Chazumi
Trained& Motivated Killer
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2006
- Messages
- 1,254
Finished reading a book by Arthur C. Clarke few weeks ago. Second time reading the series: Rama. Long story, and off the subject, but great read if you are into sci fi.
Anyways, in the book they meet an advanced alien race who millenia ago adopted a type of government referred to as Optimization. It did not delve too deeply into this subject but I thought it was a rather interesting concept and just wanted some input from you all to see what you thought (and decrease my boredom....)
Optimization is a form of government where everything done is optimized. You are born, with the proper authorization, to perform specialized tasks. Every day you perform this task until you no longer justify the resources needed to maintain yourself. After this occurs, you are given a notice to remedy this situation. If within the alotted time you are still not contributing enough to said society to justify what is being spent on you, you are scheduled for termination.
The "head" of this chain of command is known as the "Cheif Optimizer" whos specific duties were not made clear in the book, but overall is the ruler.
During war time, those whos profiles deem them suitable enough to defend the colony are submitted to several weeks of war training and then terminated a short time after victory, unless of course they are defeated. I may also mention that war only occurs after it has been determined that the threat of the entire colony is at risk, and all other diplomatic options have failed.
Another interesting characteristic of this form of government is that everyone still has free will up until a certain age. When you are born, the colony invests resources for your education and upbringing, and then at a certain age you are given two choices:
The first is to join the "Optimized" society, and begin learning what your special duties will be to obtain maximum productivity from you directed towards the colony. You will also be sterilized (painlessly
), because it has been determined that sexuality is the driving force of every living thing and leads to undesireable traits such as aggression and so forth. In this optimized society your life would be very comfortable, as long as you are providing enough resources or something similar to justify your existance.
The second option is to be moved to an "Alternate Domain" where you will need to find your own way to survive. You will not be sterilized, or terminated before your time, but will not enjoy the many benefits of living in an "Optimized" society.
Anyways, I thought this sounded like an almost flawless form of government when I read about it the first time. I had forgotten about it until recently when I read the series a second time. I know that human behavior is unpredictable, and for us to adopt this form of government (at least in this day and age) would most likely be a total flop, but by god when I am ruler of the galaxy you all better be prepared to make your decision!
Let's hear your thoughts! And ask questions, I think I may have left a bit out from the book....
Anyways, in the book they meet an advanced alien race who millenia ago adopted a type of government referred to as Optimization. It did not delve too deeply into this subject but I thought it was a rather interesting concept and just wanted some input from you all to see what you thought (and decrease my boredom....)
Optimization is a form of government where everything done is optimized. You are born, with the proper authorization, to perform specialized tasks. Every day you perform this task until you no longer justify the resources needed to maintain yourself. After this occurs, you are given a notice to remedy this situation. If within the alotted time you are still not contributing enough to said society to justify what is being spent on you, you are scheduled for termination.
The "head" of this chain of command is known as the "Cheif Optimizer" whos specific duties were not made clear in the book, but overall is the ruler.
During war time, those whos profiles deem them suitable enough to defend the colony are submitted to several weeks of war training and then terminated a short time after victory, unless of course they are defeated. I may also mention that war only occurs after it has been determined that the threat of the entire colony is at risk, and all other diplomatic options have failed.
Another interesting characteristic of this form of government is that everyone still has free will up until a certain age. When you are born, the colony invests resources for your education and upbringing, and then at a certain age you are given two choices:
The first is to join the "Optimized" society, and begin learning what your special duties will be to obtain maximum productivity from you directed towards the colony. You will also be sterilized (painlessly
), because it has been determined that sexuality is the driving force of every living thing and leads to undesireable traits such as aggression and so forth. In this optimized society your life would be very comfortable, as long as you are providing enough resources or something similar to justify your existance.The second option is to be moved to an "Alternate Domain" where you will need to find your own way to survive. You will not be sterilized, or terminated before your time, but will not enjoy the many benefits of living in an "Optimized" society.
Anyways, I thought this sounded like an almost flawless form of government when I read about it the first time. I had forgotten about it until recently when I read the series a second time. I know that human behavior is unpredictable, and for us to adopt this form of government (at least in this day and age) would most likely be a total flop, but by god when I am ruler of the galaxy you all better be prepared to make your decision!
Let's hear your thoughts! And ask questions, I think I may have left a bit out from the book....
It sounds like communism to me. 
) I don't recall reading this one from Clarke.
