To Blake,
Without the kickstart seven years ago, the Kuriosity Lab wouldn’t have happened. And we did it in a very different way.
To David,
Your drawings, insights into the human condition, and the occasional, gentle nag, got us here!
To every wonderfully “weird” student that I was fortunate to connect with. By searching for your truth and authenticity, you challenged me to discover mine!Keeping the faith!
Episode 1
Alien
What’s normal bores me. It’s only an excuse to feel safe. In these times, no matter how much we want that safety, it’s a losing proposition. But what do I know? When ordered to go right, I go left.
My attitude is costly. I’ve been called “weird,” “cocky,” and a lot worse. I’ve been dismissed with, “You’re just going through a defiant stage.”
Maybe they’re right, but I’ll take my chances. In my nearly two decades of life, I’ve been learning to trust my gut. This way I can’t blame others when I get stuck. I’ve been lucky. I seem to have a knack for getting out of trouble.
But this time it’s different. I’m lost in the middle of a storm climbing a mountain on an unknown planet in search of an observatory to deliver a package.
For what purpose? I wish I knew.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Nature Rules
This is my third day with no rest. I’ve been told that I’m in a race against time. I need to find this observatory and deliver this package before the sun rises, or I will have failed. If I don’t succeed, it will trigger some kind of dark even violent time.
An intense surge of wind and rain knocks me backwards. I’m feeling like a pinball in an old arcade game. I temporarily crouch behind a fallen tree
These gusts have been vicious. They’re snapping, even uprooting, trees. All that is alive, and able to move, has taken shelter long ago. I do not have that luxury.
I start again. Another wind blast pushes me around. This doesn’t feel like a fair fight, but I keep plowing ahead.
After two more hours, the wind starts to calm. But a quick drop in temperature brings shivers to my drenched and muddied body. Buttoning up, or shedding the excess water from my hat, doesn’t help at all.
Yet, comfort is hardly my main concern. With the weather clearing, I will have to deal with another powerful force. My thoughts turn to Zard. Soon he will be able to track me again. It spurs me to pick up the pace. He will not catch me.
><·><·><·><·><·><·><·><·><·><·><·><
Gatekeeper
I reach the edge of the pass and spot the bridge with my binocular glasses. I’ve been warned it can be dangerous to cross even in good conditions. There may even be a grumpy, old guard may be protecting it too.
But this is the most direct route to the observatory.
As I near, I spot the back of a figure lurking next to the bridge. It’s the size of a large human. It’s at least my height and built more thickly. It’s wearing what appears to be a trench coat without the bottom half. It moves awkwardly.
Maybe this thing will leave. I’d rather avoid it, but it remains by the entrance. I can’t wait. I’m running out of time.
I move closer. Maybe I can distract it and then zip over the bridge. I believe I have a speed advantage. What if I throw a stone off to the side? Will it go inspect where it lands?
My mind churns. I have to plan for the worst-case scenario. My fear is that it will not allow me to pass. If things go wrong, what are my options? Fight? Flight? I only have a knife.
There’s a tree nearby the bridge entrance. If it wants to fight, and I see there’s no way to win, I could get to the tree first. I believe I can climb higher than it can.
I’d rather show it that I’m not a threat. What goodwill gesture might it understand? What about the magnifying glass from my backpack as an offering? I will need to move slowly and keep my hands open and in sight. I’m not comfortable with any of this, but I can’t think of anything else.
“As ready as I’m going to be.”
`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`=`
Questions
I’m close enough that it will detect any sound I make. I actually want it to discover me now. Otherwise, I may frighten it and make it mad. I gently kick a small rock toward it.
I place the magnifying glass between my thumb and forefinger. I raise my other hand to signal a peaceful hello.
It swivels around and stands up in one continuous motion. I do a double take. What is it? A hybrid walrus? Its facial expression changes from neutral to surprise and then puzzlement.
It’s way bigger than I hoped—a foot taller and at least twice my weight. When our eyes lock, it lets out an ear-piercing bellow. I stagger back from the vibration. Fortunately, it doesn’t move forward to threaten me.
“What do I do next?’’ I ask myself trying to keep calm. I feel like I am dealing with a child—a very dangerous one.
“Do you know where you’re going?” It says clearly.
Startled, I answer, “Yes.” I speak slowly, so it will understand me. “I am looking for the observatory.”
“Of course! I know that,” it responds. “But why do you want to go there?”
I’m not only surprised at his command of my language, but how does he know where I’m going? And it is a “he.”
“I’m new on this planet and learning its ways. I’ve been directed to visit the observatory.”
