HC that Simon from Iron Lung has OCD. He's had it since he was little but it has gone wholly unchecked. Upon the onset of the quiet rapture, Simon's violent intrusive thoughts were seen as a virtue by Eden. A sign that he could do what needed to be done. So Eden fostered this violence. Told Simon that it was righteous. That he was saving all life by taking from the few.

And then the tree died. The violence wasn't enough. It never was but now the evidence was undeniable. Simon started to realize that it was all his fault. (Maybe his intrusive thoughts began to shift in a very self flagellating way. Every breath he took was evil and wrong. Maybe it was that that allowed him to actually develop a conscience beyond the fear driven beliefs he had become.) In the worst moment possible, Simon the Butcher lost his nerve.

... you know the rest.

That being said, was the "google is free" era of arguing online a primer for engineering AI reliance? I mean like in the same way companies will try to force a meme or a trend as free marketing.

----------

Some random grunt type: Stratt is requesting a private meeting with you at this random hour.

Grace: I will be there immediately as a matter of fact I'm teleporting

...

Grace: What do you mean you thought we were fucking

----------

Stratt: Grace it is important that you know literally everything. Sit in this meeting with the people I have deemed top experts. Also give me your opinion on their proposals.

...

Maybe because he thought he would starve anyway so why prolong it. Maybe it has something to do with him prioritizing comfort above all else. Maybe he spent so long making sure his students, at the ripe age for body issues, were eating that skipping a meal felt like a cardinal sin he wouldn't consider.