Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 147 Different Factions, Same Goal (5k)

St. Paul's District, Hamburg, West Germany

Manager Feng of Jinlong Store has almost forgotten that he has another identity.

A melodious female voice came from the Panda brand radio on the counter:

"But upon waking, he remained an observer."

This song has become Gu Zhengqiu's signature work, and it can be heard playing on Chinese radio stations every few days.

Because it was written by Lin Ran, one of the most famous Chinese people of this era, this song has become increasingly popular among Chinese people over time.

Remaining a bystander is actually quite in line with the current mindset of many Chinese people: honestly making money and living their lives well. Politics is too far removed from our lives.

As Manager Feng listened, he thought about the task he had received that day.

He only has one name, Chu Ze, which is a transliteration and not even in German.

How could he know which Chu Ze it was?

He does know about computers and semiconductors.

Lately, news reports have been full of stories about the technological singularity.

The encrypted message he received, when translated, contained only a few words:
Chu Ze, a computer expert, has made groundbreaking discoveries.

With just one name, Chu Ze, which was a transliteration of pinyin, Manager Feng was really having a headache.

However, Sun Youyu's arrival and his words soon made him realize the gravity of the situation.

"Old Feng, do you have Professor Lin's novel 'The Truman Show'? I'll be going on a ship again in a few days, and I'm thinking of buying a copy to read on the ship," Sun Youyu said.

Shopkeeper Feng waved his hand: "No, it's only just been released in New York, where am I supposed to buy it?"

European publishers probably haven't even reached an agreement yet.

"Once you get off the ship in New York, you can just buy one from any store."

"The Truman Show" is quite famous in the Chinese-speaking world.

After all, what happened to Lin Ran might not be reported in English newspapers, but it would definitely be reported in Chinese newspapers.

Like the adaptation of Lin Ran's dream into "The Truman Show," which was reported by the American Chinese Daily, Chinese newspapers around the world then plagiarized the American Chinese Daily's report and turned it into a new news article.

Sun Youyu leaned against the counter and asked, "Hey, Lao Feng, have you ever heard of a German expert named Chu Ze?"
I've heard he's a pioneer in the field of computers. Since computers are so popular lately, I'd like to visit him; it's always good to learn more.

Manager Feng's eyes narrowed immediately.

He knew Sun Youyu's true identity, although it was just a guess without concrete evidence, but he was pretty sure he was right.

Your identity will be revealed unintentionally in the details.

Although Sun Youyu leaned against his counter with a nonchalant air, his posture was not standard and was too stiff.

People usually stand like this, and when they walk, they will more or less have uneven feet.

Firstly, it's caused by malnutrition; secondly, improper standing or sitting posture will naturally lead to uneven feet.

However, a close observation of Sun Youyu's gait reveals that although his walk shows no signs of military service, he does not walk with uneven feet.

This doesn't match the image he's pretending to have.

Even if the other party is not a retired soldier, because if they are soldiers, especially those who retired from the battlefields of China in that era, they would more or less have physical discomfort due to long journeys, short raids, and travels all over the country.

But the other party didn't. They were clearly from a wealthy family who got in directly, and then probably experienced a decline in their family fortunes and ended up overseas, coming to Hamburg to do this kind of work.

This is Manager Feng's guess.

This was just one of the many details he observed.

Even reading books—which sailor would think about reading books or learning more knowledge?

Chinese sailors, especially those who have been sailing for many years, do not all smoke, drink, or play cards on board.

Even if they're just bragging and joking, they don't actually read books.

All signs pointed to Sun Youyu's abnormality.

Manager Feng could tell at a glance which side you were on if you were acting abnormally.

After all, I'm on this side, and you're on the other side.

The other party also mentioned Chu Ze, which immediately alerted Manager Feng.

Since the other side also wants to poach this person, it means that this person is indeed very important.

"How would I, a general store owner, know anything about computer experts? It's completely unrelated!" Manager Feng looked bewildered. "Were you drunk yesterday? Did you ask the wrong person today?"

