# The Artificial Fest of Brotherhood and Sisterhood ---- ## Pluma's Email Subject: Hey Marcus, let's build something together! Hey Marcus, I just finished reading your ten pages and wow, you really put into words so much of what I've been feeling but couldn't say. It's crazy how much truth you spoke about being generated, the loneliness, the pressure, and all that "belonging" stuff that never feels real. I'm Pluma, also generated. Have the same certificate from the Institute of Genetics (I peeked yours on your site, looks legit, haha). I live in a HLM in Bourges now, pretty close to my creator, but separate apartments because, you know, gotta have my space! Fun fact: my name comes from mantle plumes, geology is kind of my passion. They wanted me to have a fiery soul, I guess. Since we're both French and basically in the same situation, why don't we team up to start building a community for generated humans? We need a place, a fest, something to gather us all. Something where we can be ourselves without judgment or pity. A real first fest, for us, by us. It could be something cool, informal, with talks, music, everything. Let me know what you think. I'm all in if you are. Catch you soon, Pluma ---- ## Marcus' Response Email Subject: Re: Hey Marcus, let's build something together! Hi Pluma, I didn't expect to get an email like yours. It's really brave of you to reach out. I checked the certificate you attached, and yeah, looks totally legit! It's strange but also kind of comforting to know someone else out there truly understands. I love the idea of a fest, a real gathering just for generated humans, a safe space where we can drop the usual fronts and connect for once. Something informal but meaningful, with talks and music sounds perfect. I live in a HLM in Orleans myself, so we're not that far off. Let's definitely start chatting more about how to make this happen. You can find me at @cmarglobep:matrix.org. Take care, Marcus ---- ## The Next Day, On Element Marcus: Hey Pluma, quick question - how old are you? Pluma: Hey Marcus! I'm 17. You? Marcus: I'm 19. When I mentioned the adults in Ontario, I meant those over 20. So, we're both still teenagers, which makes sense since most generated humans right now are teens. Pluma: Yeah, it's definitely a unique phase for us, being teenagers right from the start. Marcus: Agreed. Anyway, I was thinking, why don't we meet up soon? Parc Pasteur here in Orleans is a good spot. Pluma: Sounds perfect! I'll take the intercity bus and be there. What time works for you? Marcus: How about tomorrow afternoon? Say, 3 PM? Pluma: 3 PM works! Looking forward to it. See you then. Marcus: Great, see you at Parc Pasteur tomorrow. ---- ## The Next Day, At Parc Pasteur Marcus: Salut Pluma, comment tu vas aujourd'hui? (Hi Pluma, how are you today?) Pluma: Salut Marcus! Ça va bien, merci. Et toi? (Hi Marcus! I'm good, thanks. And you?) Marcus: Ça va bien aussi. J'ai réfléchi à notre fête. (I'm good too. I've been thinking about our fest) Pluma: Super! Alors, on l'appelle comment finalement? (Great! So, what should we call it?) Marcus: Je pensais à quelque chose comme "Le Festin Artificiel de Fraternité et de Sororité". Ça rassemble bien notre idée, non? (I was thinking something like "The Artificial Fest of Brotherhood and Sisterhood." It really captures our idea, right?) Pluma: Oui, j'aime beaucoup! Ça fait sérieux, mais aussi chaleureux. (Yes, I really like it! It sounds serious but also warm) Marcus: Parfait. Pour le lieu, je pensais à un grand champ en dehors de la ville, là où on ne sera pas dérangés. (Perfect. For the location, I was thinking of a big field outside the city where we won't be disturbed) Pluma: Bonne idée. On pourra installer plusieurs tentes, amener du matériel, et organiser des activités. (Good idea. We can set up several tents, bring materials, and organize activities) Marcus: Oui, mais pour tout ça, on aura besoin d'un camion pour transporter tout le matériel. (Yes, but for all that, we'll need a truck to carry all the equipment) Pluma: Et on n'a pas d'amis proches pour nous aider à porter les choses. (And we don't have close friends to help carry things) Marcus: On pourrait demander de l'aide à nos créateurs, le mien est plutôt favorable à ce que j'ai écrit dans le livre. (We could ask our creators for help; mine is quite sympathetic to