making them by demanding them repeatedly. Since this is a key issue, and no progress is being made, perhaps we can approach it from another angle. Hypothetically, what assistance would you need to rebuild your infrastructure after abandoning nanotechnology? If you’re willing to discuss that, you can ask us a couple of hypothetical questions as well. We’ll do our best to answer, or at least be embarrassed about evading them.”
Brett turned towards Nocker, hoping the Oceanian Ambassador was now considering how, instead of whether, the necessary could be accomplished.
The old man leaned forward as if in deep thought, pressing two fingers to his forehead. Williams shrank away as he did so, although the table was between them. Coming on top of some of the things Williams had said about tolerance, this seemed a bit much. No evidence supported the idea of danger through personal contact.
Nocker spoke as if he hadn’t noticed Williams’ movement, but Brett didn’t believe it.
“That’s such a big question; I don’t know where to start.”
Brett prepared for longwinded dodging, but Nocker spoke plainly. “Maybe our medical system. Someday nanotechnology may be able to do all sorts of repairs inside the body, but right now it can’t. Most of our medical techniques are similar to yours.”
This seemed too easy. Brett’s attention sharpened, as his instincts told him a riposte was forthcoming.
Nocker continued in a deprecatory tone, as if apologizing for the crudity of their technology. “Once in a while nanomachines can block a capillary and kill a brain tumor, but I’m sure your invaluable help will compensate for any loss there. They can’t even reproduce themselves. They are assembled in vats by much larger nanomachines that are too large and delicate to travel through the bloodstream.”
The latter fact was basic, though some still doubted it, or suspected more sophisticated technology was being hidden.
Nocker looked slightly surprised, as if he had just thought of something. “Of course they do provide twenty-four hour internal monitoring. And they can sometimes be used to get the brain to modify involuntary functions, lower blood pressure and such.”
Brett had to say something, Nocker made change sound impossible. “Yeah, it won’t be easy, but – ”
Nocker’s voice was now so gentle and contemplative it didn’t sound like he was interrupting Brett. “We’d have to get people in the habit of regular checkups. Some people don’t like them, even in the Federalist Worlds. Even training doctors to perform them might be a challenge.”
This time Brett managed to interject, “Don’t tell me every doctor on this planet uses nanotechnology?”
“Oh no. That would make the situation difficult. A few don’t. Some of them are part of isolated religious groups, who wouldn’t at first be pleased to hear they were going to help rebuild a planetary medical system, or perhaps even have the ability to do so. I’m sure you could help persuade and train them, though there wouldn’t be enough.”
Brett replied flatly, “We would import more. And I’m sure some of your nanotech trained physicians would adapt more quickly than most, and could help train the others.”
Nocker nodded. “Quite right. Your faith in us is touching, and I hope quite justified. Of course, some of our doctors would be required to transcribe the medical records of an entire planetary population. Even after that, a few doctors may have trouble getting used to not just having the case history of a patient instantly available in their mind. I’m afraid there may be a few errors at first. How do you prevent those where electronic records are widely used?”
“They do happen, but in the vast majority of cases -”
The old man nodded vigorously, contrasting with the arthritic walk seen before. “Just so. I’m sure the difference in Oceanian life expectancies and those on the most technologically advanced planets in the
Brett turned towards Nocker, hoping the Oceanian Ambassador was now considering how, instead of whether, the necessary could be accomplished.
The old man leaned forward as if in deep thought, pressing two fingers to his forehead. Williams shrank away as he did so, although the table was between them. Coming on top of some of the things Williams had said about tolerance, this seemed a bit much. No evidence supported the idea of danger through personal contact.
Nocker spoke as if he hadn’t noticed Williams’ movement, but Brett didn’t believe it.
“That’s such a big question; I don’t know where to start.”
Brett prepared for longwinded dodging, but Nocker spoke plainly. “Maybe our medical system. Someday nanotechnology may be able to do all sorts of repairs inside the body, but right now it can’t. Most of our medical techniques are similar to yours.”
This seemed too easy. Brett’s attention sharpened, as his instincts told him a riposte was forthcoming.
Nocker continued in a deprecatory tone, as if apologizing for the crudity of their technology. “Once in a while nanomachines can block a capillary and kill a brain tumor, but I’m sure your invaluable help will compensate for any loss there. They can’t even reproduce themselves. They are assembled in vats by much larger nanomachines that are too large and delicate to travel through the bloodstream.”
The latter fact was basic, though some still doubted it, or suspected more sophisticated technology was being hidden.
Nocker looked slightly surprised, as if he had just thought of something. “Of course they do provide twenty-four hour internal monitoring. And they can sometimes be used to get the brain to modify involuntary functions, lower blood pressure and such.”
Brett had to say something, Nocker made change sound impossible. “Yeah, it won’t be easy, but – ”
Nocker’s voice was now so gentle and contemplative it didn’t sound like he was interrupting Brett. “We’d have to get people in the habit of regular checkups. Some people don’t like them, even in the Federalist Worlds. Even training doctors to perform them might be a challenge.”
This time Brett managed to interject, “Don’t tell me every doctor on this planet uses nanotechnology?”
“Oh no. That would make the situation difficult. A few don’t. Some of them are part of isolated religious groups, who wouldn’t at first be pleased to hear they were going to help rebuild a planetary medical system, or perhaps even have the ability to do so. I’m sure you could help persuade and train them, though there wouldn’t be enough.”
Brett replied flatly, “We would import more. And I’m sure some of your nanotech trained physicians would adapt more quickly than most, and could help train the others.”
Nocker nodded. “Quite right. Your faith in us is touching, and I hope quite justified. Of course, some of our doctors would be required to transcribe the medical records of an entire planetary population. Even after that, a few doctors may have trouble getting used to not just having the case history of a patient instantly available in their mind. I’m afraid there may be a few errors at first. How do you prevent those where electronic records are widely used?”
“They do happen, but in the vast majority of cases -”
The old man nodded vigorously, contrasting with the arthritic walk seen before. “Just so. I’m sure the difference in Oceanian life expectancies and those on the most technologically advanced planets in the
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