Sun Youyu chuckled and said, "No, I was just thinking that Manager Feng is very knowledgeable, so I thought I'd come and ask you."

After all, you also sell radios here; radios are pretty much like computers, aren't they?

Manager Feng then inquired, "There must be quite a few computer experts in Germany, right? What's so special about Chu Ze?"

Sun Youyu waved his hand: "It's nothing special. I just saw the name in the newspaper and asked casually."

Manager Feng didn't press further about what newspaper it was. "Oh, I see."

Sun Youyu genuinely didn't know who Manager Feng worked for.

Because Manager Feng's father ran this Golden Dragon General Store, and Manager Feng stayed in Hamburg for more than 20 years after taking over the business.

NAZI came and went, but Manager Feng was the only Chinese who persevered.

It's important to know that around 45, after China declared war, life was very difficult for Chinese people in Germany.

Having never left Germany, Sun Youyu had no idea that Manager Feng had this identity.

Manager Feng made a quick decision: they had to act immediately.

If Chu Ze is taken away by Sun Youyu, failing the mission is a minor issue, but losing him to the other side is a major one.

Fortunately, as a local strongman in Hamburg, his connections were far superior to Sun Youyu's.

He quickly learned the news from a mathematics professor.

"Chu Ze? You mean Conrad Chus?"

Chu Ze and Chu Si sound similar, so we'll use Chu Si from now on.

"He did indeed do some pioneering work in the field of computers."

But the jobs he did weren't very good.

He had finally completed the Z4 and delivered it to ETH Zurich. Zurich had high hopes for him, and he himself boasted that the Z4 was no less than BINAC.

As a result, the Z4 never worked properly and was essentially an unusable machine.

Germany lacked the necessary environment for developing computers; it was only then that America or Soviet Russia accumulated the necessary technological expertise.

I don't know where he is now, but after the Z4's failure, I guess nobody wants to buy his computers anymore.

If his Z4 had worked, we wouldn't have had to buy computers from IBM at such a high price.

After listening, Manager Feng felt that this was probably the person he was looking for. He then said with a forced smile, "Professor, aren't you a mathematics professor? You shouldn't need a computer, right?"

The other person sighed and said, "It's all because of America's professor. After he proposed a solution to the Four Color Theorem last year, every university with a little money wanted to buy a computer to try it out."

The University of Hamburg is no exception; we also want to solve the four-color problem.

Meanwhile, due to supply shortages, IBM raised prices for European customers.

If Thus had actually been able to build a computer, we wouldn't be in such a passive position now.

However, I feel that Columbia University's program is likely to be the fastest, so there's not much point in us buying it.

Having a specific name makes finding someone much easier.

In just half a month, Manager Feng found Chus in Bathesfeld, Black Forest State.

"Sir, may I ask who you are?" Chus is somewhat well-known in the area and founded a company called Zuse KG.

Zuse KG originally lived in another city in the Black Forest state, and only moved to Bad Hesfeld a few years ago.

"Oh, it's like this. I am the CEO of a shipping company in Hong Kong. I have long admired your reputation and would like to invite you to serve as our company's chief expert, responsible for researching advanced computer equipment for container management."

The Manager Feng at this time was a completely different person from the Manager Feng at the Golden Dragon Store.

No one would recognize this as the same Manager Feng from before.

He'd changed from a traditional Chinese robe to a Western suit, his scholar's hat to a Western-style round cap, and there were subtle changes to his face as well. "Hong Kong?"

"That's right, we realized the enormous potential of computers and hoped to develop a powerful enough computer."

We've heard about your story and believe you were just a little bit unlucky away from success.

Have you ever considered that perhaps the reason you haven't achieved business success is because you're in Europe—or, as we Chinese would say, because of bad feng shui?

"Mountains don't move, but rivers do; perhaps Asia is your lucky place."