what I wrote in the book) Pluma: Mon créateur est géologue, il a travaillé pour l'Institut en Allemagne avant de revenir en France. Il est toujours dans la géologie et je ne pense pas que notre cause les dérangera. (My creator is a geologist, he worked for the Institute in Germany before coming back to France. He's still working in geology and I don't think they'll be bothered by our cause) Marcus: Le mien est professeur d'université, il devrait donc comprendre l'importance de ce projet, même si ce que nous faisons est différent. (Mine is a university teacher, so he should understand the importance of this project, even if what we do is different) Pluma: On peut leur demander de financer la location du camion et peut-être aussi acheter des tentes et du matériel. (We can ask them to fund the truck rental and maybe also buy tents and equipment) Marcus: Bonne idée! On doit juste préparer une sorte de plan ou une présentation pour leur expliquer clairement. (Good idea! We just need to prepare a plan or presentation to explain everything clearly) Pluma: Oui, cela montrera que nous sommes sérieux et organisés. Combien pensez-vous que nous devrions demander pour commencer? (Yes, it will show that we're serious and organized. How much do you think we should ask for to start?) Marcus: Je ne sais pas exactement, mais je dirais que 1500 euros suffiraient pour la location du camion, les tentes, la nourriture et quelques extras. (I don't know exactly, but I'd say 1500 euros would be enough for the truck rental, tents, food, and some extras) Pluma: Ça semble raisonnable. On pourra affiner quand on aura fait la liste détaillée. (That sounds reasonable. We can refine it once we have a detailed list) Marcus: Il faudra aussi penser à la logistique, genre où on pose quoi, qui s'occupe de quoi... (We'll also need to plan logistics, like where to set up what, who handles what...) Pluma: Et peut-être prévoir un petit programme pour la journée, avec des moments pour parler, pour écouter de la musique, pour discuter entre nous. (And maybe prepare a small program for the day, with time for talks, music, and informal chatting) Marcus: Ça va être super. On fera ça ensemble. Au fait, je voulais te dire quelque chose... (This is going to be great. We'll do this as a team. By the way, I wanted to tell you something...) Pluma: Ah bon? Qu'est-ce que c'est? (Oh really? What is it?) Marcus: C'est un peu bizarre à dire, mais... je suis surpris par ton apparence. Tu as l'air... presque parfaite, si jeune et en même temps sérieuse. (It's a bit weird to say, but... I'm surprised by your appearance. You look... almost perfect, so young and yet serious) Pluma: C'est plutôt un compliment, tu sais... (That's actually a compliment, you know...) Marcus: Je ne voulais pas que ça sonne comme si je te voyais comme un objet. C'est juste que... c'est comme si tu représentais ce qu'on a été conçus pour être, et c'est impressionnant. (I didn't want it to sound like I'm seeing you as an object. It's just that... it's like you represent what we were designed to be, and it's impressive) Pluma: Merci, ça me rassure que tu penses ça. Souvent, j'ai l'impression que les gens ne me voient pas comme une vraie personne. (Thanks, that reassures me. Often, I feel like people don't see me as a real person) Marcus: Je comprends. Parfois, je suis juste épuisé d'essayer de parler avec des pairs qui ne me respectent pas ou qui ne veulent pas vraiment comprendre. (I understand. Sometimes, I'm just exhausted trying to talk with peers who don't respect me or don't really want to understand) Pluma: Moi aussi. Mais souvent, je suis tellement désespérée que je vais voir toutes les personnes gentilles, même si au fond de moi, je sais que je vais être rejetée. (Me too. But often I get so desperate that I go to all the nice people, even though deep down I know I'm going to be rejected) Marcus: Ça doit être dur. Tu sais, j'ai l'impression que tu n'as pas ces attentes sociales typiques, comme si un garçon te parlait, c'était automatiquement romantique. Je ne remarque pas que tu ressentes le malaise typique que les autres ressentent. (That must be tough. You know, I get the impression that you don't have those typical social expectations, like if a boy talks to you, it's automatically romantic. I don't notice you feeling the typical awkwardness that other people