Illuminated!
Everything fits together, and I see what I should have known from the beginning.
No more sleep.
I've got to get back to the lab and test this against the results from the computer.
This, finally, is the flaw in the experiment. I've found it.
Now what becomes of me?
August 26
LETTER TO PROFESSOR NEMUR (COPY)
Dear Professor Nemur:
Under separate cover I am sending you a copy of my report entitled:
"The Algernon-Gordon Effect: A Study of Structure and Function of Increased Intelligence," which may be published if you see fit.
As you know, my experiments are completed.
I have included in my report all of my formulas, as well as mathematical analyses of the data in the appendix.
Of course, these should be verified.
The results are clear.
The more sensational aspects of my rapid climb cannot obscure the facts.
The surgery-and-injection techniques developed by you and Dr. Strauss must be viewed as having little or no practical applicability, at the present time, to the increase of human intelligence.
Reviewing the data on Algernon: although he is still in his physical youth, he has regressed mentally.
Motor activity impaired; general reduction of glandular functioning; accelerated loss of coordination; and strong indications of progressive amnesia.
As I show in my report, these and other physical and mental deterioration syndromes can be predicted with statistically significant results by the application of my new formula.
Although the surgical stimulus to which we were both subjected resulted in an intensification and acceleration of all mental processes, the flaw, which I have taken the liberty of calling the "Algernon-Gordon Effect," is the logical extensum of the entire intelligence speed-up.
The hypothesis here proved may be described most simply in the following terms:
ARTIFICIALLY-INDUCED INTELLIGENCE DETERIORATES AT A RATE OF TIME DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE QUANTITY OF THE INCREASE.
As long as I am able to write, I will continue to put down my thoughts and ideas in these progress reports.
It is one of my few solitary pleasures and is certainly necessary to the completion of this research.
However, by all indications, my own mental deterioration will be quite rapid.
I have checked and rechecked my data a dozen times in hope of finding an error, but I am sorry to say the results must stand.
Yet, I am grateful for the little bit that I here add to the knowledge of the Junction of the human mind and of the laws governing the artificial increase of human intelligence.
The other night Dr. Strauss was saying that an experi-mental failure, the disproving of a theory, was as important to the advancement of learning as a success would be. I know now that this is true. I am sorry, however, that my own contribution to the field must rest upon the ashes of the work of this staff and especially those who have done so much for me.
Yours truly, Charles Gordon
end: report
copy: Dr. Strauss The Welberg Foundation
September 1
I must not panic. soon there will be signs of emotional instability and forgetfulness, the first symptoms of the burnout.
Will I recognize these in myself?
All I can do now is keep recording my mental state as objectively as possible, remembering that this psychological journal will be the first of its kind, and possibly the last.
This morning Nemur had Burt take my report and the statistical data down to Hallston University to have some of the top men in the field verify my results and the application of my formulas.
All last week they had Burt going over my experiments and methodological charts. I shouldn't really be annoyed by their precautions.
After all, I'm just a Charlie-come-lately, and it is difficult for Nemur to accept the fact that my work might be beyond him.
He had come to believe in the myth of his own authority, and after all I am an outsider.
I don't really care any more what he thinks, or what any of them think for that matter.
There isn't time.
The work is done, the data is in, and all that remains is to see whether I have accurately projected the curve on the Algernon figures as a prediction of what will happen to me.
Alice cried when I told her the news. Then she ran out.
I've got to impress on her that there is no reason for her to feel guilty about this.
September 2
Nothing definite yet.
I move in a silence of clear white light.
Everything around me is waiting.
I dream of being alone on the top of a mountain, surveying the land around me, greens and yellows—and the sun directly above, pressing my shadow into a tight ball around my legs.