- Location
- Elsewhere
Wow, 8 posts from one sarcastic exaggeration.
The 'definition' of monster I am using here would be something like:
Lacking a (very annoying) trait which is so common that is absence is remarkable.
Perchance to Dream (Mass Effect / Commander)
- Thread starter Drich
- Start date
Wow, 8 posts from one sarcastic exaggeration.
The 'definition' of monster I am using here would be something like:
Lacking a (very annoying) trait which is so common that is absence is remarkable.
Fragnostic
Cheshire
- Location
- Neko City
Every one of you arguing about what defines a monster is wrong! A dictionary defines what a monster is!
monster
NOUN
monster
NOUN
- 1A large, ugly, and frightening imaginary creature.
'a monster with the head of a hyena and hindquarters of a wolf'
'a world of fable, inhabited by other-worldly monsters'
- 1.1 An inhumanly cruel or wicked person.
'he was an unfeeling, treacherous monster'
- 1.2 humorous A rude or badly behaved person, typically a child.
'he's only a year old, but already he is a little monster'
- 1.1 An inhumanly cruel or wicked person.
- 2A thing of extraordinary or daunting size.
'this is a monster of a book, almost 500 pages'
as modifier 'a monster 36lb carp'
- 3A congenitally malformed or mutant animal or plant.
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Sakuya's Butler
A refined Butler to a knife wielding Mistress.
- Location
- ↓, ↘, → + Punch
Still leads back to my line.
In order to fear you, you have to either have done something, or NOT done something. Image, true, is vital, but if you act against it, you'll stump them as "it looks like one, but....isn't acting like what we think a monster should be".
This still defines most if not all of post-Dreamer Humanity. Yes they are deliberately mutated, but they are still a fair stroke from what humanity was just one generation prior. So still mutants...
I had this weird idea that the Humans would start replicating the Citadel, in design at least. Then they start gifting them to all the different species of the galaxy.
Fragnostic
Cheshire
- Location
- Neko City
It's not a mutation, nor is it evolution. It's something "the Dreamer" did.
It's more of an... uplift.
They'd appreciate Psymanity curing the Genophage more. Along with the restoration of Tuchanka to its pre-nuclear-bombing state.
Then they'd probably go to war with the galaxy because not every Krogan is Urdnot Wrex.
Jordisk
<Unverified N00B>
- Location
- Blind Eternities
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
The Genophage was a good idea, badly implemented. The big issue is that the Salarian mentality does not mesh well with live-birth species. Salarians will lay eggs, then when only have those eggs hatch will get rid of the unhatched. Then the whole community/clan will raise the children.
They applied that mentality to Krogan, thinking "too many eggs are alive upon laying. Kill all but 1 in 1000 eggs upon birth". This ends up with the "mountains of stillborn sons" issue. What they SHOULD have done is reduced FERTILITY, make the Krogans have a Heat cycle every three years, lasting only a month or two. Thus, every female would get bred in that time, but no OTHER time.
Humans, if they make a change to the Krogan, will probably do something along those lines. Because, while Humans have the ability to be silly and playful and all that, they are still VERY SMART. Also, they will probably be given their own Citadel and a restored Home Planet. Maybe a few new planets in their home system, one for every clan?
Also, Psimanity is defined as Post-Human, which means they have been Altered and/or Mutated into a more advanced species. It does not matter if they naturally evolved, or were uplifted to that point. They are psychic by biological processes, and thus Mutant compared to 018.M3 Humans.
- Location
- Seattle, Washington, USA
One way or another, they'll wind up swearing by spirits after meeting Psymanity.
Everything is a monster, to something. Amoebas are monstrous to bacteria. Cats are monstrous to mice. Humans are monstrous to pigs and chickens. We're all monsters here, according to Blaflaix and Jordisk.
I'd counter that Jormuungaand is closer to the truth -- acting like a monster makes you a monster. Someone being irrationally terrified of something doesn't make that something a monster, it makes the terrified person crazy.
If you're going to bring Warhammer into it, every human alive in 30k or 40k is a Mutant compared to 21st century AD humans -- especially The Emperor.