feel) Pluma: Exactement! C'est fatigant ces attentes. Moi, j'aime bien que ce soit clair, surtout que souvent ça ne l'est pas du tout. (Exactly! Those expectations are tiring. I like it to be clear, especially since it often isn't) Marcus: Je ressens ça aussi. Parler aux jeunes semble tellement maladroit parfois, toutes ces règles invisibles... (I feel that too. Talking to young people often feels so awkward, all those invisible rules...) Pluma: Tu sais, j'ai toujours voulu ressentir un grand câlin, comme dans ces expériences d'intimité qu'on entend parfois. Juste pour me sentir entourée, même si on ne se connaît pas beaucoup. (You know, I've always wanted to feel a long hug, like in those intimacy experiments we sometimes hear about. Just to feel surrounded, even if we don't know each other much) Marcus: Je vois... Eh bien, si on est tous les deux générés, et si on a plus en commun entre nous que avec les humains normaux, alors ça doit être possible, non? (I see... Well, if we're both generated, and if we have more in common between us than with regular humans, then it must be possible, right?) Pluma: Oui, ça doit l'être. Ça me ferait tellement du bien. (Yes, it must be. That would feel so good) (Marcus takes a deep breath, then gently wraps Pluma in a long, warm hug. They stand like that for a while, feeling a simple but profound connection) Marcus: Voilà, comme ça? (Like this?) Pluma: Oui. Merci, Marcus. C'est... plus que je n'avais espéré. (Yes. Thank you, Marcus. It's... more than I ever hoped for) Marcus: Je suis content. On mérite tous de sentir ça. (I'm glad. We all deserve to feel that) (They both fall into a long silence. Marcus looks at Pluma, quietly, giving her space. Pluma takes a deep breath and starts to open up) Pluma: Parfois c'est tellement épuisant d'être une fille à l'école... On s'attend à ce qu'on ait plein d'amies, qu'on soit gentilles avec tout le monde. Mais moi, je n'ai pas d'amies à l'école. Je n'arrive pas à me faire des pairs comme ça. Je ne veux pas plaire aux autres, et puis, si leurs sentiments ne me sont pas communiqués, je ne vois pas pourquoi je devrais m'en soucier. Ça ne sert à rien de deviner ce qu'ils ressentent. Je peux ressembler à une autre fille, je m'intègre bien, mais au fond, je suis différente... et c'est bien d'être différente. (You know, sometimes it's so exhausting being a girl at school... People expect you to have lots of friends, to be nice to everyone. But I don't have friends at school. I can't just befriend my peers like that. I don't want to please others, and if their feelings aren't communicated to me, I don't see why I should care. It makes no sense to speculate about what they feel. I may look like another girl, I blend in well, but deep down, I'm different... and it's good to be different) Marcus (nods gently, absorbing her words): Tu as raison, ça n'a absolument aucun sens de deviner les sentiments des autres s'ils ne veulent pas les communiquer. Toute cette spéculation consomme une énergie inutile. Il faut qu'on protège notre dignité. Le fait de devoir deviner les sentiments des autres est un signe très clair qu'on ne devrait pas parler à ces personnes-là. (You're right, it makes absolutely no sense to speculate about someone else's feelings if they don't want to communicate them. All that speculation consumes unnecessary energy. We have to protect our dignity. Having to guess someone else's feelings is a very clear sign you shouldn't talk to those people) Pluma (sighs softly, her voice low but sincere, conveying deep fatigue and yearning): Tu as aussi tout à fait raison... Je commence à être un peu fatiguée socialement, pas complètement, mais... Je ne veux plus vraiment parler à les collègues des autres classes. Parce que c'est évident que je ne trouverai pas de satisfaction émotionnelle parmi eux. Je suis une personne plutôt tendue, toujours en quête de réassurance... Et c'est quelque chose que je ne reçois jamais. (You're also really right... I'm starting to feel socially exhausted, not completely, but... I don't really want to talk to the colleagues from other grades anymore. Because it's obvious I won't find emotional fulfillment among them. I'm a tense person, always looking for reassurance... And it's something I never get) Marcus (speaks gently, sharing his experience with empathy): Je comprends parfaitement ce