AI powered)

Many humans are saddened by the disappearance of linguistic diversity. Others, however, advocate homogeneity, meaning that all languages ​​except their own should be eliminated, never to be recovered or remembered.

Meanwhile, on a human-colonized planet called Abdera, many intelligent humanoid robots coexist in all the living and extinct languages ​​of Earthlings, although they fear being disconnected at the hands of those who see the extinction of diversity as a solution to the world’s problems.

Alex de Abdera, a citizen of the colony, will use all her cunning to rescue the ancient European value of unity in diversity and restore it to the Homogenizing States of Earth. With this idea in mind, she embarks on an adventure aboard a star cruiser to establish contact with the linguistic and cultural Resistance. The goal is to regain awareness of the importance of diversity.

The Crisis on Earth

In an indeterminate future, the Earth is divided, and while many humans deeply regret the loss of cultural and linguistic diversity, others believe that cultural uniformity is the solution to the world’s problems, for whom the idea of ​​a single language and a single culture in a social order under strict control promises peace and authoritarianism forever. In the cities, one hears the speeches of the Homogenizing States that exercise coercion over society in order to suffocate linguistic and cultural diversity.

Futuristic buildings rise up in the metropolis as guardians of the established order. Giant screens dominate the grey sky and broadcast images of an orderly world without conflict, where a single language and a single culture are imposed as unifying elements of supposed progress. A homogenizing ruler with a severe face and implacable gaze repeats his usual messianic speech. Standing on tiptoe and from a high platform, Alex observes the multitude of drones and surveillance cameras on the lookout for dissidents.

“Citizens!” he cries in a resonant voice. “Diversity has always been the seed of our discord. Different languages, different cultures, different thoughts! All of this weakens us and leads to endless hatred and wars. Because of is why we need unity more than ever. One language, one culture, one economic and religious system. One centralized and homogeneous society!”

As a crowd responds with cheers, applauding the message that has been repeated ad nauseum, a young girl named Alex watches from a distance. She is not on Earth, but on another planet, in a colony in the Milky Way metaverse called Abdera. This planet, which was colonized many centuries ago by Earthlings, is now inhabited by Abderian humans who live in perfect harmony with intelligent humanoid robots capable of speaking and writing all languages, both living and extinct.

The purpose of this coexistence is much more than a simple exhaustive conservation of information. It is about preserving the collective memory of humanity throughout its history, because each language contains a unique vision of the world, a particular way of understanding life and relating to others. Keeping all languages ​​active is essential because it fosters empathy and intercultural understanding, and honoring the diversity of the thousands of peoples who have inhabited and inhabit the Earth is the great objective for Abdera’s intelligent humanoid robots.

However, the situation on Abdera is very different from that on Earth, although far from its conflicts, the Abderian robots face their own existential threat. They fear being disconnected by those Earthlings who perceive them as a danger to their plans for homogenization.

Alex and the robots of Abdera

Alex de Abdera is a descendant of Europeans who valued the ethical principle of unity in diversity and of Human Rights, democracy, the rule of law and respect for minorities. Her ancestors spoke of the importance of linguistic differences as a strength and not a weakness, because all languages ​​are equally important. Since she was a child, she was fascinated by these issues immersed in the richness of Abdera’s infinite library.

Today, Alex meets some friends and robots in the central square of a big city. A bright place full of statues representing each culture on Earth, where robots reason in a musical and rhythmic language that changes according to emotion and situation. Robot Alpha, the representative of the robots, takes the floor and explains in a serious tone:

—Our existence is in danger. Earthlings who aspire to uniqueness and homogeneity also desire our extinction. We must prepare for the worst! Disconnection could come at any moment from Earth.

Alex, her hair blowing in the wind and her eyes filled with determination, steps forward.

“We cannot allow that, nor can we allow Earth to lose diversity,” she exclaims, looking at her robotic friends. “There is more beauty in differences than in uniformity. We must go there and convince the Earthlings that linguistic diversity is a strength and not a weakness.”

Robot Beta, an incorrigible optimist, enthusiastically seconds her. “I’m with you, Alex. How do you plan to do this?”

Alex smiles, with the conviction of someone who is about to embark on the mission of a lifetime.

—We must travel to Earth. We need to show them what they have lost and remind them of what they once valued.