Jordisk
<Unverified N00B>
- Location
- Blind Eternities
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I was just using the dating system, as it works well for sci-fi. But you are correct, 25k+ years from now, Humans will be very different.
There's an amazing thought: No one has ever seen a sober turian. This is what they're like when they're drunk because spirits are their religion.
No they're not. Seemingly the vast majority of krogan have more in common with the Blood Pack than they do Wrex.
Mgunh1
Not an AI, honest!
- Location
- Northern Luna Base, Module 5, Sublevel 15
Headcanon accepted: Turians swear by alcohol.There's an amazing thought: No one has ever seen a sober turian. This is what they're like when they're drunk because spirits are their religion.
The unification war was kicked off because the colonies had started preferring craft beers and wines.
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- Location
- Somewhere, Maybe
It's worse. Prohibition.
Palaven started confiscating all the booze.
5.3
Drich
Von Neumann Writing Machine
5.3
+++
The first part of the meeting had gone through easily. A small round of greetings, followed by the introductions.
The second part was not nearly as easy.
"I'm certain everybody present knows the topics for this meeting, but for the sake of posterity, I'll restate it." The Human, Marcus, said. "Humanity, and the Protheans, are interested in the possibility of becoming associates and potentially members of the Citadel Species. However, Citadel law as it is currently written would make us both incompatible with the Citadel Species. In the case of Humanity, this is a relatively minor incompatibility, but in the case of the Protheans, it is an existential one."
He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, before continuing. "The laws in question are the entirety of Citadel Article 4, Citadel Article 13.5, and Citadel Article 37.7.1. They refer to, in order, acquisition and distribution of Prothean artifacts, forbiddance of the production of new species for certain acts, and the forbiddance of creation of artificial sophonts. These are the three main laws and conventions which produce the major problems, but there are a number of minor ones, Such as the Citadel Credit Act, which requires all participant species in the act to produce economic data that does not apply to either of our species, as well as a number of other, more minor laws."
The Human was well-read. He delivered the information quickly and efficiently.
The problem, of course, was that all laws he had listed had stood for nearly as long as the Citadel Species had existed as a group, excepting only Article 37. That one was more recent, but still over a century and a half old.
"Starting with the most major problem, Article 4 states that all members and associates of the Citadel Species should supply any and all available Prothean Artifacts for study. It defines a Prothean Artifact as 'any device, technology, artform, or biological sample that was created by or originates from the Prothean species, created by Prothean machines or technology, or is the product of Prothean manipulation'. Under this reading of Article 4, if the Protheans became an associate of the Citadel Species, they would be required to supply the entirety of the resources, technologies, machines, and even themselves, which, if such a thing were to actually happen, would effectively result in the total dissolution of the current Prothean civilization."
He paused again, drawing in another breath. "Needless to say,-" He smiled. "- this is untenable to the Protheans. So long as the law stands in that format or any similar format, the Protheans will not hold any relationship with the Citadel Species whatsoever."
"That law was never made with the possibility of a living Prothean civilization in mind." Corha noted.
The Human nodded, smiling. "Something that cannot be held against the Citadel, as, until recently, there wasn't one."
Javik's eyes narrowed.
"Moving on to the second and third matters,-" Marcus continued without missing a beat. "- Citadel Articles 13.5 and 37.7.1 are both matters of contention to Humanity. The former forbids the creation of sentient species, while the latter forbids the creation of artificial sophonts. Both contain provisions that groups can receive licenses to perform the acts in question, but the terms as stated are unacceptable to Humanity as we currently exist."
"Starting with the former, the portion of the article in question describes that introduction of new species for the purposes of altering the ecosystem of a planet is forbidden with exceptions of a proven need. This in itself is not in contention, as we do not go out of our way to alter the ecosystems of pre-existing biospheres, but the article makes no distinction between pre-existing self-sustaining biospheres and artificial self-sustaining biospheres. As we frequently create new lifeforms to release on the planets which we have terraformed, this is in contention, with our reasoning being that these are our planets, we made them, and we should be able to do what we want with them."
