The Gathering

I dreamt a dream within a dream and found myself with Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander, Pythagoras, and Musk. We were gathered around the table in Pythagoras’ home, laughing, drinking, talking. Pythagoras raised his goblet for another toast.

“Fellow seekers, we are most fortunate on this most auspicious night to enjoy the benefaction of Mr. Elon Musk’s most convenient time machine!”

“Here, here!” we all cried.

“Plato,” he continued, “we are grateful for your work, The Republic, for its dedication to blueprinting an ideal society. Socrates, we are grateful for your inspiration. Aristotle, we are grateful for your legacy, and Alexander, for your execution. Musk, we are most grateful for your invention! Let us take this opportunity to explore and inscribe the ideal society, with Master Musk’s input adamantly considered.”

Everyone took another sip, and looked back at Pythagoras.

“Musk, my friend...”

“Yes, Master.”

“Given your understanding of Plato’s Republic, in conjunction with your understanding of our world several thousand years from this moment, what would you advise we do?”

Musk smiled, and proceeded to speak.