An alien probe scans the surfaces of planets as it travels through the solar system. It discovers a third planet, which has begun applying a technology called “civilization code,” marked as “highly dangerous” in the interstellar archives. The risk lies not only in the fact that the degree of “civilization” (as defined in GGI’s Galaxy General Idea Database; Articles 3, 14, 39, and 126) should depend on the dynamic space-time and cultural context but also in the fact that externalizing the criteria for judging it by technical means would lead to confusion in the feedback loop of individual and collective behavior. Institutions that have the power of judgement can change the scoring standards at any time and infinitely upgrade the scope, granularity, and frequency of data sampling. The result would be that individuals would have to devote their entire physical and mental lives to endlessly adapting and disciplining themselves to external standards to obtain the various social rights that only a “civilized” person of a different rank can legitimately enjoy. This will lead to a holistic implosion of civilization (defined here in the GGI database in articles 1, 2, 38-56, 89 et seq.). The next scan will take place in 23 Earth years, at which time the interstellar civilization will be rated depending on the condition of the planet. External intervention may be mandatory if it does not meet the criteria, up to Level III population extinction.

(Translated by Fiona He)