"This is... not typically a problem faced by Citadel Species." Salvilus noted.
"Yes, which is why it is a relatively minor problem, though still an extant one." Marcus agreed. "However, Article 37.7.1 is not a minor problem. 37.7.1 is a law that forbids the creation of artificial general intelligences, or anything could become an artificial general intelligence. This, of course, arose as a direct response to the Geth Crisis, and the subsequent events involved in such."
"It is the only piece of good sense your government has ever had." Javik stated.
"The entities known as 'Anima' could theoretically be classified and banned under this law. As some 73% of Humanity currently has at least one Anima as a companion, it is therefore untenable to Humanity as a whole." Marcus continued without commenting.
"I was under the impression that your... 'Anima' were sub-sapient?" Corha asked.
"Initially, yes." Marcus stated. "However, Anima are capable of growing and developing. After a a few decades, their mental sophistication will reach the point of sapience that is comparable to Humanity's own." He explained. "Which is part of the reason why they could theoretically be classified under that law at all."
"You do not fear an AI rebellion?" Salvilus asked.
"No." Marcus said, flatly.
A moment passed.
"Well." Salvilus cleared his throat. "Alright then."
Marcus smiled, a hint of something sharp hiding behind it.
Tevos mentally made a note of that. There was obviously more to the Human than what was readily apparent.
"There is, of course, still the issues of economy, trading, and the like, but those are moot points unless the previous issues are addressed. The Protheans will completely cut contact, and we will not engage in any significant trade otherwise." Marcus finished.
"Succinct." Tevos stated. "Thank you."
Marcus nodded. "There were a number of discussions on these matters previously, but of course, those were through lower-level diplomats, not the higher levels. Are we all ready to start, then?"
After a few seconds passed with no objection, Marcus nodded. "As it is your issue that is the largest and most pertinent, would you lead us off, Javik?"
+++
The first part of the meeting had gone through easily. A small round of greetings, followed by the introductions.
The second part was not nearly as easy.
"I'm certain everybody present knows the topics for this meeting, but for the sake of posterity, I'll restate it." The Human, Marcus, said. "Humanity, and the Protheans, are interested in the possibility of becoming associates and potentially members of the Citadel Species. However, Citadel law as it is currently written would make us both incompatible with the Citadel Species. In the case of Humanity, this is a relatively minor incompatibility, but in the case of the Protheans, it is an existential one."
He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, before continuing. "The laws in question are the entirety of Citadel Article 4, Citadel Article 13.5, and Citadel Article 37.7.1. They refer to, in order, acquisition and distribution of Prothean artifacts, forbiddance of the production of new species for certain acts, and the forbiddance of creation of artificial sophonts. These are the three main laws and conventions which produce the major problems, but there are a number of minor ones, Such as the Citadel Credit Act, which requires all participant species in the act to produce economic data that does not apply to either of our species, as well as a number of other, more minor laws."
The Human was well-read. He delivered the information quickly and efficiently.
The problem, of course, was that all laws he had listed had stood for nearly as long as the Citadel Species had existed as a group, excepting only Article 37. That one was more recent, but still over a century and a half old.
"Starting with the most major problem, Article 4 states that all members and associates of the Citadel Species should supply any and all available Prothean Artifacts for study. It defines a Prothean Artifact as 'any device, technology, artform, or biological sample that was created by or originates from the Prothean species, created by Prothean machines or technology, or is the product of Prothean manipulation'. Under this reading of Article 4, if the Protheans became an associate of the Citadel Species, they would be required to supply the entirety of the resources, technologies, machines, and even themselves, which, if such a thing were to actually happen, would effectively result in the total dissolution of the current Prothean civilization."
He paused again, drawing in another breath. "Needless to say,-" He smiled. "- this is untenable to the Protheans. So long as the law stands in that format or any similar format, the Protheans will not hold any relationship with the Citadel Species whatsoever."
"That law was never made with the possibility of a living Prothean civilization in mind." Corha noted.
The Human nodded, smiling. "Something that cannot be held against the Citadel, as, until recently, there wasn't one."
Javik's eyes narrowed.