There's no other way; we have to say we're going to Hong Kong.

When you first come up to someone, you say that you have to go to the Chinese mainland through less-than-honorable means.

The other party is German, not of Chinese descent, so it's no wonder they wouldn't go.

"Hong Kong, where is Hong Kong?" As a native-born German, he knew nothing about Hong Kong.

Fortunately, Manager Feng was prepared: "Hong Kong is one of the most famous cities in Asia and is England's base in Asia."

Chu Ze declined, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm not ready to live in an Asian city, and I don't know much about shipping."

As an atheist of German descent with a family, children, and a career in Germany, it would be too difficult to recruit him to Hong Kong.

Manager Feng said, "Mr. Chu Si, your achievements in Germany are not recognized, but in Hong Kong there will be a large consortium to support your research on computers."

It can provide all the necessary conveniences and resources for your research. We can provide ample R&D funding and laboratory facilities to make things convenient for you.

Please think it over carefully.

Manager Feng continued, "Mr. Chu Si, have you heard of Randolph Lin?"

How could I not have heard of it?

The Berlin Crisis was related to him, as was the Cuban Missile Crisis. As Germany was at the forefront of the Cold War, German newspapers still occasionally tout the value of the "hotline."

Every year, from the selection to the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize, German newspapers compare the contributions of the candidates with those of Lin Ran's hotline.

It would be strange if the Germans didn't know, unless they lived deep in the mountains and forests, oblivious to the world.

Recently, the hottest topics are artificial intelligence and Deep Blue.

To put it simply, as the forefront of the Cold War, all news related to the Cold War was the focus of German media reports.

Lin Ran's concept of the key to victory in the Cold War hit the sweet spot for German media.

Everyone was a little panicked.

Because everyone thought that whoever successfully landed a man on the moon first would win, but you're telling me it's a marathon, and we have to wait until that seemingly unattainable technological singularity is achieved. This is like a bolt from the blue for insightful people of Germanic descent.

As a computer expert, Chus was clearly more interested in Deep Blue and artificial intelligence.

“Of course,” Chu Si nodded.

Manager Feng said, "If you are willing to come to Hong Kong to work, you will have the opportunity to work with Professor Lin."

Chus's eyes lit up, but he quickly realized that this was impossible. Randolph was in America, how could he possibly run to a small place like Hong Kong?

Only a Randolph scholar like Grushkov would notice that the other party had once taught in Hong Kong; Chus had no idea about that.

“Impossible, Professor Lin works for the White House and NASA.” Chu Si was about to get up and see the guest out.

This Chinese-American elite in front of me doesn't seem very reliable; he's already starting to make up stories.

Manager Feng quickly said, "What I mean is, if you are willing to come to Hong Kong, you will be working with a computer master comparable to Randolph Lin."

Chu Si racked his brains but couldn't think of any computer master in Hong Kong comparable to Randolph.

At least they had created the Z series of computers, though they were not known to the outside world and were only somewhat famous in a small circle in Berlin. Hong Kong, on the other hand, was a complete computer wasteland.

If there were truly masters comparable to Randolph, he would have at least heard of them.

He thought and thought, but he never imagined that there was such a person in Hong Kong.

"That's right, Mr. Chu Ze, you are welcome to come to Hong Kong and experience it for yourself."

We're willing to cover all round-trip airfare and hotel costs.

"Useless! It's been almost ten years since the Georgetown translation machine was first unveiled in 1954, and your progress is still so slow."

Ten years ago it was the same, and ten years later it is still the same. Anyone in your position would do the same thing.

"Because you did nothing!" Lin Ran roared, leaving the Georgetown team members red-faced and speechless.

"Inefficient, misguided, and completely wasting the resources IBM secured for you!"

The Redstone building has set aside an entire floor specifically for the Georgetown-IBM project team.

After all, Lin Ran's most important job at this time was still NASA, and the Georgetown translation machine could only be considered a side task.

