Human-alien encounters -- Fiction; Science fiction; Short stories
However, that would have to wait. Order had to be brought to this
conference if anything was to be accomplished.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please!" he called. "These accusations. We are
getting nowhere. I have taken the liberty to make arrangements to have
the representative of the newly formed Congress of American Sciences
address you. Are you agreeable?" He raised his eyebrows inquiringly,
and meeting no objection, pressed the button on the table before him.
Professor Manklethorp was ushered in, bobbed his head to the assembled
delegates and came to the point immediately. "The problem which you
are discussing has many ramifications. I would like to bring to your
attention a few which should be examined with care.
"First, the choice of colonists must not be on a national basis, nor
on one based upon political or monetary prominence. If it is, we, as a
race, are doomed. This new planet, no matter how well prepared for us
by the Galactic Union, is going to be a challenge such as man has never
faced before. This challenge cannot be met by politicians, no matter
how glib, nor by wealthy men, no matter how many dollars they possess,
nor by titled ones, no matter how old and honored their names. We must
pick trained specialists who will be able to meet the problems that
arise in the new world.
"Our congress recommends that all persons, of all nations, who
have college degrees, be given thorough tests both for I.Q. and
for accumulated knowledge, and that the highest thousand be chosen
irrespective of nation or race."
Pandit Hari Kuanai smiled quietly. "May I ask the learned professor a
question?"
"Of course. That is why I am here. We want only to have this matter
decided on a strictly scientific basis."
"My poverty stricken country has a population of possibly one fifth of
the world total, but fewer university men than one of your large cities
might boast. Your desire to choose men by their I.Q. has its merits,
but I have no doubt that in my country we have men of tremendous
intelligence who cannot even read or write, aside from having a
university degree. Must my widely illiterate people go unrepresented in
the new world?"
A muscle twitched in the professor's face. "Needless to say, the
Congress of American Sciences has considered that. However, we must
view this matter in a spirit of sacrifice. The best of the world's
population must go to the new world. Possibly whole nations will
go without representation. It is too bad ... but, unfortunately,
necessary."
Sven Carlesen put up his finger for recognition. "It seems to me there
is another serious loophole in the professor's recommendation. He wants
the thousand to be made up of university graduates of high I.Q. and
considerable accumulated knowledge. I am afraid I foresee the new world
being populated with elderly scholars." He smiled. "Like the professor
himself, who, I understand, has a phenomenal I.Q."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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