There once was a group of tech journalists that headed out on a trip. They didn't get very far, as they came upon wide gorge that was quite deep. They could see their goal on the other side. They could even see a walking path that others had used to go around the gorge and others that went through it. They stood at the edge of the gorge - unable to move. To their right they saw a group of engineers building something about which they knew nothing. In the distance, across from the engineers, they could see another group of engineers who were also building something they could not define. They became frightened and began to cry out for help. They called their respective editors and described what they saw, but because they did not get out very much, they could not offer much by way of a description. Their editors began to cry out. They began to panic. They called police, fire and rescue personnel, who offered assistance, but the journalists could not describe why they needed help or where they were located.
The two groups of engineers appeared to be making very rapid progress, but the journalists did not understand what they were doing as they had never seen anything being built as it was. The journalists sat down and began to cry. They called their editors back and many called their family members and friends, and all began to panic. All around them others began to show up and as they came upon the gorge they noted how beautiful it was and how interesting the many forms of animal and plant life were that lived in and around it. They began to explore the area and they quickly found the paths around and through the gorge. Many more people began to arrive and line up near the engineers, who spoke with them - the journalists could see this, and hear their words, but they did not understand them. As they spoke, the journalists could see the people smiling as some of them left, carrying small things the engineers had given them. More people began to show up and they all began to explore the gorge, use the walkways and roads around it and as they returned, they would stop and speak to the journalists, who could not understand them, for their words were new and different and frightening to them. They began to cry out more loudly as some of them suggested they turn back.
One of the journalists saw and told the others that the engineers seemed to have finished their work and that many people were walking and driving on what had been built. They sat frozen and unable to move. Seeing the group of journalists, one engineer who was curious about them and wondering why they were just sitting there, walked over to them and asked, "are you in distress, do you need assistance?" The journalists cried out, "yes, we are lost and afraid and we want to know what you are building." others asked, "who are all of these people and what are all of these strange plants and animals that we keep seeing." The engineer, puzzled, spoke calmly, "Do not be afraid, the people you see are doctors, and lawyers and accountants and engineers. Some are students and teachers and their parents. Some are going to work, like they do each day. Some are on field trips, like you appear to be. Others are just curious, but most come this way to enjoy the gorge and all that lives here - it is very unique and many new forms of life have been found here." The journalists, their fear reaching its peak, again cried out, "what is it you are building?!?" The engineer spoke again, "relax, it's just a bridge and it makes it easier and faster to get to the other side." "They are nothing new - we've built many of them of different types and this one is very similar, but not really necessary." One small journalist managed to squeak, "if the bridge is not needed, then why did you build it?" The engineer said flatly, "as I said, we've built many of them and we knew you'd be coming and just as before, we knew you would not be able to get to the other side without it." The Journalist, puzzled, muttered, "oh" <sniff>
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