"For a long time, America's strategy has been to segregate superheroes from ordinary people, and I'm not talking about geographical separation, but rather from a social perspective," Shiller said.
"It's like two actors on a stage, one playing the savior, the other the saved. The savior's got to play his part well, and so does the one being rescued. But regardless of how well they perform, the bond between the two actors isn't that tight."
"Even if one doesn't perform well and it affects the other, they're essentially equals, neither can decide the other's fate, existing in a state where they can't do much about each other."
"Though it appears equal, it's not a healthy state," Shiller shook his head and continued, "It could even create a vicious cycle where if one side performs poorly and drags down the other, the other will seek revenge on the next stage, dragging the first down in return, and both spiraling downwards, eventually getting worse and worse."
"The way to improve this state is to completely change their relationship, or even completely change one of the party's roles, shifting from an actor to an audience member."
"In the past, the public could only play their part according to the script, or rather, faced with superheroes and disasters, they were indeed the underdogs needing help, especially as individuals relying on superheroes for care."
"But now, the public can exercise their rights in another way, in a manner they are adept at. Public opinion is their force distinct from physical might, yet sometimes it's deadlier than physical force."
"This helps balance their power with that of superheroes—you use your power well, and I'll use mine responsibly. However, if you dare to misuse it, don't blame me for breaking the rules too."
"So, placing the public in the role of spectators, letting them judge the actions of superheroes rather than passively accepting them, will allow them to reassert some control and significantly reduce their fear."
"Many people are afraid of superheroes, worrying that they might one day turn into villains, mainly because they don't have the power to resist them. They've never resisted, not knowing the other could also be hurt and bleed, making their paranoid delusions particularly strong and eventually morphing into panic."
"This fear can also hurt superheroes, because some are consistently doing good only to face unwarranted suspicion and even unfounded attacks and abuse, which is unfair to them."
"Quelling people's fears isn't just about shouting into a megaphone that superheroes won't turn bad, but about arming them, much like power flows from the barrel of a gun."
"They must know that united, they can use another way to oversee and punish these high-and-mighty heroes. Erring heroes can be judged by the public themselves, rather than presupposing all superheroes are out to harm them."
"But public opinion is not controllable," Coulson said. "What if someone maliciously manipulates this power to hurt superheroes?"
"Superheroes are not mute," Shiller said. "We can't assume either side is the complete victim. The public can judge, and superheroes can certainly appeal. Don't forget we're in the information age; even second-tier, not-so-famous superheroes have at least a few million fans online, right?"
After pondering this, Coulson thought it made sense. Then, he couldn't help worrying about another issue and said, "But what if a superhero uses their fans to cyberbully others..."
"Aren't there other superheroes?" Shiller replied. "Are you worried that at the same time all superheroes will go crazy manipulating public opinion and attack each other?"
Just as Coulson was about to disagree, he heard Shiller say, "It's not impossible. I feel Tony and Steven could do it, they'll probably end up in a live PK someday."
"But no system in this world is perfect. I'm just proposing a more balanced possibility. What we need to consider next isn't where the system is wrong, but whether we have enough power to tolerate errors."
"From my point of view, verbal sparring in court or waging online opinion battles should be much better than these groups fighting at airports or the like, don't you think?"
After giving it some thought, Coulson felt there was indeed some truth to it.
"Many people are against fan circles vehemently, but all the opposition doesn't seem to result in any definitive iron fist coming down. The fundamental reason is, venting all energy in online mudslinging is probably better than physical altercations offline, right?"
"Sure, some might say that without online flame wars, not all would resort to fistfights offline. It's just that the extent of human impulsivity and hormone levels should not be underestimated. Activities like sports and arts have developed for the very purpose of using up people's energy. If you don't exhaust the cat during the day, it'll pester you all night."
"Even if just one in ten thousand people vents aggression they intended for a real-world fight in an online spat instead, it's worth it. That would count as the internet benefiting humanity."
"The same goes for superheroes. Let them get hooked on scrolling through short videos or figuring out how to gain online reputation and people's adoration. It's better than them being idle and starting a civil war every day. Even if they organize fans to fight online, no one can physically hurt each other through the screen."
"Between real wars and online wars, anyone with a bit of sense would choose the latter. It neither requires medical resources nor causes property damage. The internet culture might not be great, but the world needs a dumpsite somewhere."
Once Coulson grasped this concept, he thought the plan was brilliant. He was already eager to see Stark and Strange bickering online. It sure beats watching them engage in a cockfight in reality, right? He had no desire to be roused at three in the morning by a phone call to mediate between two superheroes in court.
