312: Chapter 312 Representatives of Human Civilization

Lin Fang had thought a lot about the company's development in the real world. He had even considered directly replacing all the high-level officials of various countries with brain-control chips or Clones.

This way, the company could easily rule the world, with no one obstructing its progress.

But after some thought, Lin Fang abandoned this seemingly foolproof plan, as it was too idealistic, or rather, this model gravely underestimated the complexity and resilience of the real world.

Not to mention the difficulty of carrying out such large-scale control and maintaining long-term secrecy under the strict intelligence and security systems of various countries, even if this step were achieved, the system would still be precarious.

A small-scale operation might be hidden, but once it expands, advisors, relatives, and even daily service personnel who have dealt with high-ranking officials for years would eventually notice something amiss.

At that point, global vigilance would be counterproductive. More crucially, a nation is never just composed of a few top leaders. Below the high-level are the middle-level who connect above and below, and below the middle-level are the grassroots rooted in people's livelihoods. Even if Clones secured high positions, if the directives issued did not align with the interests of the middle-level or deviated from the demands of the grassroots, they would either be outwardly obeyed but inwardly defied, or directly trigger unrest, ultimately failing to maintain control.

The relationships between people are too complex to be solved by simple chips.

In 1967, Milgram conducted an experiment where he asked 296 residents of the American Midwest to forward letters to a stockbroker in Boston, providing only his name and no address. If they didn't know him, they were to forward it to the acquaintance most likely to know the recipient and record the forwarding path.

Ultimately, 64 letters successfully reached the recipient, Jacob Smith, a success rate of approximately 21.6%. Among the successfully delivered letters, the fewest transfers were 2, the most were 10, and the average number of transfers was only 5.5.

The conclusion was that human society exhibits a significant small-world effect; any two strangers can be connected through an average of 6 intermediaries. This conclusion is now simplified into the Six Degrees of Separation theory.

Third-Party Technology is also built upon human civilization.

Therefore, Lin Fang will try his best to prevent the company from standing against humanity. His current goal is simply to ensure the company always remains a representative of human civilization.

A very small wish.

——

The next day, just as dawn broke, news of Third-Party Technology's actions last night had spread like wildfire across the world; it was beyond what

"Rod of God becomes reality, Third-Party Technology's Space-Based Weapons deter global threats!" — Agence France-Presse.

"Ultimate non-nuclear deterrence? Third-Party Technology's Space-Based Weapons unveiled, multiple countries urgently convene national defense security meetings!" — Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

"Intercontinental precision strike! Space-based hegemony a foregone conclusion? Third-Party Technology confirms Space-Based Weapons combat capability, global uproar!" — Kyodo News.

"India Government reports casualties from unknown tsunami." — India Continent Daily.

"World environmental activist Greta Thunberg publicly condemns Third-Party Technology for polluting marine environment." — World Entertainment News.

"Central Continent Military Industry stocks rise."

Regarding yesterday's impact, Third-Party Technology also sincerely posted an announcement and apology statement on its official website, promising to compensate coastal areas affected by last night's Space-Based Weapons test and to donate 500 million US dollars to the International Children's Protection Fund.

As soon as this statement was released, netizens worldwide started arguing again, with every related forum becoming a hotbed of fierce debate.

"Brothers, I suddenly have a terrifying thought... what if, and I mean if, they really use this power to forcibly implement some kind of order... for example, prohibiting the proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction, forcibly disarming certain regions, or even intervening in international issues? Would our world then become a world controlled by a company?"

"Did the commenter above forget what the Five Great Powers do?"

"Although the methods are frightening, if it can truly stop wars and eliminate those maggots stirring up trouble in the dark corners of the world... I think it's acceptable."

"I disagree, this is blatant terrorism! If they can bomb an uninhabited island today, they can threaten us today!"

"Has Third-Party Technology ever targeted civilians before? This time they are clearly killing the chicken to scare the monkeys..."

Global netizens were roughly divided into three groups: one watching, one supporting, and one opposing.

The observers were the most numerous, supporters hailed technology as leading the future, revering Third-Party Technology as the hope for human civilization's progress, while opponents had various reasons.

But regardless of the controversy, everyone understood one fact: Third-Party Technology was no longer a mere commercial company, but an entity wielding ultimate deterrence, capable of influencing the global landscape.

——

At this moment, Lin Fang finally answered a call from a high-ranking official of Central Continent.

"Minister Zhang, I've been quite busy these past few days and missed your calls, I apologize," Lin Fang said, sitting lazily in a chair. "May I ask what Minister Zhang needs me for?"

"Comrade Lin Fang, you... you're still alive?"

The person on the other end seemed quite surprised by the sudden connection, appearing somewhat disbelieving.

In fact, many informed outsiders believed Lin Fang had died in Houston; that explosion, seemingly an accident, was actually a precise assassination targeting him, aimed at severing Third-Party Technology's backbone and dismantling this emerging force. Third-Party Technology's current frenzied actions were merely retaliation.

All those who previously knew Lin Fang was alive had died on that island.

Unsurprisingly, many people were celebrating that the explosion might have removed this influential figure. Many countries secretly believed Third-Party Technology was now headless, and the deterrence of Space-Based Weapons was merely a spent force, waiting to see this giant collapse.

"Minister Zhang seems surprised by the news of my being alive?" Lin Fang revealed a profound smile.

"Comrade Lin Fang..."

The voice on the other end deepened, stating solemnly, "Regarding that attack, we were not aware of it beforehand. It was only when their operation began that we received some whispers, but before we could notify you, the explosion had already occurred."

"I guarantee with my integrity, there is no falsehood in my words."

Minister Zhang's tone remained grave, clearly aware of the far-reaching implications of the matter.

Lin Fang spoke calmly, his tone betraying no ripples, "I naturally trust Minister Zhang. Central Continent would not do anything detrimental to me."