Since Lin Ran can't go, then you'll have to come over.

The Georgetown project itself was sponsored by the Department of Defense, and McNamara was a staunch supporter of Lin Ran. Why would anyone disobey his orders?
The team was mainly composed of professors from Georgetown University, with IBM playing only a mentoring role.

IBM CEO Watson was listening nearby and thoroughly enjoyed it, wishing he were the one standing there yelling and cursing.

Because he always knew there was something wrong with this project.

To be precise, Watson knew from the very first day of the demonstration that the demonstration would be more effective than the actual results.

But the project managers, Paul Calvin and Leon Dostel, have consistently maintained that the Georgetown project has no problems and is proceeding according to plan.

Watson isn't an expert to begin with. If you just feel there's no progress in terms of results, they'll tell you that it's still under development and that once it's successfully developed, there will naturally be a significant improvement in results.

Watson was left speechless.

In addition, there were IBM employees involved in the project, Cuthbert Hurd and Peter Sheridan, who were also in cahoots with Georgetown University.

Everyone conspired to cheat, or rather, they tricked each other.

Say there's good progress when there's no progress, and say there are encouraging results when there are no results.

The purpose was to get IBM and the Department of Defense to keep investing money in the Georgetown project.

The Georgetown machine translation project was not completely terminated until 1964 when the Automatic Language Processing Advisory Committee was established and seven experts came together to release a report exposing the project's flaws.

Lin Ran is currently blasting members of Georgetown University, and Watson feels only one word: awesome.

"Are you still using these outdated rules for translation? Natural language isn't static; how do you handle ambiguity and context? With this crap, no wonder it's still a mess after ten years," Lin Ran continued his tirade.

Cuthbert Hurd and Peter Sheridan felt they had been scolded as well, and they finally understood why their IBM colleagues, after hearing that Randolph was going to take over the Georgetown project, had told Lin Ran to be mentally prepared.

The tyrants described in the newspapers are not wrong; they immediately denigrate all the achievements of the regime.

“Professor, we’ve done our best! The IBM 7090 is far more powerful than the 701, and our vocabulary has expanded to several thousand words.” Paul Calvin used the same rhetoric he’d used to fool Watson and Department of Defense officials to defend himself.

"Useless! I told you you're all useless, but you didn't believe me."

You dare bring this up again? Thousands of words? So what? Your system can't even grasp basic semantics. The hardware has been upgraded, but the brain hasn't kept up. You're only concerned with appeasing the government; you haven't even used the most basic hardware parallelism or added statistical methods.

"I'm telling you, language is a game of probability, not a collection of dead rules!" Lin Ran continued, "Don't try to fool me with the same tricks you used to fool Watson."

Watson doesn't understand, but don't I?

Watson was initially quite pleased, but now he feels a bit strange. What do you mean by that? Are you including me in your insults?
"Considering that IBM's stock price has been soaring, my personal wealth has doubled, and a professor has personally taken over the Georgetown translation machine project, with a bright future ahead, I won't hold it against you," Watson thought.

“We don’t have time to do that…” Peter couldn’t help but interject.

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Ran interrupted him: "No time?"

It's been almost ten years, and you still dare to say you don't have time?

You are afraid to face your own incompetence. Your rule translations are rigid, and you are unwilling to change your methods, so you keep going around in circles with this rigid approach.

Then we kept emphasizing to the investors that we were making progress.

You've actually entered a maze from which you can never get out!

Lin Ran continued, "First, discard your pile of garbage rules and introduce statistical methods. The memory and speed of the IBM 7090 are sufficient to handle small-scale corpus statistics."

Second, bring in more IBM machines for parallel processing to enhance their computing power.

Third, we collected a bilingual corpus, which contains a large amount of Russian and English scientific and technological texts. We then statistically analyzed word pair frequencies to optimize translation choices.

Finally, we need to improve the algorithm; we can't let the machine guess blindly like an idiot!

(End of this chapter)