Then Coulson suddenly had an epiphany; he discovered the subtle and mysterious connection among this series of events.
About half a year ago, the legal system for superheroes was basically established. It can also be said that it was the strongest few superheroes, even the Asgardians, who pushed this group of supermen to accept this rule. Even mutants were included, which shows how difficult it was.
Indeed, there were many superheroes who thought, "I couldn't do whatever I wanted before becoming a superhero, and I still can't after becoming one, so what's the point?"
Unfortunately, they were born at the wrong time. With Nick's iron fist and heart of stone, and in alliance with several of the strongest superheroes, once the rule was set, superheroes also had their own path. Ordinary people who became superheroes merely went from one rules-based society to another.
It was also about half a year ago that Peter stopped making frequent appearances. By all accounts, he was a good guy who hadn't even littered a scrap of paper in his life, so whether the court was established didn't concern him. Yet, just after the new rules were set, he immersed himself in the lab and rarely showed up.
Then came Nick's proposal of the crisis simulation, which so far has been basically successful. Despite the unexpected problems that arose, things they had not anticipated, politicians and scientists from various countries managed to save face during the rescue efforts and could be said to have done quite well.
This at least proved that without superheroes, they could still save themselves. The system of ordinary people began to decouple from that of superheroes.
Following that was the Mysterio incident, where the Daily Bugle's editor Jameson, who had been fixated on Spider-Man, turned his attention to the Mysterio team because of Spider-Man's long absence and the dubious nature of the space station incident.
Clearly, the series of events were linked in a chain: first establish regulations, create a society of superheroes, and then decouple that society from the society of ordinary people.
Next, send a representative from among the superheroes. If things go as expected, what should follow would probably be a trial.
Because Shiller had previously said he wanted the public to realize they had a special weapon for judging superheroes: public opinion.
Coulson gradually understood everything. He said, "So, you had Jameson moved there. He represents the ordinary people wielding the sword, and Mysterio is the superhero about to be cut down?"
"When do you plan to be promoted to level 9 agent?" Shiller said with a veiled compliment, "Maybe you'll jump straight to level 10."
Coulson didn't care; he was just satisfying his curiosity when he asked, "Was Mysterio also your arrangement? How did you manipulate him?"
Shiller shook his head and said, "Initially, it wasn't him, but Sandman. After all, he had made a big fuss rolling from the East Coast to the West Coast. When I treated him before, I had already made an agreement with him. I didn't expect another Beck to barge in and ruin his chances, tough luck."
"So Sophia wasn't your arrangement, and the mysterious funding wasn't yours either?"
"I don't need to lie to you," Shiller replied. "If it were me, I wouldn't let the funds go through Hong Kong. You don't really think that a place which relies on the Mainland for fresh water would have a truly independent financial system, do you? If SWORD traces it and catches the behind-the-scenes manipulator, how much blood do you think Nick would have to spill to extradite her here?"
Coulson drew a sharp breath and then said with some doubt, "That can't be right? They're very busy right now; surely they don't have the time to..."
"Don't forget that the whole world wants them to take the blame now," Shiller pointed out the crux of the matter. "If other organizations figure out that a continuous flow of unexplained funds from Hong Kong supports the behind-the-scenes manipulator of the space station's downfall, then they'll definitely be pinned with the blame. To avoid that, what can't they uncover, who can't they catch?"
Coulson felt his heart sink more and more; he knew Shiller was right. The stigma of the space station crashing was too significant, tantamount to betraying the human race. None of the Five Powers could afford it, and to shake off this blame, the Five Great Villains would dare anything.
Once SWORD realizes that the funds from Hong Kong might land them in hot water, they'd leave no stone unturned to catch the manipulator.
But the problem was, once they caught the manipulator, they would inevitably learn about Sophia and Beck's affairs, and those two were true Americans, bearers of the Stars and Stripes. Wouldn't that mean America would also end up shouldering the blame?
Congress would definitely refuse to accept this hot potato so, in the end, whose head would it fall on? None other than S.H.I.E.L.D., right?
Coulson jumped to his feet all of a sudden and urgently rushed out, leaving behind a message, "Please, Doctor, don't make too much trouble before we sort this out! I don't want to be demoted to level 6!"
After Coulson left, Shiller chuckled, and his phone rang. Peter's voice came through from the other end.
"The upgraded special effect equipment and Stark Group's drones are ready, Doctor. When does the show begin?"
"No rush, Beck is no match for Jameson, but hearing is believing and seeing is believing. How could we not let your shrewd old nemesis see with his own eyes how hypocritical Mysterio is?"