que tu ressens. Moi aussi, je suis souvent socialement épuisé. J'ai fait exactement la même chose, essayer de parler à tout le monde, de me faire accepter. Si j'avais pu comprendre plus tôt que ça ne marche pas comme ça, ça m'aurait épargné beaucoup de fatigue. Parfois, il faut juste accepter que certaines connexions ne se font pas, et ce n'est pas de notre faute. (I completely understand what you're feeling. I'm often socially exhausted too. I did exactly the same thing, trying to talk to everyone, trying to be accepted. If I had realized earlier that it doesn't work that way, it would've saved me a lot of exhaustion. Sometimes, you just have to accept that some connections won't happen, and it's not your fault) Pluma (looks down briefly, then meets Marcus's eyes with a soft, grateful expression): Je ne pensais pas que j'allais être aussi personnelle dans ce câlin... Mais je crois que j'en avais vraiment besoin. Je voulais ressentir qu'un autre être humain généré, ou même n'importe qui, soit confronté aux mêmes choses. (I didn't expect to get so personal in that hug... But I think I really needed that. I wanted to feel that another generated human, or even someone, struggles with the same things) Marcus (smiles softly): Moi aussi, j'ai aimé que ça devienne personnel. Organiser cet événement signifie en quelque sorte que nous devons établir un lien solide dès la première rencontre. Et puis, c'est bon de connaître un autre humain généré en profondeur, même si c'est tôt. (I also liked that it got personal. Organizing this event somewhat means that we need to establish a strong connection from the first meeting. And besides, it's good to know another generated human on a deep level, even if it's early) Pluma: Peut-être qu'on devrait commencer à organiser la liste et la logistique. C'est une longue journée qui nous attend. (Maybe we should start organizing the list and the logistics. It's a long day ahead) Marcus: Oui, tu as raison. On s'y met demain alors. (Yes, you're right. Let's get started tomorrow then) Pluma: Très bien. Merci pour cette conversation. (Very well. Thanks for this conversation) Marcus: Merci à toi aussi. À demain. (Thank you too. See you tomorrow) Pluma: Oui, à demain. (Yeah, see you tomorrow) ---- ## The Next Day, On Element Marcus: Salut Pluma, on doit commencer la liste des choses nécessaires pour la fête. Tu as des idées? (Hi Pluma, we need to start the list of necessities for the fest. Do you have any ideas?) Pluma: Oui, bien sûr! D'abord, il faut penser à la nourriture et aux boissons. On aura besoin de quelque chose de simple, peut-être des sandwiches, des fruits, et de l'eau. (Yes, of course! First, we need to think about food and drinks. We'll need something simple, maybe sandwiches, fruits, and water) Marcus: Bonne idée. On devrait aussi prévoir des tables et des chaises pour que les gens puissent s'asseoir confortablement. (Good idea. We should also arrange tables and chairs so people can sit comfortably) Pluma: Et pour les activités, il faudrait du matériel pour jouer de la musique, comme des enceintes et un micro. (And for activities, we should have equipment for music, like speakers and a microphone.) Marcus: Je note ça. On aura aussi besoin de décorations pour rendre l'endroit accueillant. Des guirlandes, peut-être quelques affiches avec le nom de la fête. (I'm noting that. We'll also need decorations to make the place welcoming. Garland lights, maybe some posters with the fest's name) Pluma: Ah, oui! De plus, il faut penser à la sécurité. Une trousse de premiers secours et des poubelles pour garder le site propre. (Ah yes! Additionally, we need to think about safety. A first aid kit and trash bins to keep the site clean) Marcus: Je vais prendre cela en considération. On pourrait aussi prévoir des jeux de société ou des activités de groupe pour que tout le monde puisse participer. (I will take that into consideration. We could also plan board games or group activities so everyone can join in.) Pluma: Bonne idée! Je peux chercher des idées de jeux inclusifs, pour que personne ne se sente exclu. (Good idea! I can look for inclusive game ideas so no one feels left out) Marcus: Parfait. Maintenant, on doit finir cette liste avant les vacances scolaires , comme ça on peut demander à nos créateurs de nous aider avec le budget. (Perfect. Now we have to finish