The premise reminds of discussions of computing in Ra. https://qntm.org/aum

> "Don't talk about the future," Vidyasagar says.

> "What? Why not?"

> "Look at this computer," Vidyasagar says, gesturing at the mainframe. "Computers are getting more powerful, yes?"

> "Sure."

> "What is the most powerful computer that will be built? Ever. Not this year. Not this decade. What computer will be the most powerful? And how powerful will it be? And how big?"

> Hatt thinks on this for ten long seconds. He opens his mouth, but never actually forms a word. The scale of the question is beyond him.

> Vidyasagar says to him, "No matter what you say, you will look like a fool. Every statement about the future turns out to be foolish."