The Wolf of Los Angeles-Chapter 458: We’re All the Same

[Chapter 458: We're All the Same]

In the Coastal Building, inside the central server room surrounded by staircases on all sides, several engineers from IBM were busy installing a supercomputer. The massive server racks filled one underground room after another. Part of the system used water cooling, necessitating a sophisticated water circulation system.

Hawke put on a safety helmet and checked it out. Harald, who accompanied him, explained, "This is the IBM Blue Gene supercomputer officially released last year. Each rack contains 1024 processors, and a single rack costs as much as two million dollars."

This supercomputer was ordered last year after the Manhattan AI Project received congressional funding.

Hawke was not an expert on the technical specifics and asked, "What exactly can it do?"

Harald thought for a moment and gave a fitting comparison: "The supercomputer the Federal Nuclear Security Agency bought from IBM last year is still outperformed by this one."

Hawke reminded, "Make sure to conduct thorough safety inspections once the installation is complete."

At this moment, List, the IBM site supervisor, approached, shook Hawke's hand, and began a sales pitch: "IBM is already developing the next-generation supercomputer, code-named Roadrunner, designed to far surpass Blue Gene's capabilities."

Hawke asked straightforwardly, "When will it be available?"

List, aware that Twitter would be a crucial client for IBM's future, replied, "If everything goes smoothly, the earliest release would be the end of 2008."

"Contact us then," Hawke said.

"Certainly," said List, handing over a business card with both hands. "We can enhance collaboration between us."

Twitter hadn't just bought this supercomputer from IBM but also a large number of servers.

Hawke accepted the card and followed him into the two server rooms where the installation was complete, listening to List's explanations. The supercomputer would be fully installed and debugged by tomorrow morning.

---

After a round, Hawke returned to his office to finish his work. Edward came in from outside.

He said, "The selected people have already gone to San Francisco with Betty and Juan."

Hawke nodded, "The new project is starting there."

"Yes," Edward said, hesitating before adding, "Saint Steve can go over anytime."

Hawke picked up the phone and called Caroline: "Any results yet?"

Caroline replied, "The initial selection was quite large. I plan to narrow it down again once the supercomputer finishes debugging tomorrow."

"Good," Hawke reminded, "Don't forget our previous goals."

For those who mailed packages to Erica from New York, even with modeling at Twitter, hardware limitations meant no results yet.

With the new supercomputer, at least hardware wouldn't be a bottleneck for a while.

...

Hawke logged into the official Twitter account of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Steve Nutt's personal account to check their LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Since 2006, both had been posting daily about LGBTQ+ topics, mostly featuring African American communities.

Steve had posted on his Twitter: "America is a culturally and ethnically inclusive country. Although civil rights movements have made significant progress, some groups remain marginalized at society's edges."

Behind the post were images of various struggling folks from Compton.

"Whether gay, bisexual, or transgender, they are all part of our society and deserve equal rights, not to be pushed to the sidelines facing hardship.

Everyone is a unique gift from God, shining brightly. They pursue equality and dignity with pride and strength."

Steve's reputation and position gave him immense respect, especially as an African American father's son -- a true civil rights figure.

As the saying goes, hungry people have only one worry: not enough to eat.

Once fed, many other concerns arise.

America had once been a beacon to the world -- many people not only had enough food but also pursued interesting causes.

Some focused on environmentalism, others on scientific research, others on equality.

At civil rights rallies, nearly half or more of the attendees were white.

Steve's case was not unique.

His tweets received overwhelming support.

"Everyone deserves equal standing in society."

"These people need equality."

"We call on everyone to understand and accept."

Most comments agreed with Steve's posts.

Twitter's algorithms promoted such content to users interested in these topics, usually leading to smooth dissemination.

However, it lacked significant controversy.

...

Hawke considered this and called Sasha at the news editorial department, saying, "Saint Steve and NAACP's LGBTQ+ content is too quiet."

Sasha, a Twitter veteran who had worked with Hawke on espionage, immediately understood, "Push this in front of the opposition?"

"Exactly," Hawke said, concerned that the conflict plan was moving too slowly. "Arrange for our online provocateurs to stir fights there. The more intense, the better -- ideally, it becomes a heated topic among all Twitter users, spilling from online into real life."

Sasha, experienced in such operations, assured, "I know what to do. We'll ignite fierce conflicts between the two groups."

Hawke added, "Focus first on San Francisco and Los Angeles."

L.A. was the base; San Francisco an important battleground.

...

After hanging up, Sasha immediately began making adjustments.

Democrats didn't always mean liberals, and Republicans didn't always mean conservatives.

A perfect example was California's current governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his predecessor Gray Davis.

Schwarzenegger was a moderate, while Davis represented conservative factions within the Democratic Party.

Just as their views and support had dramatically shifted before, their bases weren't static.

Twitter provocateurs quietly infiltrated Steve's account comments, posting homophobic insults, which was immediately met with fierce counterattacks -- a one-sided showdown initially.

But gradually, opposing numbers rose, sparking heated debates.

As everyone knows, online, no one, no matter how powerful, can ever convince or silence those with opposing views.

Online trolls never defeat other trolls.

Unless it comes down to real-world fights.

Hawke's goal was to bring the battlefield offline, ideally leading to fatalities.

...

That evening, Brian invited Hawke to dinner at the Crossos, a Spanish-style restaurant famous for its seafood in Los Angeles.

Hawke ate a red spiny lobster and asked, "Any progress with Schwarzenegger's side?"