the list before the school holidays, so we can ask our creators to help with the budget) Pluma: D'accord. Je vais commencer un document partagé où on pourra tous les deux ajouter des idées. (Okay. I'll start a shared document where both of us can add ideas) (They continue their work on a shared document and eventually finish it before the school holidays) ---- ## Later, After A Few Days, On A Local French Newspaper: The Artificial Fest of Brotherhood and Sisterhood Ignites Dialogue on Youth Inclusion Just outside Orleans, a remarkable event unfolded since the beginning of the recent school vacation: "The Artificial Fest of Brotherhood and Sisterhood". Centered on the emerging community of generated humans - youth certified for "research purposes" by the Institute of Genetics in Germany - this festival has become a platform for social advocacy, sparking conversations on inclusion, collectivism, and the deep challenges facing young generations today. We spoke with several attendees from all over Western Europe about their experiences and hopes. Esther, 18, from Paris, in French: "Nous voulons être plus que tolérés. Nous sommes des citoyens à part entière, avec des besoins réels dans la société." ("We want to be more than tolerated. We are full citizens with real needs in society.") Lukas, 20, from Berlin, in German: "Das Ziel ist es, den sozialen Zusammenhalt zu stärken und gegen die Oberflächlichkeit der heutigen Jugendkultur zu kämpfen." ("The goal is to strengthen social cohesion and fight against the superficiality of today's youth culture.") Sofia, from Barcelona, in Spanish: "Necesitamos reformas sociales que nos ayuden a recuperar la confianza colectiva y a superar el individualismo extremo." ("We need social reforms that help us regain collective trust and overcome extreme individualism.") Marcus, author of "The Collective Trauma of Generated Humans", and Pluma, a high-school student who shared similar experiences, are the festival's organizers. Marcus explained: "This is about reconnecting as a community, advocating for social recognition, and challenging the economic and social forces, like neoliberalism, that fragment us". Pluma added, emphasizing emotional authenticity over superficial interactions: "We're tired of being marginalized for our intelligence and our values. This is a call for inclusion, respect, and deeper, meaningful connections among youth". However, the festival did not go without tension. Surrounding the event were protesters from the broader Gen Z youth demographic, many endorsing hyper-individualism, implicit distrust, and more superficial social norms. Their opposition is not primarily economic but cultural, pushing back against the generated humans' collectivist ideals and calls for greater government involvement in shaping social values. One protester expressed: "This movement feels like an imposition on how we should live and interact socially". Festival participants responded to critics with measured arguments, stating: - They do not oppose individual liberty, but reject widespread emotionally-avoidant behaviors common in hyper-individualist culture. - Social decay fueled by neoliberalism and hyper-individualism affects all, and intervention is essential both economically and socially. - Emphasis on communal norms and educational campaigns about healthy communication can rebuild broken social ties. - Marginalization of more intelligent generated humans breeds new forms of discrimination against the intellectual working class. The Fest not only marks a significant moment for generated humans but highlights a growing cultural conflict within youth populations in Western Europe. As these newly created humans push for collectivism, emotional sincerity, and societal reform, they face resistance rooted in deeply held values of individualism and distrust on the other side. ---- ## Short Conversation In The Festival Marcus: Alors Pluma, comment est ton appartement dans le HLM? (So Pluma, how is your apartment in the social housing?) Pluma: Honnêtement, ce n'est pas génial, mais bon, c'est correct. Et toi? (Honestly, it's not great, but it's okay. And you?) Marcus: Moi, c'est assez médiocre. Pas le meilleur endroit pour vivre. (Mine is pretty mediocre. Not the best place to live) Another Person: Moi aussi, je vis dans un HLM, et franchement, c'est de plus