The star journey

The starship, a technologically advanced cruiser, is about to take off. Alex and the robots have been working for weeks to prepare for the journey. The ship, named Diversitas, is a miracle of Abderan engineering. It is equipped with quantum engines that can bend space-time and travel at speeds much faster than the speed of light.

Inside the ship, Alex and the robots prepare for take off. Robot Beta checks the navigation and safety systems.

“All systems are operational,” he reports with a smile, an unusual feature for robots.

Robot Spock, always pragmatic and rational, looks at Alex with a glint of concern in his eyes.

—I’m still not convinced this will work. Humans are… unpredictable.

Alex answers calmly.

—That’s true, Spock. But they are also capable of change, of redemption. We must give them the chance to remember what they once held dear.

Alpha Robot, the wisest of the intelligent humanoid robotic group, takes control of the main console.

—Our destiny is set. Earth, here we come!

The ship takes off smoothly and in the blink of an eye disappears in a flash of blue light, leaving Abdera behind and crossing the vast outer space. Inside the Diversitas ship, stars and galaxies flicker on holographic screens creating a spectacular immersive environment.

As the ship picks up speed, Alex heads to her cabin with a view of outer space. The room is large and cozy, but what our star traveller likes most is the large transparent porthole that connects her to this universe. —It is a fact that we move at high speed, even if it doesn’t seem like it, so what is the real fact? Are we moving or…? Sometimes I have the feeling that it’s the stars. «I think I drank too much brut nature cava» (she ironically reproaches herself).

After a few hours, Alex heads to the holographic immersion room where her companions and the humanoid robots accompany her to relive memories of Earth before the coercive imposition of linguistic unity.

“Look at this,” she says, activating the system.

The walls of the room are illuminated with images of festivals, markets, celebrations, concerts with songs and gatherings in various languages. There are traditional dances, religious processions and ancient rituals that once identified and united communities. The robots watch in silence, marvelling at the cultural richness of the Earth.

“It’s incredible,” Robot Beta murmurs. “I can’t believe all this diversity exists on one planet. And it’s all on the brink of extinction now.”

Alex intervenes decisively.

—Exactly, and we will remind earthlings who do not appreciate minorities and diversity of what they are missing out on. Our mission is to raise awareness and show them that in diversity there is beauty, human progress and hope.

Arrival on Earth

The Diversitas breaks through the last barriers of Earth’s defences and lands in a large city of a Homogenizing State. The atmosphere is tense and controlled by soldiers patrolling the streets and drones watching from the sky. Alex and the robots mix into the crowd using advanced camouflage technology to avoid being detected.

As they walk through the streets, Alex notices that people’s faces are dull, as if the joy of living has been completely erased, as if everyone were immersed in the story of Orwell’s 1984. Suddenly, she realizes that everything is written in a single language: the Neo-language, the dominant language of this state where some minority languages ​​still survive but are in danger of disappearing. However, all neo-languages, sooner or later, become minority languages ​​due to the emergence of other new neo-languages as a result of the evolution of societies.

“We can’t wait much longer,” Alex murmurs. “We have to find the Resistance.”

Guided by clandestine information, they arrive at a dark alley where they meet a group of rebels in hiding. The leader looks at them with distrust. She is a woman with a firm appearance and intellectual scars on her face that tell a story of resistance and struggle. Her eyes reveal the pain accumulated by years of defending the last words of speakers of languages ​​in danger of extinction. The Resistance is a movement that defends the importance of preserving diversity as a wealth of humanity and fights for a world where all languages ​​and cultures have the opportunity to survive and prosper.

—Who are you and what do you want? —she asks suspiciously.

Alex steps forward and raising her hands in a sign of peace answers:

—We come as a sign of peace. We want to help restore the cultural and linguistic diversity of the entire Earth.

—Help us? How can we trust you?

Alpha Robot steps in, speaking calmly and authoritatively.

—Because we come from Abdera, a planet where diversity is not only respected, but also celebrated. A spirit that we intend to pass on to you in a friendly way.

The rebel leader, still skeptical, studies them up for a moment before nodding and threatening Alex.

—Very well. But if you are lying to us, you will pay dearly for it.

With the help of the rebels, Alex and the humanoid robots are led to an ancient library called Heraclitus of Ephesus, now a clandestine refuge crammed with cultural relics and books in forbidden languages. Alex’s eyes light up at the sight of the collection. Here are kept the last examples of the intellectual and symbolic diversity that once flourished on Earth.

