“Social science,” an old man in gold-rimmed lab coat set in his cosy antique armchair, in his hand he held a glass of clear liquid, he put the glass right between the dim orange lamp and his eyes as if he was trying to read secret messages hidden in the liquid, “a study of the behaviour and relationships of an intelligent species’s society.”

“I knew that very well, Dr Mat,” opposite the old man was a young man who sat uncomfortably in a wooden chair, similarly to Dr Mat, he was wearing a lab coat with gold rims, “if the reason for you to call me…”

“I want you to understand the importance of social science,” Dr Mat sipped the liquid, he then pointed at a chessboard, “the idea is simple. If I want to predict the outcome of a chess game, I just need to analyse all the positions of the pieces and record every change, soon enough I will be able to predict the flow of the game and ultimately, its future.”

Dr Mat’s eyes lit up as the other person picked up the chessboard and played it in his hands, “That is what you are good at, creating algorithms to observe and record. To summarise all the data collected and compose them into a fine harmony that explains everything.”

Dr Kruskal finally felt the heaviness of the night, slowly, he put down the chessboard, “I’d be happy to help, but can you elaborate in detail your exact…”

Like a lightning strike, Dr Mat pulled out a sheet (an ancient way of recording), “Here, take a look.”

He handed the thin sheet to Dr Kruskal.

“Sampling,” Dr Mat sat up from his armchair and put down his glass as Dr Kruskal stared at the sheet covered in scribbles, “you just heard the word ‘census’. In terms of sampling strategies, a census produces the most accurate, reliable data.”

“This…” Dr Kruskal swallowed hardly, “this…is not…”

“I know, I know,” Dr Mat said in an assuring tone, “no need to rush, you have plenty of time, or rather, our kind have plenty of time. Yes, a census accounts for every single subject that exists, and it will take an extremely strong processing power.”

“I don’t think any computer in the world can…” Dr Kruskal started, but he looked down again at the paper, “Are you sure the community will approve such…a project? We are speaking here, a full-scale model of…our world…A single intelligent bot takes computing power…”

“I am the chair of the community,” smiled Dr Mat, “I think it is getting late already, and I don’t want to keep your family waiting for too long. But as the chair of the Scientific Community, I promise that the scientific community will be fully committed to supporting your team.”

“I will try my best,” Dr Kruskal stood up and shook Dr Mat’s hand, “but I don’t think either of us will see the completion of this project.”

“Have faith,” Dr Mat walked towards the door and opened it for Dr Kruskal, “just keep in mind that what you are doing is the greatest scientific experiment ever conducted by our kind. Its result will allow us to learn about ourselves and to prevent any future conflicts among us.”

“One final question, Dr Mat.”

“Please say it.”

“What will this project be named?”

“EARTH.”