The Mechanical Era

It was the 30th of Nummum, 5018, two days after the test of the tram. Kant was found in his office, reading the typed words on the sheets of paper. It was a charter for a new branch of government, one that kept in tap the amount of taxes one would owe.

Just before he could finish reading it twice and over, there was a subtle knock on the door. Kant sat in a more straight and serious position, away from his relaxed pose. He put down the files into the drawer, before allowing them in.

"Come in," he permits. Alan Fleck walks right inside Kant's office, holding a bunch of files stuffed with reports After bowing his head and sitting on the chair, he coughed twice before relaying the information of the reports to Kant.

"Good news, your highness. I just received the reports on the progress of the projects being undertaken thanks to the Industrialization Program. Would you mind if I read it out to you?"

"Not at all."

"Alright then. Now, according to the report, the sewer system of 'Industrial district 1' is set to be completed on the 12th of Pecunia, if they build at the current rate. Similarly, we would have finished building all the schools and libraries around the same time, after 18 days of non-stop construction.

In terms of the translation of the Bible, I am pleased to announce that we currently have about 175 books, with another 340 on the way. Our translation team estimates that we should be able to finish 745 by the end of next month.

Now, when it comes to that tram car construction, I have received a letter from the craftsman that they have managed to make 1 tram car compartment fitted with a steam engine. They say that although they are facing slight problems, they will be able to deliver all 48 tram car compartments on the 1st of Nativitas."

"That is good. We can start construction of the roads and tram tracks sooner then."

"That was exactly what I was thinking sir. Now, one more thing. I want to inform you that I have received another letter, from the company DML Designs. They claim that you, sir, commissioned them to make a blueprint of a massive building. How would you like for me to respond sir?"

"Inform them to come over to the palace to present the blueprint. I want to see it for myself before approving it."

"Of course sir. And what that, it is all I have for now. I guess I shall be on my way?" Alan asked, almost getting up from the seat.

"No. Sit down, Alan. I am going to need you to listen to me."

"Oh! I apologize for my rudeness..." Alan sits back on the chair and places the files down.

"So sir, what is this all about?" he questioned.

"First, you are going to need a piece of background information first. With the construction of the libraries, I hope to not only fill them with Bibles, but other types of educational books regarding science, whether it be alchemy, mechanics, mathematics, and so on.

I wanted a literate population, but also an educated population, to help me invent more complicated mechanical systems, and to research different fields. I cannot do things myself. I need more people to work with me.

To achieve that goal, I want to teach these subjects to people through places of learning, like schools. However, although the return on investment may be high, it will take at least 15 years to 20 years to do so, which we don't have the time for. Do you understand so far?"

"I do sir. You want an educated population, but you need them quickly. So what is your solution to it?"

"The solution is very simple. We provide them with the information they need through books placed in the library, and get them to self-study and learn. We can start with simple books, to get them to understand the basics. Only from there, we hand them out more complicated pieces of literary works on the subject."

"That is a very good idea, though I already see a bit of a problem. How to choose which ones should go on the shelves and which ones don't? I mean, there are many theories to how things work, don't they?"

"That is exactly what I want to address with the building?"

"The building?"

"Well, not particularly, but more about what the building homes... Excuse me." Kant got up from his chair and walked over to the cabinet. There, he grabs a file before coming back and sitting on his chair again.

He hands it over for Alan to read. He picks it up and opens the file, revealing what appears to be a charter. On the top of the first page, it reads 'Charter for the Hoverdam Institution of Scientific Advancement and Research'.

"I have been working on this project ever since the month of Asinus. The main job of the Hoverdam Institution of Scientific Advancement and Research is to mainly conduct and fund scientific experiments, to be recorded, retested, debated, and confirmed.

Its secondary job is to decide which theories should be included in books that people will use to study. It will be important that we put out the correct information, at least for what we know them to be."

Kant leaned in.

"Now, can I assume that minister Alan never really had an interest in science, did you?" Alan smiled.

"No sir, I didn't."

"Well, I will explain it to you, because it is important that you understand. Science is a technology. A technology to uncover, verify and refine our knowledge. The scientific method allows us to do is to make our knowledge, gradually more correct.

To conduct science is relatively easy. First is to observe the world around us. Next is to ask a question about what we see. Then, we can construct a hypothesis that could answer the question. The text stage is about thinking of a way to test the hypothesis, so we can go to the next step, which is to run experiments to see if the hypothesis was correct.

After the experiments are done, we can draw and conclusion from the experiments, which allows us to next communicate the results. From there, we refine, alter or reject the hypothesis, and move all the way back to stage 1.

Now, there are limitations to science. There are some things that we might get wrong because either we are too technologically primitive, or there is something we cannot see, or we might have overlooked some things. Now, keep that in mind, as I explain for the HISAR works.

A scientist could come up to the HISAR building, and ask for funding for an experiment. Now, there are two methods of being funded. Either through private individuals or from us. Regardless of the subject, once funding is received, they are free to do their experiments, and hand in the results of the tests.

If it is deemed that it is a subject matter receiving lots of success, more money will be funneled to conduct larger tests to see if it will hold. This will hopefully lead to more tests and research, allowing them to see whether their hypothesis was correct from the conclusions drawn.

From there, it is up to the other scientists to do a peer review process, where they test and experiment with the hypothesis by conducting the same experiments. The hypothesis that has the most support will be the one implemented in beginner textbooks.

With that, the people will be able to learn, giving us more experts, who will conduct more research, more science, and eventually correct themselves of their past mistakes," Kant explained.

What Kant didn't tell him is that he hoped to... direct them into discovering many crucial principles to allow him to build and create new technologies. This would cause less suspicion among everyone, and allow him to gain a huge advantage.

"I see. So with the discovery of these new principles, we will be able to... perhaps say invent new technologies? I mean, look at the steam engine."

"That is correct, minister. Technologies that we might have not even dreamed of. There could be principles that the world runs on that we don't know. With a larger pool of people researching, we might be able to discover these things at a faster rate than before. It will improve the people's lives while giving our kingdom an advantage."

"Hmm... anyways, I presume that is all sir?"

"Yes. That is all."

"Alright, sir. I will make sure to send the letter, and also find some good real estate to build it, and even find some scholars who would be interested to come by. Would you want it to be built in a densely populated area or...?"

"I think it would be best if we build it in a new area. I don't want it to be integrated into the downtown, or have to destroy valuable real estate for it."

"Alright, sir. I will get to it." with that, Alan left the room. Kant, after seeing that he is truly gone, picked up the paper he placed in the drawer, and started to read it once again.