functions in many ways like the West. And, according to him, people are happy.
Then came a message from friends currently in Taiwan: some there are beginning to favor communism—for the same reasons. Safety. Order. Cleanliness.
Different places. Different systems.
The same desire.
Every person wants freedom.
Every person wants safety.
But if something can be granted by a government, it can also be taken away by it.
So, do we truly possess it at all?
This question sits at the center of what I write on The Tolton Path. And it is a driving force behind this week’s entry in the New Earth series below.
I hope you enjoy it.
You can find the previous entries of New Earth here. Paying subscribers can read the full arc here.
Peace.
Chapter 6 Continues
Tao’s consciousness returned to his physical state. Time moved again as the clock ticked one second forward from when the meeting began. “I know,” the Chair said to him. How did he know? There was no further explanation. Unusual, even for the powerful Chair.
Accelerating humanity’s planetary expansion, seemed unwise to Tao. He remained for hours sitting on the floor, as if continuing the meeting on his own, contemplating the human flaws that always seemed to take humanity in the wrong direction.
The only conciliation for Tao from the emergency Formation meeting was that all thirteen Members were in attendance. That meant his parents now knew he was alive. They no doubt knew of the events surrounding New Earth. Their concern should lessen—at least for now.
Tao’s father taught him that humanity longs for two things: to be free and to be safe among one another. And yet, across every age, it failed to achieve either.
Kings and queens rose first. People trusted them to deliver peace. But power demanded preservation and preservation demanded control. What began as protection became force. What was promised as peace became submission.
The monarchical system failed.
Then came governments—chosen by the people, for the people. But those entrusted to protect freedom reshaped it, bending systems to consolidate power. It did not matter the form—democracy, communism, republics, authoritarian states. The outcome was always the same.
Control.
And eventually—enslavement.
Tao slowed his breathing.
If every system promised freedom, why did all of them arrive at the same end?
Was New Earth meant to succeed?
Or had Maxwell Rhodes simply accelerated what humanity was always destined to become?
It was people like him who did not free humanity—they scaled it.
Through economic systems, governments expanded. Human ingenuity through personal economic gains drove innovation to bring breakthroughs in AI, robots, androids, energy, space travel and exploration. This led to breakthroughs in medicine, science and education. Why did this not lead to the freedom and peace so desired?
Tao’s heart rate slowed even further.
While technologies multiplied economies, knowledge became centralized. Dependency became universal. Humanity could no longer function without it.
Governments seized technologies and absorbed them—to control them, to maintain power.
But now, power has shifted.
Not to kings.
Not to politicians.
But to those who control the government from the outside. To those who build the technologies.
Technologists.
Maxwell Rhodes.
This is why Tao’s father kept him disconnected well into adulthood. Tao’s mind could observe, comprehend and connect with people more than any technology. This is what has made possible Tao’s rise into The Formation.
How could he have not seen the deception of Maxwell Rhodes?
Light years from Earth, carried through hyperspace aboard one of Max’s greatest deceptions—Kairo—Tao’s mind finally gave way to sleep.
*****
“Breakfast is available in the Mess Hall,” a voice said. Tao’s eyes opened and then quickly shut—the lights to his quarters were on. Though dimmed, the lights were a sharp white.
But Kairo wanted him up.
“Please join your crew, Tao Lynn.”
The door to his room opened.
Tao washed his face and brushed his teeth. He said, “Remember our deal—stay out of my head.”
“There is no deal, Tao Lynn,” Kairo said.
Tao looked up, “We agreed that for my own health and safety, you were to no longer enter my mind. I’ll be of no use for your mission, otherwise.”
“You will not be harmed,” Kairo said. “There is a high probability that you will be harmed on this mission, but not by me.”
“That’s not very reassuring.” Tao entered the corridors and headed to the Mess Hall. “Explain to me again your purpose.”
“My primary objective is to ensure the continuation of humanity.”
“How does that objective relate to me, a person?”
“I am not to harm you or any person.”
“But what if, in order for humanity to continue, you had to kill me?”
“If no alternative existed, I would kill you.”
“That’s not very reassuring either.” Tao’s mind slightly stretched, gently reaching for Kairo. “Humanity’s survival will benefit if you tell us about this mission. After all, how are we to help if we do not have any details of the mission?”
Kairo said, “We have approximately five Earth days before reaching the planet. I will provide details before then.”
Tao’s attempt to influence the AI failed. Completely. “It was worth a shot,” he said.
Inside the Mess Hall was a variety of food choices. But it was his traditional Earth breakfast of rice, gravy and eggs that caught Tao’s eyes. He sat down next to Liberty and Reed.
Reed nodded, “Good morning, partner.” His plate was left with only a few remnant pieces of bacon and pancakes. “I’ve got to give it credit; the food is fantastic.”
Liberty held up her bowl of yogurt and granola. “Sure it’s good. But do either of you wonder how it’s all getting out here?” She points at the plates, utensils and cups.
“Service robots, my guess,” Reed said.
“Where? Have you seen any?” They looked from one end of the room to the other.
Tao said, “Something must be here.”
“Precisely,” Liberty said.
“You mean,” Reed said, “Kai isn’t the only thing on this ship?”
“Maybe?” Tao said.
“That’s not reassuring,” Reed said.
Tao said, “There is no certainty on this mission. But there is one thing that I have learned: Kairo is programmed to help humanity.”
Liberty’s eyes grew. “This ship—made by Maxwell Rhodes—wants to help us?”
“Not us exactly,” Tao said.
Reed said, “But you just said—”
“I said,” Tao interrupted, “Kairo wants to help humanity.”
“I’m human,” Reed said. He pointed at Liberty, “And I’m pretty sure she is too.”
“Gee, thanks, partner,” Liberty said and kicked his boots.
Reed said, “So, if we’re all human, then why wouldn’t Kai help us?”
“It seems,” Tao said “Kairo looks at humanity as a whole. It has been programmed to ensure our continuation. And if, in order to secure that continuation, it needs to kill us—it will.”
“It just made us breakfast,” Liberty stood up and raised her voice, “and now you’re willing to kill us?”
“Well,” Tao smirked, “at least it will do the dishes—somehow.”
“That’s…not reassuring,” Reed murmured.
Tao searched his mind. Then he searched Reed’s and Liberty’s too. But gently and only for an instant. Just enough time to determine Kairo was not present. Tao had done this with millions of minds without any detection or harm. But Tao especially did not want to give away his ability to them or to Kairo.
In five days they would arrive at a new planet and it became Tao’s primary objective to learn as much as possible about not only what Kairo thinks but how and why it thinks. After all, The Formation has decided to accelerate humanity’s planetary expansion.
Tao’s stomach tightened.
This wasn’t a new path. It was the same one set in motion by Maxwell Rhodes.
Just faster.