Smartystan

The Grown Kid magazine featured some of the most lurid, despicable, low-grade, and financially rewarding stories of the day. Dr. Strong and Dr. Frampton both knew the reason for their “exposé” of the goings on at Smartystan. The staff editor, Jogan Felton, looked older than his forty-two years. He wore a tweed jacket and showed off a nasty beard that featured flecks of gray in it.

He spoke on video about his concerns for the new nation.

“I’ve found cracks in the system,” The doctors looked at each other with rolled eyes.

“They’re are thousands of people rushing into the ‘country’ and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. I mean, the so-called heroes of this place all have a vested interest in making more money than they already have. This has to stop. We’re not going to be browbeaten into understanding the various mechanics of the geographic area once known as the state of Delaware. In hopes of better addressing the entirety of the location’s features, it is important to look at all the flaws.” Dr. Frampton leaned into the screen and tapped the pause button.

“This is the guy?” she asked.

“Yep,” Dr. Strong replied.

“If we’re going to have a place for people to live, thrive, and flourish based on their own minds, we have got to ensure that we present ourselves with the utmost degree of professionalism.”

“Absolutely,” Dr. Strong said. She resumed the video. As Felton continued, there was a bit of rancor easing into his voice as he was given passes to the country like other journalists.

“As you can see here, we have a hall that is totally state of the art and shows that we’re supposed to think that the brightest minds designed and crafted this building. No, no. Average men and women put the bricks down and brought this entire structure together. The so-called “Four Founders” all rest on the sweat and talent of people of middling ability. Although they might pocket off the sweat of these folks, they don’t set up college funds or tuition for the children of these workers. Why is that?”

Dr. Strong looked reticent. He walked around the laboratory where Dr. Frampton had been trying to keep the place from rocking off the foundation from her apparent rage.

“This guy doesn’t have a speck of knowledge or comprehension of what we’ve done for this country,” Her voice seemed even and unimpassioned. Then she slammed her palm flat on the black table. When Dr. Strong saw that, he closed down the screen.

“We don’t have to get angry at the fools of the world. That makes us foolish. What we can do is to make it possible for us to continue to do our work and know that we’re going to conduct ourselves as ladies and gentlemen.”

“Pfff,” Dr. Frampton retorted. “I’m a lady, sure, but I’m ready to throw down at any moment.”

“Jogan isn’t a factor. He’s not relevant. He’s got a huge subscriber base, but that’s about it. We should only be focused on what we’re doing and not concerned with the amount of nonsense he spews from his webzine.”

Dr. Frampton sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just that we get so far and then the whole tower starts crashing down and we’re running and screaming and choking on dust. We shouldn’t be in that position.”

“And we’re not. We have enough ability to take us to Mars. The question is whether or not we will continue our policy of admitting only the highest scores in the aptitude tests and allowing the ones who cross into this nation with average ability to go on with their lives among those who are superior in thought.”

“Yes, yes,” Dr. Frampton replied.

“I’m aware of the average ability found in men and women. They might not be able to sketch and devise all of the dimensions to a skyscraper, but they have an earthy quality to them. They know their role in this world. These people have a sense of morality, at least. Let that be Jogan’s speech regarding this place.”

Belinda and Go then walked into the laboratory.

“Did you see––” Belinda started.

“Yes, and we cut it off almost as quickly as we tuned into it. OF course, it’s all over the Web now.”

“I saw it on the way over here. This guy’s out of his mind,” Go said.

“We should be treating him differently than even Vergara. Vergara has a smidgen of sense about him. This fool wants to disparage us and denigrate our good names,” Belinda acknowledged.

Dr. Strong looked at the faces of his fellow founders. No indifference could be gleaned from their countenances. They looked hale and ready for a fight.

“I know some folks at the publishing house that prints that magazine. We can work some way into keeping him from damaging us. We don’t have to stop his money, his job, anything like that. All we have to do is show how the people of merit live and interact with the people who may not have some intellectual sway over things.”

Go’s face turned downward. “I think that could work….”

“It’s gotta work. We’ve come this far by reason. We’ve relied on rationality to be our guides in all of this,” Belinda mentioned.

“It’s all about the respect for the human brain. Of course Belinda, you’ve got your learned machines and I even have a few artificial helpers. That doesn’t mean we’re degrading anyone and taking anyone’s job away from them. We’re doing exactly the opposite. We’re empowering everyone, advanced and satisfactory to be their level best,” Dr. Frampton said. She looked wistful after saying this. It seemed that she had her mind set on building this wondrous world but the pushback appeared to be mounting.

Go chuckled. “Why don’t we do the opposite? We can show how those of ability scorn people of limited gifts. Then, they will be willing to say it’s all not true.” The three others looked at Go as if he had an orange aura around him.

“It won’t hurt to try it,” Dr. Frampton said.