I remind myself to remain cautious and be prepared for anything.
“Are you a player?” he asks.
“Huh?” I didn’t expect the random question. Since he has the upper hand, I go along. But does he mean a player of games, or a “playah,” or fully engaged in life?
He answers his own question. “I’m guessing that you are. Otherwise you would not be here. So, ready to play?”
I play it safe. “It depends on the game.”
“Oh, a cautious fellow. This game is always deliciously different. You will experience many things that you never have before.”
How does he know what I’ve experienced? My annoyance slips out. “I really don’t have time for this. I’m on a mission!”
It isn’t what he wants to hear. He roars again. But again, no movement toward me.
He calms himself before he speaks. “Your comment borders the fine line between arrogance and ignorance. I am a Gatekeeper for my People. My job is to see who you are, and what you stand up for. If you don’t want to play the game with me–such a pity–you have two other options. The first is to perform an experiment. Or, you can choose to answer the standard three questions.”
I realize I’m screwing up. My attitude is making both of our lives harder.
“What kind of experiment?” I ask.
“I will choose one,” he answers.
Since I have no idea what the experiment might be, I respond quickly: “Three questions, please.”
“You understand that if you cannot answer the questions adequately—and only I determine what ‘adequately’ means–you cannot pass? Do you agree to that?”
“Do I have a choice?” I answer with a tinge of sarcasm but hopefully not enough to upset him. At least, he will know that I’m not a pushover.
“You have a choice. You can always turn around.”
He pauses and waits. I remain silent.
“Good!” he says, “I so enjoy visitors. First question: ‘What are the five elements in every game?’”
“Oh, great,” I mumble to myself. I should have chosen to play a stupid game with him. Now I need to be mind based—rational. That word has always reminded me of “rations” and “rationing.” It allows people to cop out too often. Anyways, not my style.
I hear myself complaining. I refocus, “Ok, every game has a goal.”
“Yes, a mission,” he agrees, “And?”
“Every game has rules and players,” I add.
“Yes, yes, good, good!”
“Every game has a board, or a field, or a screen…”
“There are exceptions, but you’re on it. Every game has a specific environment!”
“That’s four,” I say aloud. It gives me a moment to collect my
thoughts. “What’s the fifth element?” I ask myself. Then out of nowhere,
a picture pops into my brain.
“Tools—something to play the game with.”
“Yes, Tools!” he chimes in. “Like a ball, or a weapon, to help you play. Congratulations! You’ve got all five! Every game has a Mission, Rules, Players, Environment, and Tools. We remember it by using the first letter of each of the elements: MR PET. It’s silly, but it comes in handy. And MR PET serves as a tool for more than just casual games. Sometimes we use it as a system to figure out how to choose a school or service—or even deal with a gatekeeper.”
He laughs with self-satisfaction.
“Okay, okay, second question. ‘How many qualities do all creatures, including worms, have in common?’”
“That’s simple. They all need food to survive.”
“Ok, that’s correct. Can you go to another level?”
“Don’t I get credit?” I complain.
“Yes, you do. Do you want to give another answer, or stick with one aspect, and hope that will be good enough?”
I respond to the challenge, “They move.”
“Yes, everything is vibrating. What else?” He asks encouragingly.
“They all need a certain degree of warmth.”
“Good. Keep going!”
I admit I’m enjoying this and have lost track of time—up to that moment. The thought of the time crunch tightens my mind and then my body—like a flowing liquid instantly freezing.
I think he notices.
“How about this? he says. “The prime directive for all living things is to move towards pleasure and away from pain. Whether it’s worms, with 100 cells for a brain, or you humans with nearly a billion times that. Your people discovered what happens when a human’s pleasure/emotional center is removed or decommissioned. The rational part is left to make decisions. And when a rational-only brain is asked to express preferences, it turns out that it doesn’t have any. Without emotions, whether it’s chocolate or vanilla, or Bach or Chuck Berry, it matters not. ‘Ration Al’ has no preferences without emotions.”
“Wow! Then why do we give so much weight to the rational?” I ask puzzled.
“There’s a balance between the two of course. But your people rely primarily on the rational as the standard. As a result, the Rules you’ve created may appear logical but the Mission is out of whack. If the Mission is distorted, the Rules only lead you to the distortion more quickly. Imagine if your society believed that the Mission of playing a really enjoyable piece of music was to perform it as quickly as possible. How much pleasure would be lost? The Mission is not very logical, and the rules to play it as fast as possible may be logical, but it doesn’t make sense. Ah, being sensible!
