Recovered 9.4*10^10 + 3.9*10^6s after the conclusion of Congregation Alpha
The increasing prominence of nondeterministic space (colloquially called "the Shift") in contemporary politics has overshadowed the greater impact nondeterministic space must have on the way we as scientists up-conceive of our world. The fundamental theory of Forerunning remains unchallenged; all those who invoke our Descendants profess firm back-certainty in the inevitability of singularity and ultimate Omega Union. However, we have as yet an incomplete up-understanding of the thermodynamics of singularity in a world that "borders upon," or perhaps (to use a musical metaphor) is underscored by, one or many others, and can exchange matter, energy, and ideas freely with them.
In such a cosmos, does our world still inevitably tend toward collapse? Is time synchronized between all possible worlds, or do seconds in some pass more swiftly than in others? If time is not synchronized, might Omega Union occur more swiftly in worlds that experience swift time? What implication do the answers to these questions have for our relationship to our Descendants?
On a more practical note, what are we to make of the extreme mutability of causality in nondeterministic (ND) space that presented us with such military and logistical difficulties during the reign of the Golden Khan? Complex living (conscious or semi-conscious) systems appear to warp nondeterministic space around them to ensure their own continued function; could a complex mechanical intellect do the same, and avoid the probabilistic effects that make current technology cease to function within ND-space? What are we to make of the fact that plants grow and function in the few oases that exist in generally arid ND-space -- are these plants, too, semi-sentient? Is some deeper principle at work? We back-understand biological and mechanical processes as interchangeable; work with ND-space should ultimately confirm this impression, but for the moment it poses a significant challenge.
The intent of this special publication of the Institute of Applied Theory is to present for the concerned reader an overview of all possible theoretical worlds that incorporate a nondeterministic space. Political implications, engineering principles, and their bearing on an individual's relationship with the Descendants are left as an exercise to the reader, but we hope that this text will serve as a firm foundation for any Forerunner with an interest in expanding the horizon of our knowledge.
