Chapter 376: Great Battle in Switzerland

Zurich Polytechnic Institute, in an office.

“I have an assistant who does research at Dartmouth College. Yan Chonghan was his student.”

Only Jiang Ran and Professor Noah were in the room. Professor Noah looked at Jiang Ran:

“To be honest, I don’t have much of an impression of him, nor did I have any contact with him. But… he got into some trouble at East Sea University a while ago. He was shot and killed, so I had to look into it.”

Ever since Jiang Ran had called out Yan Chonghan’s name in the classroom, Professor Noah’s attitude toward him had improved significantly. He had taken the initiative to invite him to his office for a private chat.

After a brief introduction, this chain of mentorship was confirmed.

Although Yan Chonghan wasn’t Professor Noah’s disciple in the strictest sense, nor was Jiang Ran strictly Yan Chonghan’s student.

But with this intermediary, at least Professor Noah was now willing to hear Jiang Ran out.

“You just said that Yan Chonghan taught you at East Sea University? Could it be that you’re also researching topics in the field of Consciousness Upload?”

It had to be said, Professor Noah was very considerate. To make sure Jiang Ran could understand him clearly, he spoke English very slowly and enunciated every word distinctly.

Jiang Ran nodded and began to weave a story that was half-truth, half-lie.

He had no choice. To gain Professor Noah’s trust and get him to seriously consider his words, Jiang Ran needed to embellish his background a bit.

“After the semester started, Teacher Yan became my graduate advisor. He explained his research topic to me, and I became extremely interested, so Teacher Yan and I discussed many things.”

“But to be honest with you, Professor Noah, I’m really a layman when it comes to the technical aspects of Consciousness Upload. However, I’m a computer science major, so I have done a little bit of superficial research into the Digital World and the field of Digital Life.”

Hearing Jiang Ran speak like this, Noah chuckled.

“Haha, you students from Dragon Country… you’re always so overly humble. It always sounds a bit strange to us.”

“It’s alright, no need to be so reserved. Since you’re Yan Chonghan’s student, we can consider this fate. Whatever you want to say, just say it directly. I will listen carefully.”

Jiang Ran nodded.

“Then I’ll get straight to the point. I believe Consciousness Upload technology is truly ahead of its time. But if you wish to create a Virtual Digital World as you envision, you must consider the problem of [storage capacity].”

“After all, inside the Digital World, all resources are infinite; they can be duplicated endlessly by copying and pasting. But as the external foundation of the Digital World, no matter how vast the storage capacity prepared in advance is, it will always be finite.”

“If one day, the various data within the Digital World expands explosively and maxes out the storage capacity, that would mean the entire Digital World would collapse… causing irreversible consequences.”

“According to your plans, you would certainly prepare sufficient, more than enough, even exceptionally abundant storage space in advance to handle the long-term development of the Virtual Digital World.”

“However, not everything will develop as stably as you expect. For example…”

After a pause, Jiang Ran said with emphasis:

“[The brand-new lives born within the Digital World.]”

…

Professor Noah frowned.

Just now in class, that shouting international student from Dragon Country had raised this very issue.

At the time, he hadn’t paid it any mind, simply writing it off as the boldness of ignorance from someone who didn’t know much about Digital Life. But now that Yan Chonghan’s student was raising the point again, he had to take it seriously.

“By my speculation, the newborns of Digital Life would also just be Digital Life. In terms of structure and form, they wouldn’t be too different from us normal humans.”

“But… that is indeed something that cannot be verified, because our current level of technology isn’t there yet.”

He spread his hands.

“Right now, not only do we lack suitable volunteers, but we also lack the scientific capability to build a Virtual Digital World that could rival reality.”

“So… Jiang Ran, tell me, what’s your take on this issue? From the sound of it, you believe these newborns of Digital Life will become ‘data bombs’ that we can’t guard against, maxing out the entire server and data center?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Ran stated his thoughts truthfully.

Although he didn’t really understand the theory behind it, nor could he explain the deeper reasons, for a genius like Professor Noah, it was enough just to make him notice and take this problem seriously.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your idea of a Digital World or the construction of a new form of human society, but I hope you can take the issue I mentioned of [newborn Digital Life] seriously.”

Jiang Ran specifically emphasized:

“My teacher, Yan Chonghan, actually agreed with my view as well. He was probably planning to return to Dartmouth College to research it thoroughly. It’s just a shame… he was unfortunately shot and died so young.”

Professor Noah closed his eyes, his fingers tapping on the tabletop as he sank into thought.

Although he didn’t fully agree with Jiang Ran’s point of view.

But the seed of doubt… had indeed been planted.

“I understand.”

He opened his eyes.

“Thank you very much, Jiang Ran. I will give this matter serious consideration in the future.”

With that said, he stood up.

“I have other plans, so I’ll be leaving now.”

With that, Professor Noah walked out of the office and headed toward the parking lot with his assistant.

Jiang Ran also stood up from his chair.

He believed that today’s conversation had definitely been effective.

Because Professor Noah, who was also Mr. Pompey, was not a bad person at heart. This was clear from the footage Rhine Cat Photography Meow had shown them.