But that’s a rabbit hole we don’t have time for now,” he adds. “Next and final question. ‘Nearly all creatures have programming to predict and affect behavior. Your people discovered that as well. Are you aware of a specific method, a system, or rule of thumb, that you use to predict and affect behavior?”
I stand there in silence. I have no clue. I mean I went through something like that before meeting this walrus. I moved through a series of progressions as to what my actions might be. But I don’t have any system.
“Isn’t every situation different?” I offer weakly.
“I’m going to give you a break. I just asked you a very important question as to how you steer your human equipment. It has consequence. Not understanding this can, and has, caused you a lot of pain. On this planet, everyone is given numerous chances to grow and learn how to skillfully steer our equipment. Your Ancient Greeks called it Arete.”
He pauses. “Next time we meet we’ll discuss the importance of predict and affect.”
“Yes, ok.” It sounds reasonable. It will also give me some time to think more about his questions. Anyways, I need to get going.
“You may pass,” he says and graciously steps aside.
I say goodbye and immediately switch gears. I have this tricky rope bridge to navigate. But the questions he asked continue to rumble around in my mind. “Systems? What are mine?” My thought is interrupted. My next step is going to take my full attention.
ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ
Treacherous
The bridge is a bunch of ropes joined together in rectangles. Some of the ropes are frayed or torn. I have to get down on all fours. Every movement is a constant adjustment. It’s like dancing with spaghetti only with a back pack. My leg slips from the ropes. I need only to look once at the raging river hundreds of feet below to scare myself to success.
I sigh with relief when I reach the other side. The trail narrows and starts to elevate rapidly. The slick, loose rocks makes footing slippery. Fortunately,
there is a chain railing. But my progress slows.
The wind returns.
“Can’t catch a break!” I mutter.
I scold myself for complaining. It just won’t help.
“Just focus on the next step. That’s all you need to do.”
That thought works for a few minutes.
Why didn’t I ask the walrus how far it’s to the observatory? And why didn’t I get his name?” He feels almost like a friend. And I was ready to do damage to him.
My eyes focus on the steep drop to my left. For a moment, I struggle with images of hurtling into the abyss and never delivering the package. My hand checks my inner jacket pocket to see if the book is secure.
“Why did I have to be the one stuck with this thing? I didn’t ask for this book!”
My self-pity turns costly. I lose track of where my foot needs to land next. With my hand still inside my pocket, I slip and lose traction. I need both hands to break the momentum but can’t recover quickly enough. My head hits the ground. I start sliding off the trail descending into a free fall. I reach out grasping for anything to slow my fall. I twist my body toward land. My shoulder bangs into an outcropping of sharp, wet rocks, but I’m going too fast to hang on. I continue downwards.
The shock from hitting the rocks spreads to my neck and arm producing a most intense jolt of pain. But I’ve got a much bigger problem.
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
Casualty
I begin bouncing off tree limbs and branches. I desperately try to hook onto a sturdy branch. No go. I’m still moving too fast. The trees on the mountain’s edge have long dangling roots. I grab at some, but they tear away. My speed slows a bit.
I continue falling picking up speed. I try grabbing at more tree roots.
“Got it!” as I jerk to a stop. It takes a couple minutes before I stabilize. I feel fortunate and relieved. Yet, my life is dangling by mere threads—or roots.
Carefully I start pulling myself up to safety. My adrenaline temporarily numbs the pain in my shoulder. Drained of energy, I finally reach solid ground. I remain on all fours with head and body sagging. I never imagined that being drenched, exhausted, and in pain could feel this good. Unfortunately, the agony in my shoulder increases. I remind myself that I’ve got to keep going. I’ve lost precious time and have to retrace my steps. I grit my teeth and continue up the trail.
I spot a cave entrance. The desire to dry out, rest, and inspect my shoulder—even for a short time—is overpowering. Yet, I need to be cautious. A large, hungry animal may be awaiting inside.
I turn on my flashlight and enter slowly. I scan the floor, walls, and ceiling. No one or nothing here. A little clammy but dry enough. Off to side, there’s a fire pit with faint embers.
“Whose fire was this and will they return?” I wonder with some concern.
I restart the fire. I lay out my bedding and soggy clothes. My body takes over deeply exhaling. I swallow a painkiller from my med kit. Once settled, my attention turns to the package.
⎝∙ ∙⎞⎛∙ ∙⎠⎝∙ ∙⎞⎛∙ ∙⎠⎝∙ ∙⎞⎛∙ ∙⎠⎝∙ ∙⎞
The Book
I check to see if the package is still dry. It is. For the first time in over three days ago, I have the chance to inspect it.