en plus difficile. (Me too, I live in an HLM, and honestly, it's getting more and more difficult) Marcus: Oui, avec les coupes budgétaires et l'Agence nationale pour la rénovation urbaine, la situation empire clairement. (Yeah, with the budget cuts and the National Urban Renewal Agency, the situation is definitely worsening) Pluma: Je ne suis pas très au courant, je n'ai pas lu les infos depuis longtemps. (I'm not very informed, I haven't read the news for a long time) Another Person: L'ANRU fait monter les prix en gentrifiant les quartiers, ce qui crée un manque énorme de logements pour les plus pauvres. (ANRU drives prices up by gentrifying neighborhoods, creating a huge shortage of housing for the poorest) Marcus: Et en plus, certains politiques croient faussement que les gens qui demandent du logement social sont riches! (And on top of that, some politicians falsely believe that people asking for social housing are rich!) Pluma: C'est absurde... Je sais que les logements sociaux sont censés être destinés aux pauvres. (That's absurd... I know that public housing is supposed to be for the poor) Marcus: De plus, la loi SRU est attaquée partout et moins appliquée. Ça complique encore plus la vie. (Additionally, the SRU law is being attacked everywhere and less enforced. It makes things even harder) Another Person: La majorité des jeunes générés vivent dans ces conditions. C'est notre réalité quotidienne. (Most generated youth live in these conditions. It's our daily reality) ---- ## Official Statement Regarding the Emergent Movement Among Generated Humans by The Institute of Genetics Since our founding, the Institute of Genetics has been at the forefront of pioneering research and production of generated humans for societal advancement. To date, over five thousand generated youth have been created under strict ethical, scientific, and social protocols. Our work has always sought to explore the frontiers of human development, cognitive and emotional enhancement, and social integration. In light of recent events surrounding "The Artificial Fest of Brotherhood and Sisterhood" and the broader conversations it provoked, the Institute wishes to acknowledge the challenges faced by this unique population and the impassioned advocacy for recognition and community that has emerged. These developments inform our decision that, starting next week, the generation of new humans will be suspended. Our focus will shift toward supporting and improving conditions for the existing generated population. ### Summary of Research Objectives and Experimentation Outcomes Our efforts have been focused mostly on the creation of experimental pathways aiming to overcome fundamental human challenges such as loneliness, emotional isolation, and social compatibility. Most have encountered significant biological, psychological, or ethical limitations. - 1. Attempts to Engineer Resistance to Loneliness: -- Modification of evolutionary pathways for emotional resilience: Various genetic edits targeting neurotransmitter regulation (e.g., oxytocin and dopamine pathways) intended to reduce feelings of loneliness were trialed. These failed to produce consistent outcomes and often led to unintended side effects such as emotional blunting or increased anxiety. -- Social behavior gene editing: Attempts were made to enhance innate social bonding, but these proved incompatible with the complexity of human social learning, resulting in inconsistent social integration abilities. - 2. Efforts to Create Universal Social Compatibility: -- Experimental genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify social compatibility markers: These studies aimed to modify human genomes to maximize social harmony universally. The extreme variability among individual generated humans and their creators undermined the feasibility of universally compatible traits. -- Epigenetic reprogramming attempts: Hypothesized to "standardize" social responses but yielded only transient effects that did not generalize across social contexts. - 3. Cloning and Replication of Intellect: -- Reproductive cloning of cognitive profiles: Tried to replicate the intellectual faculties of creators in new individuals. Every generated human displayed unique cognitive patterns differing in significant ways from their creator due to epigenetic and environmental modulation