The DNA of Democracy
The idealist candidate stepped up to the podium. The spotlight illuminated his youthful face.
"My fellow citizens," she began, with earnest conviction. "Our world stands at a crossroads. We have an opportunity today to embrace a future where we can be unified around our shared goals. Imagine a country where buildings can thrive in conjunction with nature. Through sustainability and new ideas, we can finally achieve a harmonious existence with our planet and a brighter future for generations to come."
There was a wave of applause through the crowd at the capital's election-day rally.
The populist approached the podium next. His eyes burned with fiery passion.
"Enough with words and empty promises! It's easy to sell a future but we're the ones who will pay for it," his voice boomed throughout the arena. "Sustainable cities? Harmonious existence? Those things will be thrust upon you by bureaucrats. We must secure our borders, bolster our defenses, and allow our resources to be used freely. These are the pillars upon which we'll build a prosperous future!"
The crowd roared its approval, a mix of fear and fervent patriotism among their cheers.
The last candidate was the scientist. They approached the podium calmly and collected their thoughts.
"While security and sustainability are both important," they said, their quiet voice being amplified by the microphone. "We cannot ignore the potential of human advancement. We must harness the latest sciences, of genetic manipulation, to provide us with the abundance we need. Imagine a society without disease, with food for everyone, and creativity can flourish. To be clear, we aren't playing God. We are empowering each other to reach our full potential."
There was a quiet clapping from the crowd, with a mix of awe and apprehension in their faces.
The election results were broadcast at the end of the night. Television screens were projected onto shimmering bio-luminescent skyscrapers. The numbers painted a stark picture of a populace divided for what they wanted the future to be:
The Idealist: 32%
The Populist: 46%
The Scientist: 22%
As soon as the results appeared, a gasp swept through the city. The Populist had achieved a plurality of the vote. The Idealist had pleaded for unity but fell short of expectations. The Scientist fell the furthest behind, their vision of scientific enhancement perhaps too radical.
But now the real challenge began. The genetic material of these three individuals, with their vastly different ideologies and visions for the future, would be spliced and combined to create a new president. This leader would be, quite literally, a composite of their constituents.
The residents had a mix of anticipation and trepidation. What kind of president would emerge from this biological melting pot? And how would this new person be able to navigate the challenges that they collectively faced?
The newly elected president stepped onto the stage, a genetic composite of all of their candidates proportionally mixed together. The being's appearance was a fascinating blend of features: the Idealist's youthful eyes, the Populist's sharp jawline, and the Scientist's pale face and rosy cheeks.
This individual took a deep breath before speaking. Their voice resonated with a unique blend of the three people they embodied.
"My fellow citizens, I stand before you not as a single individual but as a reflection of the will of all of you. I am the product of all of your hopes, fears, and aspirations all together. I am the living embodiment of your unity and your divisions, and your shared dreams of the future."
The crowd listened intently, with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The president continued to speak about the their new approach, weaving together each of the disparate ideologies of their predecessors. They spoke of the need for a sustainable environment, the importance of security and national pride, and the need for scientific advancement.
"Our world faces complex challenges," the president's voice rising in conviction. "But we are not alone. We are a nation united, a people bound by a common destiny. Together we can overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal, and build a future that is both prosperous and sustainable for all."
The crowd erupted in applause. A wave of hope swept through the population, a renewed sense of purpose ignited by the president's words. The genetic experiment, once viewed as strange and with skepticism, seemed to hold the promise to a brighter tomorrow.
The future was still uncertain, but the people were determined to face it together under the leadership of their unique, composite president.