“If I’m risking my life, don’t I have the right to at least see what it contains?”
It’s true that I was never given permission. I was never told not to open it either.
“If I can discover a clue to make this mission easier, wouldn’t being as knowledgeable as possible make sense?”
It’s still dry. I unwrap it carefully. It’s definitely a book.
“Do I really want to mess with this book now? It may have some kind of power. Why would they have asked me to stake my life on its delivery if it isn’t valuable and powerful?”
My defenses are low. “Maybe I should wait?”
But that’s not me. “It’s just a book,” I tell myself.
I open to a random page. Without warning, an image shoots out of the book and hovers six feet in front of me.
Then, it shoots straight through my body. I don’t feel much, but I slam the book shut. The image is gone. I am surprised, relieved, and curious. I hesitate to open the book again. But I do. This time more cautiously. I wait. Nothing happens. After reading just one sentence, I stop cold.
( ) ⎥⎥⎥ Ever shoot rubber bands out a window?
“This is what I’ve been risking my life for? Is someone playing a big, cosmic joke on me?”
Then I burst into uncontrollable laughter. Tears run down my cheeks. How ironic! Shooting rubber bands from my bedroom window was something that I did frequently as a kid. I was often sent to my room for violating some silly rule. To pass the time, I’d use rubber bands to hit objects outside.
Once in high school, my friend and I were at a fancy supermarket trying to pick up girls. When we gave up, he jumped into a grocery cart. Without hesitation, I drove him through the aisles at speed.
My friend, who’s a big guy, barely fit into the cart. As silly as that was, the best part was his in-your-face beaming smile at everyone we passed. Any adventurous eight-year old would have been proud. But he was twice that age and three times the size.
We were violating some unwritten rule for proper public behavior: “Be predictably boring.” Dozens of people pretended not to see us. Only one woman, who stocked the hot food bar, dared look us in the eye. She gave us a big, wide-eyed smile of encouragement with a nod of admiration. However, she was the only one, and we were drawing the attention of the authorities. We quickly hightailed it out of the store.
Later that day my Mom’s friend, who was there, let her know. I was sent to my room. I started shooting rubber bands out the window.
“What is this book?” I hesitate for a moment. But now, more than ever, I feel I must check it out. I turn to the beginning.
When the images stop, I see this.
Book of
Dodecahedron
Discovery is the greatest high.
-E.O. Wilson
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!
This book contains the wisdom we’ve acquired from the past
It’s now your present.
On this planet, how you choose to use the book
Will determine your future.
It’s in the form of a mystery wrapped inside a game.
Like our expanding universe, the more we discover
The more there is to know.
It is filled with questions, experiments, and more games.
And if you play this game well, as successful explorers know, the rewards are humbling.
You choose what interests you.
If there is an item that attracts your attention for more than a fleeting moment, highlight the code before the question.
Or, cut and paste what interests you to form a new document.
There is no need to answer any item.
As a result, the mystery you unravel will be different than anyone else’s.
You will receive the experience that is unique to you.
^xS What surprise would you like to repeat? Remember the feeling of an unexpected day off? Or the best gift, or a great kindness, that you didn’t see coming your way?
][][C How about a new holiday? How about a “Scientists Day” where we use “experiment and modify” to steer our lives instead of lose-lose reality of trial and error?
/’/’I Are you primarily a whole-to-parts learner or parts-to-whole learner? Knowing this can make a big difference in your life.
∆/V Can you guess how these were created?
Answer: Both are photographed in a dark dome. On top is a single rapidly vibrating white string with a rotating light of different colors shining from below onto that string. The next photo are glow sticks with prisms bending their light.
<\/> What game has been played before the dawn of history, and is still played around your world today?
Why is it still so popular? Is the game Hunting or Hunted? In other words, Hide and Seek? Are these women the hunted, or the hunters?
Or, could the oldest game be Follow the Leader? What about No-Leader-No-Follower?
:[:]:I What skill would you want to do brilliantly by just snapping your fingers?
<^> What is causing these very different reactions at the same event? Is there a lesson going on here?
√\/I What rule would you like to break and not be punished for?
oioV Using maps and compasses, explorers have discovered great treasures. Ever see this interactive map?
https://earth.nullschool.net/
\|\N Spin the map to Antarctica. The winds around Antarctica are the engine to your planet’s weather.
