# XXI explained — The Cosmic Computer

> Chapter companion for The Cosmic Computer by H. Beam Piper.

## What happens

The chapter depicts the aftermath of Merlin's trial and the moral dilemmas surrounding the computer's existence. Conn and his group debate whether to destroy Merlin, while a telecast from Koshchei threatens genocide if attacks continue. Merlin's computations confirm the Federation's inevitable collapse, leading to a plan for Poictesme's self-sufficiency and the decision to falsify data to maintain hope.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Leadership

The group decides to falsify Merlin's data to prevent panic and maintain social order, highlighting the ethical compromises of leadership.

### Technology and Humanity

Merlin, a computer, is put on trial and asked to judge its own fate, blurring the line between machine and moral agent.

### Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The knowledge of the Federation's collapse threatens to trigger the very violence and anarchy it predicts.

## Character check-ins

### Conn Maxwell

Leads the debate on Merlin's fate, runs new computations, and presses the button to initiate Merlin's output.

### Kurt Fawzi

Vows to die before allowing Merlin's destruction, arguing for its use to solve local problems.

### Judge Ledue

Initially suggests destroying Merlin, but later questions leaving the decision to the computer.

### Mike Shanlee

Warns against violent Federation collapse and suggests asking Merlin the 'big question' about falsification.

### Sylvie Jacquemont

Exclaims about Merlin being corrupted into a liar, and accompanies Conn to see his mother.

### Rodney Maxwell

Reports that Conn's mother is unconscious and expresses regret that Wade is away.

## Key lines

> Falsification . “So Merlin’s got to be a liar, too, along with the rest of us!” Sylvie cried.

Sylvie exclaims that Merlin must now become a liar like everyone else, after the computer's answer reveals the need for falsified data.

_Highlights the theme of deception and the moral compromise required to maintain hope._

> If you decide to destroy Merlin, you’ll have to decide to kill me, first,” Kurt Fawzi said, his voice deadly calm.

Kurt Fawzi declares he will not allow Merlin to be destroyed, even at the cost of his own life.

_Shows the intense personal attachment and desperation tied to Merlin as a symbol of hope._

> We do not want to use genocidal weapons of mass destruction against the world of our birth. But whether we do or not rests solely with you.

Simon Macquarte warns that the Koshchei colony will launch genocidal missiles at Poictesme if attacks continue.

_Illustrates the extreme tensions and the threat of mutual destruction reminiscent of real-world nuclear standoffs._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters