Chapter 183: Who decided that life must live on the earth's surface?

As the sociologists finished speaking, the scene was immediately plunged into silence and deep thought.

The "small self," the "ego," and the "greater self"—these were not unfamiliar concepts to psychologists.

But they hadn't expected that the "small self," which dominated 99% of the people in the world, was so prevalent.

Professor Hua Yunfeng and Old Feng were rendered speechless for a moment.

Neither of them knew what to say.

Were they supposed to modify the social framework?

Let everyone just give up and slack off?

Wouldn't that throw society into total chaos?

Yet, the development of society truly does not require smart people!

The suffering of the common people is, of course, visible, but if they are given a stable environment and a happy life, what happens if they stop working? Who will drive the economy?

It has been like this throughout every dynasty—just like the slogan "Overthrow the Qing, Restore the Ming"; it was merely a slogan to make those fools willingly lay down their lives for them.

Professor Hua Yunfeng and Old Feng had absolutely no idea what to say, so they could only stare at the giant screen to see how Jiang Zhe would explain it.

It was at this moment that Jiang Zhe's voice came from the giant screen once again.

"So, the answer is out—"

"Under the influence of physical factors, human civilization can never exist for long; at most, ten thousand, a hundred thousand, or a million years."

"Therefore, we humans will naturally seek ways that are more suitable for human survival."

"Since we humans are carbon-based life forms, this type of life form is the weakest in the universe; it cannot withstand various harsh environments!"

"Consequently, we will try every possible method to transform and align human civilization, or even approach the existence of carbon-based life."

Saying this, he picked up the whiteboard on the desk and aimed it at the camera.

The words [Mechanical Civilization Era] appeared before everyone.

Seeing the prompt, the audience and experts were not unfamiliar with it.

To survive for a long time, metal life is indeed currently the only mainstream option.

However, this is a secondary choice; if a breakthrough could truly be made in medicine, carbon-based life would still be quite good.

"As everyone can see, in the future, we humans will definitely, definitely enter the Mechanical Civilization Era!"

"Before the medical industry can completely overcome terminal illnesses, and before we can significantly extend human lifespan."

"Then our scientists will surely lead the entire population into the mechanical era; replacing all organs and limbs that drag humans down."

"If the heart is broken, replace it with a mechanical one; if the spleen is broken, replace it; if the skull is broken, replace it."

"Replace everything that drags down human life, and in the end, keep only one thing."

At this point, Jiang Zhe pointed to his brain with a serious expression. "Keep this, and for humans, it is enough!"

Suddenly, Professor Hua Yunfeng in the lecture hall had a look of sudden realization.

"Could it be that Jiang Zhe is saying there are no carbon-based organisms in the universe? No, no, no, that's not it; it's that there are no carbon-based technological civilizations in the universe; all that exists are silicon-based and mechanical civilizations?"

Beside him, Old Feng's eyes widened, and he asked in disbelief, "Are you saying that even if there are carbon-based biological civilizations, those carbon-based biological civilizations definitely cannot transmit electromagnetic signals, and we humans are an exception? Currently, human technology is in a phase of rapid development; give us a few hundred years, and we will quickly enter a metal-based technological civilization. So, are you saying that Jiang Zhe's meaning is—only advanced alien civilizations can transmit signals, and those civilizations do not need to live on habitable planets? That even on places like the Moon, Mars, or Venus, those mechanical life forms can survive?"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused astonishment among the astronomers in the audience.

In a flash, they understood, but it seemed like something was still not quite right.

Professor Hua Yunfeng hurriedly shook his head. "That is indeed what I meant, but even if those are metal civilizations or silicon-based life civilizations, they should still be transmitting signals; yet, there are no signals in the universe!"

Just then, Jiang Zhe began to ask an interesting question.

"Everyone, I would like to ask a question right now."

"Please listen, everyone!"

Facing the camera, he smiled slightly. "If we have now reached a Level 1 technological civilization, then where do you think we humans would settle and live for a long time on Earth?"

When this was said, the audience looked confused; they didn't know what use this question had.

Even so, it sparked a heated discussion among the audience.

"What does this mean?"