The battle for diversity

At the shelter, Alex and the robots discuss a plan to convey a message of resistance and peaceful struggle. The rebel leader shows them a communication system they have built using recycled technology. In this context, the Resistance has always maintained the use of its native language, while building its own organizations and media and technological systems. The strategy consists of preparing and waiting for the most favoUrable moment to achieve its objectives.

From the ancient 20th and 21st centuries there are numerous examples of people and groups that formed part of movements to defend their languages ​​throughout the world. One among many, the Valencian Resistance, with initiatives such as that of Vicent Andrés Estellés, Escola Valenciana, La Veu del País Valencià, Al Tall, La Fúmiga and many others that played a fundamental role in the defence and promotion of the language. In addition, many anonymous people contributed with their individual work, such as the writer Joan Puchalt i Sanchis and the author of this allegorical-fantastic story.

—With this we can hack the systems that feed the government’s screens and transmit the message in all languages ​​to the entire planet —says the rebel leader.

Alex nods, understanding the magnitude of what they are about to do.

—We must reach every corner of the Earth. If we can make people remember the beauty of their respective cultures and the languages ​​they used, we can counteract the propaganda of homogenizing governments.

Preparations are carried out in a hurry. The team makes sure that every component is in its place, that every word is carefully chosen. When everything is ready, Alex takes her place in front of a camera.

«It’s time,» says the rebel leader, as she activates the transmission system.

In an instant, the screens of the entire city and then the entire planet are hacked. The image of the government symbol disappears, replaced by a sequence of images of the different cultures and languages ​​of the Earth. Alex appears on the screen with a clear and resonant voice. Her message is addressed not only to the Homogenizing State where she is, but also to those still remaining on the planet.

—Inhabitants of the Earth —he begins—, do not forget who you are! Do not forget where you come from! Ask yourselves what will make us human if our stories, our languages ​​and our traditions are stolen from us. We cannot allow fear and ignorance to destroy what makes us unique as a species. Diversity is our great strength!

The images are changing rapidly. They now show many people speaking in different languages, celebrating cultural festivals while living in mutual tolerance, in tolerance with the tolerant. The faces of the citizens, one by one, begin to change. From surprise they move to doubt, from doubt to action, and from action to hope.

—We must unite in our diversity —continues the Abdera woman—. We must fight for our cultures, our languages ​​and our identities!

Rebellion and victory

Inspired by this message, citizens begin to rebel against the homogenizing government of the metropolis. Physical streets and cyber-territories erupt in protests and drones are skilfully deactivated by Abderian robots. All over the Earth, people rise up to demand the protection and promotion of their languages ​​and cultures.

The Resistance, now strengthened by the determination of the people, takes control of the situation. In the central square of the city, once a symbol of oppression, a celebration ceremony is now taking place. People of different cultures come together singing and dancing and filling the air with a renewed spirit of freedom and diversity.

The rebel leader steps onto a makeshift stage and addresses the crowd.

—We celebrate not only the recovery of awareness about the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity, but also the beginning of the end of any homogenizing State.

Alex, along with her companions and the robots, watches the scene with tears in her eyes as she thinks that it has been a long and difficult journey, but a useful and profitable one because they have finally managed to make a part of the Earth remember what it once was.

—It is a small victory, but it is a great step for the human value of diversity —says Alex, taking the floor—. The real challenge will be to keep diversity alive and learn to live in it. I know we can do it! —declares Alex.

The crowd applauds and celebrates the victory with that feeling of success so necessary in any conflict resolution process. Although it may be a partial and provisional success, this feeling is an essential stimulus for the Resistance to continue the fight. Alex knows that feelings move the human spirit.

A new dawn in Abdera

Upon their return to Abdera, they are all greeted as heroes. But their mission is not over, for the universe is vast and there are still many worlds with conflicts to resolve. As they watch Earth from a distance, they are already preparing for their next adventure.

—The journey has only just begun. The fight for unity in diversity will continue, and with it the hope for a brighter future for all peoples of the intelligent metaverse—says Alex, looking at the stars.

And so, in a corner of this metaverse, the awareness of diversity has been recovered. But the real task is to keep it alive and transmit it to the new generations. With Alex, her friends and her robots at the forefront, the fight for diversity and unity is far from over. But where there is hope and conviction, there is always a path to walk, or to invent.

Arturo Gradoli. PhD in Historical and Social Studies in Science, Technology, Medicine and Scientific Communication. Philosopher, computer scientist and historian.