'Individually, bits are neither sophisticated nor useful. It is when taken as a whole that they become useful and capable of being more than themselves. Self-organization is at best, imprecise.'

Were the background cacophony of voices growing dimmer as a backdrop? Perhaps, if only slightly. The woman's voice, Motoko's voice, was confident and assured, her voice strident among those murmuring dissenters. If ever it could be said that she were in her element, that time would be now.