[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/circuitboard.png][2]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/cameras2.png][3]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/switch.png][5]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/universe.png][6]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/machine.png][7]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/universe2.png][8]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/pullswitch.png][9]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/brightlight.png][10]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/bothdwars.png][11]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/dwar-machine.png][12]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/happydwar.png][13]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/scareddwar.png][14]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/bolt.png][15]]THE END
Based on "The Answer" by Frederic Brown (1954)
Adapted to Twine by Carl Diehl
Visual Design by Carl Diehl + Bob Fortner
Source images by Carl Diehl + Adobe Firefly
Edited by Carl Diehl
2025
[[try again?|0]][img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/cameras.png][4]]Possible Answers:
[[image only|1]]
[[text only|1a]]
[[both|1b]]You ceremoniously solder [[the final connection|2a]] with gold.<style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/circuitboard.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
You ceremoniously solder [[the final connection|2b]] with gold.
</div>
The eyes of a dozen television cameras watch you and the subether bore throughout the universe a dozen pictures of [[what you are doing|3a]]You straighten and nod to Dwar Reyn, then move to a position beside [[the switch|4a]] that will complete the contact when he throws it.The switch that will connect, all at once, all of the monster computing machines of all the populated planets in the universe -- ninety-six billion planets -- into the supercircuit that will connect them all into one supercalculator, one cybernetics machine that will combine all the knowledge of [[all the galaxies|5a]]
Dwar Reyn speaks briefly to the watching and listening trillions. Then after a moment's silence he says "Now, Dwar Ev." You [[throw the switch|6a]]There is a mighty hum, the surge of power from ninety-six billion planets. Lights flash and quiet along the miles-long panel.
You step back and draw a deep breath. "The honor of asking the first question is yours, [[Dwar Reyn|7a]]"
"Thank you," says Dwar Reyn. "It shall be a question which no single cybernetics machine has been able to answer." He turns to [[face the machine|8a]].
"Is there a God?"
The mighty voice answers without hesitation, without the clicking of a single relay.
"Yes, [[now|9a]] there is a God."
Sudden fear flashes on your face. You [[leap to grab the switch|10a]]A bolt of lightning from the cloudless sky strikes you down and fuses the switch [[shut|15]]
<style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/cameras.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
The eyes of a dozen television cameras watch you and the subether bore throughout the universe a dozen pictures of [[what you are doing|3b]]</div>
<style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/switch.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
You straighten and nod to Dwar Reyn, then move to a position beside [[the switch|4b]] that will complete the contact when he throws it.</div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/universe.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
The switch that will connect, all at once, all of the monster computing machines of all the populated planets in the universe -- ninety-six billion planets -- into the supercircuit that will connect them all into one supercalculator, one cybernetics machine that will combine all the knowledge of [[all the galaxies|5b]].</div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/universe2.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
Dwar Reyn speaks briefly to the watching and listening trillions. Then after a moment's silence he says "Now, Dwar Ev." You [[throw the switch|6b]].</div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/brightlight.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
There is a mighty hum, the surge of power from ninety-six billion planets. Lights flash and quiet along the miles-long panel. [[You step back|7b]]
</div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/bothdwars.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
You draw a deep breath. "The honor of asking the first question is yours, [[Dwar Reyn|8b]]"</div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/dwar-machine.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
"Thank you," says Dwar Reyn. "It shall be a question which no single cybernetics machine has been able to answer." He turns to [[face the machine|9b]].</div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/happydwar.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
"Is there a God?"
The mighty voice answers without hesitation, without the clicking of a single relay.
"Yes, [[now|10b]] there is a God." </div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/scareddwar.png]]
</div>
<div class="text">
Sudden fear flashes on your face. You [[leap to grab the switch|11b]] </div><style>
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
}
img {
max-width: 640px;
max-height: 480px;
float: left;
}
.text {
padding-left: 20px;
padding-top: 0%;
float: left;
}
</style>
<div class="container">
<div class="image">
[img[https://clogosphere.neocities.org/if/answer/bolt.png][15]]
</div>
<div class="text">
A bolt of lightning from the cloudless sky strikes you down and fuses the switch [[shut|15]]</div>