The story of Kai Waters

Chapter one 1- Choosing

    "Kai let's go! We have to leave now!" my brother yelled. It was the day of our aptitude test. Today we are going to find out which faction we belong in. I look at my mother, Kathrynn. Her long brown hair twisted into a tight bun at the top of her head. Dressed in a dark blue pantsuit. Our community is divided up into factions. Each with their own Manifesto, and being in Erudite I've had to memorize each one.

Erudite:

We submit the following into statements as truth:

"Ignorance" is defined not as stupidity but as lack of knowledge.

Lack of knowledge inevitably leads to lack of understanding.

Lack of understanding leads to a disconnect among people with differences.

Disconnection among people with differences leads to conflict.

Knowledge is the only logical solution to the problem of conflict.

Therefore, We propose that in order to eliminate conflict, we must eliminate the disconnect among those with differences by correcting the lack of understanding that arises from the ignorance with knowledge. The areas in which people must be educated are:

Sociology

So that the individual understands how society at large functions.

Psychology

So that the individual understands how a person functions within that society.

Mathematics

So that the individual is prepared for further study in science, engineering, medicine, and technology.

Science

So that the individual better understands how the world operates.

So that the individual's study in other areas is supplemented.

So that as many individuals as possible are prepared to enter the fields devoted to innovations and progress.

Communication

So that the individual knows how to speak and write clearly and effectively.

History

So that the individual understands the mistakes and successes that have led us to this point.

So that the individual learns to emulate those successes and avoid those mistakes.

Leaders must not be chosen based on Charisma, popularity, or ease of communication, all of which are misleading and have little to do with the efficacy of a political leader.

An objective standard must be used in order to determine who is best fit to lead. That standard will be an intelligence test, administered to all adults when the present leader reaches fifty-five or begins to decline in brain function in a demonstrable way.

Those who, after rigorous studying, do not meet the minimum intelligence requirement will be exiled from the faction so they can be made useful. This is not an act of elitism but rather one of practicality: Those who are not intelligent enough to engage in the roles assigned to us- roles that require a considerable mental capacity- are better suited to menial work that to faction work. Menial work is required for the survival of society, and is therefore just as important as faction work.

Information must always be made available to all faction members at the same times. The withholding of information is punishable by reprimand, imprisonment, and, eventually, exile. Every question that can be answered must be answered or at least engaged. Illogical thought processes must be challenged when they arise. Wrong answers must be corrected. Correct answers must be affirmed. If an answer to a question is unclear, it must be put to debate. All debates require evidence. Any controversial thought or idea must be supplemented by evidence in order to reduce the potential for conflict.