By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone

Cover art by Zonagirante Studio 

You might ask yourselves, How has such a small, specialized media outlet, so involved in other topics, managed to gain access to the most powerful man in the world? How, moreover, in his hectic schedule, has he found the time to meet with us at such a turbulent time, on the verge of Donald Trump's new inauguration? (which, of course, he supported with all the tools at his disposal), before the elections in much of Europe, while wildfires ravage California, while the massacre in Gaza continues, And is the Chinese New Year approaching?. Ours was luck; we sent an email to a direct email address of that person, without even expecting a "I can't" or a "I'm not interested.".  And here we are, standing before Lucifer himself. Okay, A man so rich he could buy many third-world countries (and some first-world ones) and still have enough money to support a family of millions for generations. The first thing we noticed was that he arrived in Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt that said «"I scammed too many people and all I got was this stupid t-shirt."» and some Converse sneakers made many years ago. However, on his wrist he sports a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, valued at approximately 28 million euros, and he has a very heavy gold chain around his neck. Also, before the interview, we should share some details about Mr. Vale's life, since some of our readers are unaware of certain aspects of his biography:

Lucifer D. Vale was born in a small town in Silicon Valley in the 1980s, son of an engineer obsessed with artificial intelligence and a philosopher who wrote about the concept of free will. From childhood he showed an almost obsessive fascination with understanding how the world worked, not so much to adapt to it, but to manipulate it. In his teens, he built his first machine learning program, which could predict the emotional responses of his classmates. This earned him an equal number of admirers and enemies. At 19, he was expelled from a prestigious university for an "unethical" experiment involving algorithms and students' personal data.But this only cemented his legend. At 22, He founded Inferno Systems, a startup initially focused on predictive software that soon evolved into total control of human data. His vision was always clear: «"Information is not power, it's control.". Under his leadership, Inferno Systems became a conglomerate spanning from social networking to neurotechnology, controlling fundamental aspects of daily life without users realizing the extent of it.

Vale is known for his sharp rhetoric and his ability to mask dark messages with humor and impeccable logic. He is a philanthropist in his own way, funding sustainability projects while simultaneously promoting technologies that deplete natural resources. In his personal life, he is an enigma: he is rarely seen in public and his social circles are made up of global leaders and figures of power. While some see him as a visionary savior, others accuse him of being the perfect symbol of ruthless capitalism. Lucifer D. Vale is unfazed by criticism; he always responds with his catchphrase:

«"Heroes light the way, but villains pave it."»

*****

Good afternoon, Mr. Vale. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. We must admit that your reputation precedes you, both in technological circles and… in other, more obscure ones.

Oh, please, call me Lucifer. And don't worry, we don't bite... much. Although, who can resist a little bite of an apple, right? [smiles mischievously]

Fascinating analogy. You are known not only for revolutionizing technology, but also for your polarizing positions. How would you describe your vision for the future of humanity?

Simply put: total efficiency. Humanity has proven time and again that it is a creature of chaotic habits. My job is to organize that chaos. Neural networks that predict every thought, implants that translate desires into data. Imagine it: a world where you no longer have to make decisions because technology makes them for you. Freedom is such a… last-century concept.

But don't you think that could generate ethical concerns or even resentment among people?

Ethics? [raises an eyebrow] What a lovely word. People don't want ethics; they want convenience. If you offer them a button that solves their problems, they'll press it without reading the fine print. And I'm the guy who writes that fine print.

So, are you not afraid of the repercussions of a world completely controlled by algorithms and technology?

Fear? I invented fear, my dear. [Laughs softly] But let me rephrase your question: what's worse, an out-of-control world where humans make stupid decisions daily, or one where algorithms, created by my brilliant team, ensure that every action has a purpose? It's pure math.

It sounds chilling, but brilliant. What do you think of the criticism that your technologies promote social inequalities?

Oh, I love that criticism. Whenever someone accuses me of perpetuating inequalities, I ask them: «"Do you have a smartphone? Did you pay for your membership on my platform?"» Because, ironically, it's those same "critics" who finance my empire. Equality is a convenient illusion to soothe consciences. And I, humbly, offer a mirror so everyone can see their true reflection.

Changing the subject, you've talked a lot about digital immortality. Do you really believe that souls, so to speak, can be downloaded to a server?

What is a soul, if not data? [leans forward, with an intense gaze] Memories, emotions, preferences… all reducible to zeros and ones. Digital immortality isn't a theory; it's a beta product. And believe me, when we launch the final version, heaven and hell will be subscription services available for a modest monthly fee.

Finally, Mr. Vale, if you could leave a message for humanity at this critical moment, what would it be?

Clear. [He adjusts his watch, smiles coldly] Dear humanity, relax. Trust me. My only intention is for all of you to live in a better world… on my terms. At the end of the day, who doesn't want to be part of something bigger than themselves? I'm simply offering the opportunity to belong.