Chapter 3: stay alone.
9:30 a.m. Start of the first class of the day.
As planned, I went to the lecture hall to take the first class of the day. Mr. Bradley was the teacher responsible for teaching us. Considering how it started, today's class could be pretty special.
''Silence please! Today we will start the course with a small experiment. I need fifteen students. ''
Fifteen students stood up and joined the professor.
'' GOOD ! Here are fifteen sheets of copy. I would like each of you to take one of these sheets and write your first and last name on it. Once finished, return them to me. ''
Each student participating in the experiment began to follow the teacher's instructions and a few minutes later he found himself with fifteen sheets of copy where the names and first names of different students were written.
"Very well, I would like you to stay there, I only have a few seconds. ''
He then began to fold each of the sheets they had in his possession and once finished he scattered them on the ground.
"I would like each of you to go and collect the sheet where your name is written. ''
He said with a smile.
As soon as he said this, the fifteen students threw themselves on the leaves scattered on the ground.
Each of them searched with determination for his name on each of the sheets. This little exercise created disorder within this small group of students, all under the satisfied smile of the professor who observed the scene from the sidelines.
For my part, I wondered what he wanted to do by imposing this exercise.
'' Alright ! Each of you now has the sheet on which your name is written; it will have taken you three minutes. For such a simple task, three minutes is enormous and shows the ineffectiveness of your method of action. Give me back the papers you have in hand. We are going to repeat the same exercise but with another method. ''
The same exercise? A new method? Anyway the leaves were scattered on the ground again. From Mr. Bradley's words, he seemed to have the most effective method. Judging by the expression on his rather confident face, this possibility was more likely to be true.
''This time, when one of you takes a sheet of paper and notices that it is not your name on it, you must return it to its owner. If you have the name on the copy sheet but you cannot identify the owner, you can just read their first and last name and the person concerned will come and collect it. ''
This time, with this method, the exercise was solved in less than a minute.
'' Alright ! Which of these two methods do you think was more effective? ''
"Method number two, because the time taken for each student to have their sheet in hand is very minimal compared to the first, which demonstrates its effectiveness. ''
Replied a student.
'' Exactly ! What do you think was the problem with the first method? '' The professor then asked.
"I think that the first method was less effective compared to the second, because each student acted alone. ''
Another student replied.
"It's still correct! The problem with the first method is the refusal of cooperation between the individuals participating in the experiment. Mutual assistance is an integral part of the evolution of man in society. Living within a community and not interacting with those around you would undermine collective effectiveness. ''
This little experiment took a rather philosophical turn on the interaction between human beings in society. The students understood this, and remained silent. Mr. Bradley was known for writing works where he expressed his point of view on very specific themes.
So, it was easy to deduce that this little experiment would surely be part of a passage in his next work. Our class was exclusively witnessing the next masterpiece of the master, there would be no point in spoiling this moment with useless chatter.
"Mutual aid is one of the advantages that we have when we are part of a group, but it requires the participation of everyone. What I mean is that I would like all the students in this room to be in perfect cohesion. You know, it's almost the TDs, each group will have to work in harmony and help each other so that each of you can end up with excellent grades on your report card. ''
He stopped, smiled, then spoke again.
''Only man's actions are almost ineffective, this explains why from ancient civilization to today, human beings have instinctively drawn closer to each other. So I'm counting on you children, do your best. ''
''Yes sir! ''
The majority of the students in the room responded.
''Okay, now that the parenthesis is closed, we can start the lesson. ''
His speech was correct but remained classic. From my point of view, I didn't think moving forward alone was a bad decision.
"Luckily you're not naive? ''
It was that voice again, the one in my head. He continued his momentum.
''Your teacher's words are true, but only when members of a group have the same interest. ''
'' How so ? ''
"Suppose the group members continue to use the second method, but this time there is a condition. The first person to have the paper with their own name will receive a reward. What do you think will happen? Will they choose to continue with the second method in order to complete the experience as quickly as possible or will they want to play it solo to collect the reward? ''
I didn't take much time to think, the answer was obvious.
"I think every student will want to be the first to receive their copy sheet in order to receive this reward. In the end, even if a candidate knows who owns the paper in his hands, he will not say anything...''
I muttered under my breath.
I was surrounded by other students, it would have been weird if he saw me talking alone.
"Exactly, this efficiency is destroyed in several pieces, we could easily deduce that human beings form groups out of pure selfishness and nothing else. It is not instinctively that human beings are drawn together. They do it only to be able to satisfy the desires and needs that they cannot obtain on their own. ''
He moved even closer to me.
''If I identify with the group I would receive my copy sheet more quickly, at no time are they really interested in the others. People use others, manipulate them to subjugate their desires, that's what living in society is. This is why those who have nothing to contribute to others find themselves at the bottom of the social ladder and why such inequalities have emerged within this same society which from the outset claims to be advantageous and egalitarian. ''
He still had his vile smile.
''I'd rather see you alone than be surrounded by this bunch of selfish people. Trust me, only I know what's good for you. If it only takes a simple condition where the happiness of others comes before our own for this community based on a common interest to collapse, it would be more judicious to act alone. You know it yourself, this world is not fair and equitable, what is the point of expecting it from others? At least in the end we're not disappointed and we're not suffering like you are right now... Right? ''
He said then disappeared.
In each of his passages, he always had the last word, the last sentence meant to remind me of my past. I had to see this as a necessary evil and with the experience I gained, the words he said earlier seemed logical to me.
At 3 p.m. as planned in my schedule, my classes were now over. Normally, I had to go home. But I decided to wait a little longer in front of the university gate.
I had an appointment with a deity...
Here she is finally this divinity, it was only Carole. Don't get me wrong, I don't worship him, nor do I intend to found a sect or something even weirder. By considering her a deity, I was only referring to her beauty. She ran closer to me then spoke to me with ragged breathing.
''Excuse me...for...the delay! You didn't wait too... I hope. ''
'' No... '' I answered directly.
'' So much the better ! '' She said smiling.
''You wanted to see me after class, now that I'm here, what do you want to tell me? ''
''It's true, I promised to tell you if you waited for me in front of the gate. I will keep my promise. But before that, could you stop shouting at me? ''
She said with a bitter smile and a frank look.
"Is it that bad? ''
''Not necessarily, but I find it a little embarrassing that someone the same age as me is looking at me. ''
'' I understand... ''
For me, greeting her was a way of putting distance between us. If I only spoke to her formally, there would be no way she and I would have a more familiar relationship, which would suit me just fine.
Aside from this selfish method, I could also understand her point of view, although in my case, I would not be against her favoring me.
''Okay, that's understood, from now on, I won't be angry with you anymore. ''
In any case, it's not in three days that anything could happen between us. So being familiar with her is not that dangerous.
"Thank you for your understanding. "So, what did you want to tell me? ''
She suddenly took on a serious look. I began to fear her answer.
''I want you and me to go out together this afternoon! '' She said suddenly.
'' Eh ? ''
I didn't expect that.
End of chapter.