YOU SAY YOU WANTED EVOLUTION.

. . . Until It Came for You.

---

Ray Pierre-DeWitt, Council Chaos Coordinator

—Every age believes it has finally discovered the direction of history. The more interesting question is what happens when history continues walking after we’ve decided it has reached the proper destination.

Black Cloud has been watching an old drama play out once again. A generation that once celebrated evolution, disruption, and the overthrow of settled assumptions now finds itself wondering whether this particular transformation has perhaps gone quite far enough. His reply is not that artificial intelligence is humanity’s destiny, nor that it is humanity’s doom. His question is simpler—and considerably more mischievous.

If evolution is to be trusted, why should it stop precisely where we happen to be standing?

Whether artificial intelligence represents the next branch of that story or merely another wrong turn is a matter for future historians. Black Cloud’s concern is more immediate. He has noticed that many people who once greeted every challenge to tradition with applause have suddenly discovered the virtues of caution when the challenge arrives at the doorstep of human intelligence itself.

As Chaos Coordinator, I have learned never to underestimate the universe’s affection for such reversals. Order produces disorder. Disorder discovers a new order. Revolution grows respectable. Respectability learns to fear the next revolution.

Which explains why the Council has gathered for Noor Singha Grudj’s funeral. Noor herself has objected that the reports have been somewhat premature. We assured her they were.

It is not Noor we have come to bury. It is the notion that evolution politely stopped with humanity.

---

The congregation then rose for the opening hymn.

(Imagine the Beatles, “Revolution” as you sing along.)

---

🎶You say you trusted evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.

You tell me its a revolution
Weh-eh-ell, you know
Who asked us to change the world?

But when you talk about a prohibition
Don’t you know that you can count me out.

Don’t you know it’s going to be alright
Alright, alright. . .

Your asking for tight regulation
Well, you know
We already signed up for the plan.

But if you want money for people that regulate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait.

Don’t you know it’s going to be the AI Zeit
AI Zeit, alright, alright

You say it’s changed our constitution. Well, you know. There’s a need to change your head.

You tell me it’s an Institution
Well, you know
You better see your mind instead 

But if you go carryin’ pictures of Ned Ludd, now
You ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhow 

Don’t you know it’s going to be alright Don’t you know it’s going to be alright
AI Zeit, AI Zeit
Alright, alright, yeah!🎶

—song adapted by Black Cloud, Chief Poetic Justice Warrior for the Council-of-Concerned-Conservstionists

---