Brian wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, "Paul and my father have communicated with many, starting with Washington. George Walker won't support Schwarzenegger -- that doesn't serve their interests. Their main ally in California is the Ferguson family."

He clinked glasses with Hawke and continued, "Though Schwarzenegger served as governor for over two years, he's a political novice with shallow roots, relying heavily on his star power. The recent media crisis has severely damaged the reputation built over twenty years in Hollywood."

Hawke poured more wine and asked, "Who were his biggest backers when he first took office?"

Brian smiled, "On one side, Pacific Investment Group and the Ferguson family; on the other, Silicon Valley forces led by eBay founder Meg Whitman, and some Hollywood investors."

Hawke, having dealings with Silicon Valley, said, "Peter Thiel mentioned a sizeable part there supports Schwarzenegger."

Silicon Valley capital was divided into many factions whose allegiances shifted often based on interests.

Brian said, "Aunt Mary talked with Meg Whitman. They've decided to drop Schwarzenegger because I can bring them new benefits."

Brian added, "Of course, Schwarzenegger has backing; just media pressure won't make him step down."

Hawke said decisively, "At this stage, division is unavoidable."

It was an open power struggle.

Since Brian sought the governorship, both sides had been adversaries.

The shooting incident involving Mills left no room for detente.

Hawke softly said, "Schwarzenegger's multiple affairs are countless, but you've probably heard about the scandal with his overweight housekeeper. She reportedly bore him an illegitimate child."

Brian puzzled, "Why do Hollywood male stars love female housekeepers? Their wives pick plain or unattractive ones to avoid trouble, but it never works."

Hawke remembered news photos of that housekeeper weren't exactly hideous -- Hollywood guys just had a type.

Brian understood Hawke's implication: "Are we exposing Schwarzenegger's scandal?"

"Not us - San Francisco media," Hawke reminded. "No matter who breaks the story, Schwarzenegger will suspect us. But he's no fool and will also suspect San Francisco's side. If the villains from there drag us in, we'll drag them down with us."

Brian agreed: "Let's do it. Tonight I'll send people to San Francisco to make contact and sell the story to some media outlets."

Curious, Hawke asked, "Do you have the materials ready?"

"Paul had people find the mother and child last time you reminded me. They took photos and got the housekeeper's bank account details with evidence of transfers from Schwarzenegger years ago," Brian said confidently.

"The illegitimate son is ten now, and his appearance clearly reminds people of Schwarzenegger."

Hawke nodded slightly, "Release it as soon as possible. California is already a mess. The messier it gets, the better. Only in troubled waters can we catch fish."

Brian said, "I realized the more chaotic society is, the more advantageous it is for political newcomers like me."

They toasted: "Buddy, let's make America thoroughly chaotic."

"Right!" Brian gulped his glass. "Let's be agents of chaos together."

...

After leaving the restaurant, Hawke got in his car and received a call from Megan.

She said, "The shows you mentioned will air tonight -- consecutive documentaries."

Hawke told Raul to drive and said, "Looks like I'll make it on time."

Megan invited spontaneously, "Erica is on a business trip. Come to Brentwood. Caroline and I will watch with you."

How could he refuse? He replied, "I'll be there in twenty minutes."

He tapped the driver's seat: "Go to Brentwood."

...

In less than half an hour, the Mercedes pulled into the driveway of Caroline's Brentwood villa.

Caroline's house was right next to Megan's; both had side doors for easy visits.

Hawke entered the living room.

Slender Caroline leaned against Megan, an attractive American woman, watching TV.

Hawke sat between them and noticed Fox 11's Ace News had already started.

...

Host Aisha was introducing today's news theme.

The program name came from Hawke: We're All the Same.

After the title was a rainbow flag representing special groups.

The first episode mainly showcased the lives of African American queer individuals in Compton.

At this stage, terms like multiple genders or self-identifications weren't yet prevalent.

Though documentary-style, the so-called facts were selectively shot and edited.

The media showed viewers only what they wanted them to see.

The internet helped somewhat, but like Hawke's work on Twitter, online media also manipulated public opinion.

So, We're All the Same painted these individuals as born this way, forced to endure discrimination but striving to integrate.

All portrayed positively.

...

Caroline said, "This is entirely different from my understanding."

Megan said simply, "To make mainstream society -- or at least part of it -- accept them, they need to highlight their role."

Caroline said, "Based on Twitter data, I prepared statistics. Even generously, this group makes up only about three percent of the U.S. population. Can they really unleash the power predicted?"

"Their potential is beyond your imagination," Hawke said, putting an arm around one of them. "When a marginalized group, once supposed to be discarded by natural selection, suddenly stands center stage as the absolute protagonists, their mentality shocks.

They'll fight to shine and reclaim what society owes them. They'll use every means to remain the focus and avoid losing status."

Megan gave an analogy: "Like those breakout celebrities."

Hawke ate a grape fed by Caroline and continued, "Their actions will clash with traditional forces. The country and society will become incredibly lively."

Should these people gain power, their deeds could upheave the nation's foundations.

Hawke recalled past advocates were actively promoting this movement.

What would America look like in the future?

He was eager to find out.

The three chatted briefly about the show until Megan opened her mouth toward Caroline, "I want some too."

Caroline ignored her, "Get it yourself."

Megan dragged Hawke up: "Show's over. Let's go upstairs -- don't bring her."

Caroline bared her white teeth: "This is my house!"

Hawke held onto one of the women and headed toward the stairs, saying, "Stop it. Come upstairs -- we'll eat until you're full."

Elsewhere, Brian contacted his team and headed straight to San Francisco overnight.

*****

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