The next day, the two men discuss the latest developments in the field of gunpowder. They discuss gunpowder's role in science and society, and how it relates to the concept of an "omnipotent" or "intelligent" being. The two men agree that gunpowder is a basic building block of all modern science, but they disagree on how it should be used. They argue that gunpowder should not be patented because it is so basic. They also disagree on whether or not scientists should be rewarded for their work, arguing that they are not rewarded for the time it takes them to develop a new idea. The men then discuss the possibility of annuling the patents of the man who invented gunpowder. The former imperial laboratory scientist says that he believes that gunpowder was invented by a man who had no idea what he was doing. He argues that gunpowder has its limits, and that no one can escape them.