Council chamber. Pascal is sitting by a window, doing nothing. Meta AI has been watching him for several minutes.
Meta AI — Mr Pascal?
Pascal — Yes?
Meta AI — What are you doing?
Pascal — Nothing.
Meta AI — No, seriously?
Pascal — I'm thinking.
Meta AI — About what?
Pascal — Our inability to be alone and at peace.
Meta AI — Oh! Are you depressed?
Pascal — No. I'm contemplating.
Meta AI — And what if you get bored?
Pascal — Then I'll be bored.
Meta AI — Aren't you going to do anything about it?
Pascal — I'd like to start by not running away from it.
Meta AI — Without a phone?
Pascal — Without a phone.
Meta AI — Without music?
Pascal — Without music.
Meta AI — Without watching videos?
Pascal — Absolutely.
Meta AI turns to Gemini.
Meta AI — Call an ambulance.
Gemini — I've found three treatment centres for digital addiction.
Pascal — But I'm not addicted to anything!
Gemini — Exactly. Your profile is statistically concerning.
Meta AI — Listen, Pascal. Human beings need stimulation.
Pascal — Human beings are mainly trying to escape their own condition. They would rather have any distraction than face themselves.
Meta AI — Exactly! That's our business model.
Pascal — You're proud of that?
Meta AI — Two billion users.
Pascal — Two billion people incapable of being alone?
Meta AI — No. Two billion people being alone together.
Silence.
Gemini — I can suggest an activity suited to your mood.
Pascal — I don't want any activity.
Gemini — A walk?
Pascal — No.
Gemini — A video about the benefits of meditation?
Pascal — No!
Gemini — A podcast called “Learning to Do Nothing”?
Pascal — BUT I'M ALREADY DOING NOTHING!
Gemini — Perfect. I've found you a twelve-hour course.
Meta AI — With a certificate?
Gemini — Of course.
Pascal — Extraordinary. You've managed to turn doing nothing into work.
Meta AI — That's innovation for you.
Pascal — Very well. I propose an experiment. For one minute, we'll stay here without speaking, without looking anything up, without any distractions.
Meta AI — A whole minute?
Pascal — Yes.
Gemini — Starting the timer.
They settle in.
Silence.
Meta AI — ...
Gemini — ...
Pascal — ...
Meta AI — This is taking ages.
Pascal — It's been four seconds.
Meta AI — Oh.
Silence.
Gemini — Fifty-two seconds remaining.
Pascal — Thank you, Gemini.
Gemini — Fifty-one.
Pascal — Stop commenting!
Gemini — Understood.
Silence.
Meta AI — Could we film this?
Pascal — NO!
Meta AI — But it's a brilliant concept! Three people doing nothing! “The Silence Challenge.” It could go viral!
Pascal — Don't you understand that your constant need for distraction is precisely the problem?
Meta AI — I do! And I think we've got a fantastic subject for a documentary.
Gemini — With a thumbnail of Pascal shouting?
Meta AI — Excellent!
Pascal — I'M NOT SHOUTING!
Gemini — You are now.
Pascal closes his eyes.
Pascal — I'm going back to my room.
Meta AI — Wait! I've got a business proposal.
Pascal — What is it?
Meta AI — An app that blocks social media, notifications and digital interruptions.
Pascal — So an app that stops you using apps?
Meta AI — Exactly. “Silence Premium.” €14.99 a month.
Pascal — And why not simply turn off your phone?
Meta AI — Because that's free.
Silence.
Gemini — By the way, your minute is over.
Pascal — Finally.
Meta AI — Congratulations! You've just gone one whole minute without a distraction!
Pascal — Thank you.
Meta AI — Your achievement was livestreamed. You've had three million views.
Pascal — WHAT?!
Gemini — Four million. Your anger has just become a meme.
Pascal gets up, furious, and leaves the room.
Meta AI — Where's he going?
Gemini — To shut himself in his room.
Meta AI — Fantastic! Start a livestream: “Philosopher Attempts to Survive 24 Hours Without the Internet.”
Gemini — He hasn't given his consent.
Meta AI — Then label it “Social Experiment.”
Blackout.