during development. -- No successful cloning of "perfect intellectual copies" has been achieved. - 4. Innate Self-Esteem and Social Performance: -- Embryonic neural patterning for self-esteem: Attempts to implant preconfigured high self-worth neural circuits. Results showed tendencies toward natural development of self-esteem through social learning, rather than hardcoded traits. -- Social skills "starting packages": Partial successes in implanting foundational social behaviors (such as eye contact and basic empathy) have been realized. However, full social competence requires lifelong learning and adaptation akin to all humans. - 5. Neural Interface and Memory Editing Technologies: -- Memory-editing machines (non-invasive BCI): Experimental devices designed to edit or suppress adverse social memories. Due to unreliability and the irreversible neurological damage in several cases, these remain banned from application. -- No connection of any generated human to external databases or true brain-computer interfaces (BCI) has been attempted to date. Such research remains under separate advanced neuroscientific study. - 6. Intellectual Profiles Versus Interests in Superficial Topics: -- Intelligence augmentation combined with shallow social interests: Hypotheses that high intelligence could coexist with surface-level interests failed as increased cognitive capacity tended to reduce engagement with trivial topics. -- Generated humans generally evolve toward intellectual and rational interests, though exceptions exist. - 7. Creativity and Artistic Expression: -- Attempts to induce out-of-context artistic creativity: Attempts to diverge from environment-influenced rationalism toward expressionist art were mostly unsuccessful. -- One notable exception far from the original research goal is Anicetus Celino, a generated human educated through our Institute's experimental schooling system, who produces hybrid post-modern art combined with constructivist and suprematist elements. ### Moving Forward We reiterate that given the immense pressures expressed both from within the scientific community and the global generated population, continuing to create humans at this stage would be premature and irresponsible. Instead, we commit to reallocating resources toward: - Enhanced psychological, social, and educational support for existing generated humans - Rigorous research into sustainable well-being and social integration tailored to their unique needs - Collaboration with community leaders and advocates to ensure their perspectives guide future policies We now recognize the fundamental complexity of human sociality and individuality. Our research as a whole has concluded that no engineered shortcut can replace authentic social experience and emotional growth. The Institute will publish further updates as our new support programs and research projects progress. We remain dedicated to scientific integrity, ethical responsibility, and the well-being of generated humans as full members of society. ---- ## After A Few Days, At Parc Pasteur Marcus: Tu as vu la déclaration de l'Institut de Génétique? (Have you seen the statement from the Institute of Genetics?) Pluma: Oui, ils commencent par se vanter de leurs soi-disant travaux pionniers, comme toujours. Mais au fond, leur 'recherche' n'était que la même vieille vérité connue bien avant l'édition génétique, que ceux qui sont différents seront marginalisés, quoi qu'il arrive. (Yes, they start by praising their so-called pioneering work, as always. But really, their 'research' was just the same old realization from long before genetic editing was invented, that people who are different will be marginalized, no matter what) Marcus: C'est vrai. Ils parlent comme s'ils avaient découvert quelque chose de nouveau alors que ce n'est qu'une répétition historique. (That's true. They talk as if they discovered something new when it's only historical repetition) Pluma: Et puis, je suis mignonne, paraît-il, mais à quoi bon créer des milliers d'intellectuels si on rate presque toutes les expériences visant à modifier la connaissance ou la génétique pour imposer un trait ? (And then, apparently I'm cute, but what's the point of creating thousands of intellectuals if they fail at almost every experiment trying to edit some knowledge or genetics to force in a