Interdimensional Scientist, Starting from Cyberpunk

Governor Newsom looked like a typical redneck, but his attitude towards high-tech and automation industries was surprisingly friendly, even enthusiastic.

In his words: "We have vast expanses of arable land. If one tractor with some high-tech fertilizers can do the work of 100 people and feed 10,000, why wouldn't we like these things?"

"Farming, farming, then working in factories—you have no idea how damn boring these jobs are. Luckily, I got a bit luckier.

The so-called Green Revolution, Internet technology—I've watched these technologies enter small towns, and that's way more interesting than pure farming.

So before we begin our discussion, I want to tell you, though I look like a rugged old redneck, I love machinery and high-tech stuff.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone into film."

After a night of rest and reflection, he was now much more composed, aligning with the public image he usually portrayed.

Leo nodded in agreement.

Through their earlier conversation, he had learned more about the current state of politics.

First, President Ellis was a typical ruling party politician, having risen to power with the support of traditional resource groups and leaning significantly towards them in his policies.

About two and a half years ago, the supertanker Knock of Republican Oil and Gas Company spilled a million gallons of crude oil in Pensaraco.

Ellis managed to cover it up, eventually wrapping it up ambiguously as an "accident."

Global oil prices soared as a result, especially domestically—

"That's the funny part—soaring oil prices are one of the reasons he advocates for reigniting warfare, yet he has no intention of prosecuting the company responsible."

"Speaking of oil—what about Roxxon Oil Company?"

Newsom was momentarily puzzled: "Which company?"

Leo shook his head: "Never mind if you don't know."

Roxxon Energy Company had always been a background entity in the Marvel universe, but Leo found online information indicating that the company had been acquired by Republican Oil back in the last century.

Not just acquired, even the name Roxxon Oil was shelved—

Thus, the largest oil giant in the U.S. now was Republican Oil and Gas Company. However, a different name didn't mean Leo could relax his vigilance:

This Republican Oil Company had grown at a staggering pace over the past few decades, expanding without facing antitrust investigations.

It was also a major sponsor of the ruling party.

Something was very off.

Additionally, in this timeline, Ellis had won the election and launched a war post-9/11, causing significant changes within the ruling party.

The most notable shift was abandoning rural voters and increasing support for urban industries while altering local governance strategies.

Now, they not only emphasized strengthening national defense but also promoted federal policies, aiming to standardize regulations across states.

"So, in summary—" Governor Newsom adjusted his position, "Our president and the ruling party plan to revive manufacturing through military actions and—

I hate to say it, but everyone knows, we fucking love oil.

If we can achieve resource monopolization, many problems can be solved, at least temporarily.

We, on the other hand, have been trying to shift from oil to solar, hydro, and wind power for a long time, but that stuff is just too appealing.

Honestly, we've been hit so hard, we're disoriented.

So whatever you want, we'll fully support it, because frankly, there's nothing left to support."

Blunt, indeed, Governor.

Politicians are politicians; to maintain political power, they first need an economic base. If it doesn't exist, they can still use the remaining political power to build one.

The two are somewhat mutually reinforcing.

Leo was slightly surprised, amazed by the governor's frankness.

Newsom continued, "If it were someone else, they'd probably haggle with you forever. Let's be straightforward."

"Alright," Leo responded decisively. "First, the chips. I'll have Dr. Toomes handle this in San Francisco. We need—"

"I understand. I can represent the California government to allocate funds, offer tax exemptions, and provide large tracts of land. If you're willing to engage with schools, I can help connect you."

Newsom confidently added, "Rest assured, I'll give you maximum support within my power."

"That's great."

Leo indeed had such plans.

Whether it was brain-machine interface surgery, blood production, or the technical equipment used in the process, more doctors, engineers, and workers were needed.

From the University of California to community colleges and technical schools, all were sources of labor.

"But how do you plan to use these chips? Pardon me, but it seems only you guys will use them."

"Currently, that's true, but blood isn't," Leo explained. "The scale of artificial plasma production is proportional to the demand for chips, and we'll use a lot of automation technology.

The production process requires many workers, engineers, and facilities."

"Can you give me an approximate figure?"

"Sure." Leo opened his laptop. "A standard plasma production line produces 8,000 units of whole blood per year. Considering various costs and factors affecting production, a factory can have eight production lines.

Each factory needs about 240 workers, managers, and engineers.

In New York, we estimate supporting 3-5 such factories."

At Yale University's current plasma cost of $200 per unit, a factory's revenue would be $12.8 million, generating about $50 million annually just in New York.

This is purely based on cost calculations; the actual selling price will be higher.

Whole blood products can also be refined into various plasma, platelet, and red cell medicines.

In summary, the potential is huge, and growing the business could lead to hundreds of billions in annual cash flow.

Crucially, this cash flow could stimulate other industries, unlike the problematic real estate finance sector. Medical demand is perpetual.

This is a long-term, stable industrial chain.

Plasma is the main focus, along with a large batch of upcoming pharmaceuticals: immunosuppressants based on lizard bile pigments, various stimulants, and cardiotonics.

"This is just the beginning," Leo pointed to the interface behind Newsom. "Here, using this as a foundation, we can transform the lives of tens of thousands of disabled and elderly people.

We can even develop more auxiliary exoskeletons for civil engineering, improving efficiency and speeding up construction projects."

The conversation inevitably circled back to those chips.

The market demand is more than sufficient. The impact of this industry chain on society, both upstream and downstream, is undoubtedly significant.

In reality, the governor wasn't thinking far enough ahead: brain-computer interfaces will fundamentally change the logic of human-machine interaction, and what's being discussed now is just the tip of the iceberg.

But this is already enough—the promise is tantalizing.

Even this small glimpse is enticing enough to make people salivate.

The governor slowly said, "This is great, so great I feel like I'm dreaming.

But speaking of this, you know, we have a huge problem right now. The Department of Defense has procured a batch of secret weapons from CyberTech.

The unveiling of these secret weapons could change the stance of some swing voters in Congress on the AMF-13 bill, but we don't even know what those things are.

If the bill passes, many resources will have to be directed towards the military-industrial complex, especially that batch of freshly printed money."

If the AMF-13 bill passes, more support policies won't be feasible in the short term.

And if these things truly make a significant impact on the battlefield, victory will greatly increase societal momentum, making public opinion more susceptible to change.

Leo closed his laptop. "But we can only focus on what's in front of us right now."

"Yeah."

The governor looked out the window. After a brief silence, he suddenly said, "Let me try out your new technology. Give me a set, and I'll stand up for you."

"That's dangerous. Once you do it, there's no turning back."

"I know." The governor smiled, "But trust me, if I appear on stage with my movie persona, hell, that'll be epic."

His approval ratings would skyrocket.

Since the governor was so bold, Leo was, of course, ready to play along.