RPAGF Chapter 3: The Forest World - The First Photograph Appears
Chapter 3: The Forest World - The First Photograph Appears
A gentle breeze swept across the green hills and clear waters, caressing every branch and leaf in the forest.
Spring 2018 arrived in Phoenix Kingdom, along with the International Science and Technology Conference co-hosted by Phoenix and the Great Turtle.
All the technologically advanced countries in the forest were present; the young people who love learning and value technology also attended.
In the center of the conference hall, a long crystal table was lined up, and representatives from various countries took their seats in turn.
The host, the phoenix, was dignified and composed; the giant tortoise, with its thick shell, remained seated in the center.
The eagle has sharp eyes and folded wings, displaying the posture of a long-established power; the eagle, with its upright posture and romantic temperament, carries pride in its bones.
Because of the previous drunken incident, the giraffe curled up its tall body and sat quietly in the corner, watching its surroundings and listening to its surroundings.
The other members of the flock huddled together, chattering loudly, but unable to express any words of unity.
After the representatives from various countries took their seats, Phoenix announced the official start of the conference, whose theme was "The Origin of Science and Technology and the Leap of Civilization".
To everyone's surprise, the first person to speak on stage was Diao, who was usually a man of few words.
The eagle stood before the podium, cleared its throat, and scanned the entire room. Its voice, though not loud, carried an undeniable confidence:
"Ladies and gentlemen, today I want to show you something, a major breakthrough in the history of human civilization: the world's first photograph."
As soon as Diao finished speaking, the entire audience fell silent, their eyes wide open.
With a flap of its wings, the screen lit up, and a blurry yet historically significant black-and-white photograph slowly appeared:
The old photograph shows the rooftops, eaves, and distant houses seen through a window, dappled with light and shadow, serene and ancient.
The sculpture slowly said: "Ladies and gentlemen, this old photograph is called 'View from the Window,' and it was taken by our inventor Niepp in 1826."
He coated the asphalt onto a tin plate, placed it in a darkroom, and exposed it for more than eight hours to permanently capture the light and shadow in a photograph.
This is also the first time since we came to know the forest world that we have used light to freeze and preserve the world's scenery, without relying on paintbrushes or sculptures.
After introducing his invention, the sculpture, with a resolute expression, uttered Niépce's famous quote, word by word:
"I have finally done it—to leave an eternal mark on the light and to stop the passage of time."
The entire audience was immediately stunned, and applause erupted continuously.
The elephant looked surprised: "So the roots of photography are in the country of eagles?"
The eagle nodded in response: "This is more than just a photograph; it's a watershed moment in civilization."
The giraffe frowned slightly, looked at the giant tortoise, and whispered:
"Brother Turtle, what do you think? This thing seems so simple."
The giant tortoise slowly raised its eyes, its gaze deep and unfathomable, and looked at the giraffe. Its tone was calm, yet every word carried immense weight:
My friend, you were once the ruler of the forest, so you should know this better than I do.
All hegemonies are backed by technology; all declines begin with underestimating technology.
The giraffe was taken aback: "Big Turtle, is it that important? It's just a photo."
The giant tortoise's reply was unhurried, yet carried a weight that seemed to have transcended time:
Behind every photograph lies the principles of the darkroom, chemical photosensitive technology, and optical breakthroughs.
Without these, there would be no cameras, movies, television, mobile phones, satellite remote sensing, or artificial intelligence.
What you consider small today could become a key factor in changing wars, trade, intelligence, and culture tomorrow, and could even define who is at the center of the world.
The giraffe lowered its head in thought upon hearing this. The giant tortoise continued:
You and the eagle once dominated the forest, but what did you rely on? Powerful ships and cannons? Plundering wealth?
No, it relies on technology that other countries don't have.
The fact that the first photograph was taken in the country of Diao was not due to luck.
It is the result of the whole country attaching importance to scientific research, respecting invention and innovation, and being able to invest funds in long-term trials and endure countless failures.
Today's dominant powers, if they do not prioritize technological research and development, are essentially digging their own graves.
The giraffe listened quietly, nodding in approval repeatedly.
The phoenix watched the giant tortoise with a smile the whole time, and after the giant tortoise finished sharing, it softly took over and added:
"Science and technology know no borders. In order for our forest world to bear more fruits of technology, we must unite and work together."
"Yes, let's unite and pool our wisdom and efforts!" the elephant beside him shouted in agreement.
The meeting continued, but the atmosphere had changed.
As the representatives from various countries looked at the blurry yet powerful photograph, they all silently reflected:
It turns out that what changes the world is often not earth-shattering slogans, but one inconspicuous technological breakthrough after another.
It turns out that the confidence of a hegemon always lies in the laboratory and in its unwavering commitment to technological research and development.
After the meeting, the eagle and the giraffe gathered around the giant tortoise and said in unison:
"Brother Turtle, you're right! Countries that underestimate technology are destined to go nowhere."
The giant tortoise raised its head, gazed into the distance, and began lecturing everyone again:
Remember, the rules of the forest world have never changed—whoever controls the source of technology controls the direction of the future.
Through our study of the dominant rulers throughout history and the millennia-long changes in the forest world, we have discovered an ironclad rule:
The degree to which any hegemonic power, no matter how powerful it once was, places its emphasis on technological development directly determines the length of its national destiny.
For any rising nation, no matter how humble its starting point, the degree to which it invests in technological innovation ultimately determines the height of its position.
A photograph can now reflect more than just the scenery inside and outside the window.
It is also an extension of one world to a larger world, a reverence for the unknown, a dedication to innovation, and a world that is established by a love and ambition for invention.
And this is precisely the eternal, unchanging great change in the forest world.
Can the giant tortoise's technological suppression hold back the rise of the Phoenix Kingdom?
Which race will be the next technological storm to erupt in the forest world?
Follow the author to be the first to read Chapter 4 of "The Great Changes in the Forest World"—the excitement continues!