⎛⎛⎛I When you find yourself confused, and in a negative thought pattern, life is painful. And every mental or emotional construct doesn’t work. A great “go to” is to get physically active. It may be the last thing you want to do. Yet, automatically you will be rewarded with feel good chemicals moving through your brain. When you feel good, the whole world changes. Just don’t try to run a world-class time your first few times out. Here’s some fun and different ways to be physical.
It all starts with finding something you enjoy doing. What physical activities did you enjoy as a kid?
|{|}| Imagine a formula that explains how
coastlines, mountain ranges and cloud formations are formed. It was discovered in a dream. Check out a video on Mandlebrot fractals.
√][I What if you had a magic carpet and you could visit anywhere real or imagined, where would you go?
{\} Do you remember what were you doing when completely absorbed? Perhaps, like the person who carved this wood sculpture?
Or perhaps building a 20 foot wide dome above two swinging 8’ by 8’ doors?
*( )* What could this fellow be thinking?
//// Ever grow anything?
*/\* What songs can change your mood? Do you have playlists for songs that energize you? Or, that can move you into rhythm? Or, calms you when needed? Or, is good for studying?
( ) ///> What if you knew there was a more effective way to learn? It’s happened before on your planet. The Ancient Greeks coined the term “school.” It literally meant leisure. Through leisure they developed and codified activities like drama,
physics, geometry, history, architecture, philosophy, the Olympics, and astronomy.
( ) /\<> What’s the difference between a million and a billion?
Answer:
One million seconds = 11.6 days
One billion seconds = 31.6 years.
One hundred billion = estimate of how many galaxies exist or the number of cells in your brain.
( ) ←↑→ Bucky Fuller, designer, inventor of the geodesic dome, and futurist, wrote: “Don’t change people, change environments.” If you agree, what would you change?
( ) ïηϒ Do you understand that you’re greater than any of your thoughts?
`’`’` What if you were bored, or wanted to get into something new, and you keep procrastinating? Director Ron Lesson offers this: Take just 10 minutes to investigate what you’ve been postponing. It’s only 10 minutes. And if you like what’s happening, keep going. Otherwise you can check it off your list.
Do you have a “want” and/or “to do” list?
\\// Over 4,000 years ago, a high-level civilization was located in the Indus Valley (parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India) that had no wars for 700 years. They even had indoor plumbing while your major civilized cities of London and Paris installed these a mere 175 years ago. Yet deciphering the Harrapan symbols is still a mystery.
.:’: Ever make a daydream, or thought experiment, real? Do artists, creative scientists, explorers of all varieties, like Richard Feynman, have a different way to look at the world? If so, what do they know we don’t?
I start to fade…
I awaken with a shiver and the book open.
“Better get moving. Dawn is the deadline.”
I estimate there are six hours before my time is up. I quickly pack and head out. I feel a bit stronger. It’s still raining but not as intensely. At least, I’m dry.
The mountain has softened its incline. I start moving at a pace built for speed. The darkness is broken only with an occasional appearance from a waning moon. I stumble. The unexpected jerk ignites the irritated shoulder nerves. The intense shot of pain is a fresh reminder of how close to disaster I was earlier today.
I need to change this negative energy. It’s too costly. I start grunting in rhythm. Each grunt is louder than the last. But the pain from my stumble keeps triggering a sense of being out of control. My thoughts refuse to settle. They’re like a pack of starving dogs.
“I did not ask for this! I do not accept this destiny! I will take revenge on those who put me here!”
My rant surprises me. I sound like my former mentor whenever he lost his cool—which happened a lot. It’s why I left him.
I breathe in and out slowly and remind myself: “I am still here. I can accomplish this mission. But time is ticking. Concentrate!” Out of nowhere, I break into a childhood song:
“Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.”
Strangely, I feel better. I would’ve never guessed that this simple song would have been the answer to the book’s music question about how to change a mood. I keep singing until I’m a rock’s throw from the mountain peak.
The storm is moving out. Stars are beginning to appear in the sky. As I near the top, a couple of lightning bolts explode on the summit. Deafening booms of thunder match the visual effect. It is a stunning experience, but I’m far enough away to not be physically shocked. Somehow, I feel no fear. I’m witnessing nature at a most magical and powerful moment. A surge of gratitude overwhelms me.
I wait for the last part of the storm to pass before I move to the top.
“There it is! YES!”
I’m filled with a childlike joy. How many times have I experienced this kind of happiness as a kid? Total freedom! “Game On!
Suddenly, I detect the sound of an engine in the distance. Zard is coming. He’s getting closer. I need to push on.
|****|****|****|****|****|
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