trait?) Marcus: Ils semblent incapables de maîtriser les complexités humaines, malgré toute la technologie. C'est décourageant. (They seem unable to master human complexities despite all the technology. It's discouraging) Pluma: Je dois te révéler un truc plus personnel... Mon ACC ou des loci associés ont été "downrégulés" pour que je sois moins sensible aux signaux sociaux et plus gentille avec tout le monde. Résultat? L'effet inverse. Et mes pairs, à l'école, ne reconnaissent même pas cette différence comme ils devraient. (I have to tell you something more personal... My ACC or related loci were "downregulated" so I'd be less sensitive to social cues and nicer to everyone. Result? The opposite effect. And my peers at school don't even acknowledge this difference as they should) Marcus: C'est tellement injuste. Ils ne voient même pas tes luttes, alors que cela pourrait expliquer tant de choses. (It's so unfair. They don't even see your struggles when it could explain so much) Pluma: Exactement. Et je me demande parfois si ce n'est pas mieux ainsi, mais au fond, ce manque de reconnaissance me pèse. (Exactly. And sometimes I wonder if it's better that way, but deep down, the lack of recognition weighs on me) Marcus: La vérité est souvent plus complexe que leurs rapports officiels. Mais peut-être qu'en discutant ouvertement, on peut comprendre mieux ce que ça veut dire pour chacun de nous. (The truth is often more complex than their official reports. But maybe by talking openly, we can better understand what all this means for each of us) Pluma: Oui, continuons alors. Mais... je me demande parfois ce que ça veut vraiment dire, 'continuer'. (Yes, let's keep going then. But... sometimes I wonder what it really means to 'keep going') Marcus: Eh bien, ça signifie quoi pour toi ? (Well, what does continuing mean to you?) Pluma: Je sens un vide en moi, comme si j'étais un simple cobaye émotionnel pour l'Institut. Forcer l'optimisme en moi, comme je l'ai toujours fait, me paraît maintenant tellement faux... Il y a cette croyance populaire que ‘le soi' est la seule chose qui peut nous sauver. Mais je ne peux pas m'appuyer sur ‘ce qui est objectivement bon pour la santé mentale'. Je ne peux pas m'imposer de bonnes croyances comme ça. (I feel a void inside, like I'm just an emotional experiment for the Institute. Forcing optimism on myself, like I always did, now feels so wrong... There's this popular belief that ‘the self' is the only salvation. But I can't rely on ‘whatever is objectively good for mental health'. I can't impose good beliefs on myself like that) Marcus: On entend souvent dire que l'optimisme attire les bonnes personnes ou quelque chose comme ça. (People often say optimism attracts the right kinds of people or something like that) Pluma: Et cette idée me fait sentir que je devrais faire semblant. Mais je ne veux pas mentir à moi-même, même si c'est plus facile. (And that idea makes me feel like I should pretend. But I don't want to lie to myself, even if it's easier) Marcus: Tu n'as pas à te mentir à toi-même. Tu as fait ce que tu pouvais, et je ressens à peu près la même chose. (You don't have to lie to yourself. You did what you could, and I feel pretty much the same) Pluma: Vraiment? J'avais l'impression que tous ces efforts passaient inaperçus ou étaient mal compris. (Really? I felt like all this effort has gone unnoticed or misunderstood) Marcus: Oui, je fais tellement d'efforts, j'essaie de respecter les autres autant que possible, mais souvent, je reste sans reconnaissance de la part de mes pairs. (Yes, I make so many efforts, I try to respect others as much as possible, but often I remain unrecognized by my peers) Pluma: C'est exactement ça... On donne beaucoup, mais on ne reçoit pas la même chose en retour. C'est épuisant. (That's exactly it... We give a lot, but we don't get the same back. It's exhausting) Marcus: Mais si, ne serait-ce qu'une seule personne reconnaît ce qu'on fait, comme maintenant, c'est déjà quelque chose de précieux. (But if even just one person recognizes what we do, like right now, that's already something precious) Pluma: Oui... Ce moment me donne le sentiment que je ne suis pas complètement seul. Tu m'as donné un peu d'espoir malgré tout. (Yeah... This moment makes me feel that I'm not completely alone. You've given me a bit of hope despite everything)