"This is a bit profound. Level 1 civilization means that we humans can achieve Consciousness Immortality; at the same time, we can move freely on Earth; which means we can enter the Earth's core, mantle, and crust."

"Are we living on the mantle now?"

"To the person above, your question is slightly funny amidst its seriousness. We humans live on the outermost layer of the Earth's crust."

"Sorry, I didn't go to middle school; however, if we really were a Level 1 civilization, then the surface would certainly be a good way to live, with plenty of renewable resources, but I still don't really like living on the surface because there are too many natural disasters—floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions. It would be great if we could live inside the Earth's crust; we would only experience basic earthquakes and wouldn't experience more of the surface's world-ending disasters. If the dinosaurs had lived underground back then, it would have been much safer."

Originally, the question was being discussed intensely by the audience.

Until a middle-aged man with only an elementary school education raised this point.

Almost instantly, it left most of the audience dumbfounded and feeling incredulous.

Regardless of whether the Earth's crust is suitable for living, currently, humans live on the surface, where disasters are unimaginably numerous.

If we really had this level of technology, it would naturally be better for humans to live underground. How safe it would be underground, with great benefits and few drawbacks.

Soon, the barrage in the live stream room was flying rapidly.

"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!"

"This middle-aged man's answer is so sharp; yeah, if we really were a Level 1 civilization, we would definitely have to migrate underground!"

"Damn, that's just too sharp; if technology allowed it, who the hell would want to live on the surface? It's so disaster-prone."

"I think I finally understand the meaning of Jiang Zhe's question!"

"..."

This question also received a definitive answer on Professor Zhuang's side.

"Xiao Jiang, are you reminding the public that advanced civilizations never live on the disaster-prone surface?"

Once this question was raised, Zhou Qing and Zhou Qingqing, who were nearby, were dumbfounded.

They considered themselves top students and academic geniuses, but they had truly never thought about Jiang Zhe's question.

Thinking about it carefully, although it was science fiction, it really wasn't without reason!

If one could really live underground, who would be willing to live on the surface with unstable climates? How many resources have been consumed by disasters?

If one were truly living underground, if resources were lacking, one could just go to the surface to get them; the surface is almost impossible for humans to inhabit for a long time.

Zhou Qing couldn't help but swallow her saliva, saying in disbelief, "It seems that's really the case."

Her younger sister, Zhou Qingqing, looked excited and hurriedly raised her hand. "I know, I finally know! Perhaps alien civilizations are not on the surface of the planet at all; it's even more likely they live underground on the planet. Only underground can they avoid a bunch of meaningless natural disasters. How safe it is underground! The surface of the planet is actually not suitable for humans to live on at all."

"And the universe is full of surfaces that are not suitable for civilization to live on, but maybe the temperatures underground on those planets are just right?"

...

Inside the leadership conference room.

Old Zhao and Old Wang were both stunned.

Even with their intelligence, they discovered the crux of the problem.

Old Zhao said incredulously, "That's right! If we were a Level 1 civilization, we definitely wouldn't live on the surface, and even if we did, we would need to build a weapon to defend against meteorites!"

Old Wang said excitedly, "If we lived underground, we wouldn't have to consider natural disasters. After entering the underground world, we could extract more resources to develop more and more powerful technology."

Wang Lin hurriedly nodded in agreement. "Exactly, the two leaders are absolutely right. Jiang Zhe might really be giving us a great line of thinking: Aliens might all be living underground, rather than on the surface."

Xiao Shiyi couldn't help but exclaim, "How exactly is Brother Jiang's train of thought arranged? This question sounds like a sci-fi setting at first glance, but if you ponder it carefully, the underground is indeed a place where one can live in long-term peace. Of course, the prerequisite is having sufficient scientific technology to break through the Earth's crust."

One small question from Jiang Zhe instantly opened up the line of thinking for countless people.

Who stipulated that the planet's surface is the most suitable place for humans to live?

And why can't we live underground?

If the underground environment is harsh, we can just modify it.

Just then, Jiang Zhe listened to the barrage reported by the director in his earpiece, all of which were filled with tones of disbelief and incredulity.