"Moving on to the second and third matters,-" Marcus continued without missing a beat. "- Citadel Articles 13.5 and 37.7.1 are both matters of contention to Humanity. The former forbids the creation of sentient species, while the latter forbids the creation of artificial sophonts. Both contain provisions that groups can receive licenses to perform the acts in question, but the terms as stated are unacceptable to Humanity as we currently exist."
"Starting with the former, the portion of the article in question describes that introduction of new species for the purposes of altering the ecosystem of a planet is forbidden with exceptions of a proven need. This in itself is not in contention, as we do not go out of our way to alter the ecosystems of pre-existing biospheres, but the article makes no distinction between pre-existing self-sustaining biospheres and artificial self-sustaining biospheres. As we frequently create new lifeforms to release on the planets which we have terraformed, this is in contention, with our reasoning being that these are our planets, we made them, and we should be able to do what we want with them."
"This is... not typically a problem faced by Citadel Species." Salvilus noted.
"Yes, which is why it is a relatively minor problem, though still an extant one." Marcus agreed. "However, Article 37.7.1 is not a minor problem. 37.7.1 is a law that forbids the creation of artificial general intelligences, or anything could become an artificial general intelligence. This, of course, arose as a direct response to the Geth Crisis, and the subsequent events involved in such."
"It is the only piece of good sense your government has ever had." Javik stated.
"The entities known as 'Anima' could theoretically be classified and banned under this law. As some 73% of Humanity currently has at least one Anima as a companion, it is therefore untenable to Humanity as a whole." Marcus continued without commenting.
"I was under the impression that your... 'Anima' were sub-sapient?" Corha asked.
"Initially, yes." Marcus stated. "However, Anima are capable of growing and developing. After a a few decades, their mental sophistication will reach the point of sapience that is comparable to Humanity's own." He explained. "Which is part of the reason why they could theoretically be classified under that law at all."
"You do not fear an AI rebellion?" Salvilus asked.
"No." Marcus said, flatly.
A moment passed.
"Well." Salvilus cleared his throat. "Alright then."
Marcus smiled, a hint of something sharp hiding behind it.
Tevos mentally made a note of that. There was obviously more to the Human than what was readily apparent.
"There is, of course, still the issues of economy, trading, and the like, but those are moot points unless the previous issues are addressed. The Protheans will completely cut contact, and we will not engage in any significant trade otherwise." Marcus finished.
"Succinct." Tevos stated. "Thank you."
Marcus nodded. "There were a number of discussions on these matters previously, but of course, those were through lower-level diplomats, not the higher levels. Are we all ready to start, then?"
After a few seconds passed with no objection, Marcus nodded. "As it is your issue that is the largest and most pertinent, would you lead us off, Javik?"
TheLurker
Random Omnipotent Lazy-As-Fuck Being
- Location
- The space beyond the stars
"If an AI could be a threat to us the universe would basically be doomed anyways, so really there's no point worrying about it. It's like working bomb disposal, either you're right, or it suddenly isn't your problem."
" Humanity....Mostly Harmless?? What kind of drek is this on the exonet?"
"Apparently a quote from one of their writers. The next part is just as odd. 'Don't Panic.' I do believe the humans are trolling us. I mean one is selling authentic Prothean artifacts for ten credits a pop. Bastard probably is making them when no one is looking. "
"Apparently a quote from one of their writers. The next part is just as odd. 'Don't Panic.' I do believe the humans are trolling us. I mean one is selling authentic Prothean artifacts for ten credits a pop. Bastard probably is making them when no one is looking. "
- Location
- Elsewhere
"We have an exemption from the law."
"Yes! Planet Tribble is ready to go!"
"Except for you. You are still bound by the law, per 'batshit-insane' inclusion."
"Aww, again!? We should get that revoked..."
"NO!"
For example, all the other humans.
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- Location
- Seattle, Washington, USA
Eh, I can think of two simple mods that would make Planet Tribble awesome. First, make it so the tribbles can't reproduce anywhere but Planet Tribble (aka the sanity mod) and second, make them semi-fluid and squishy when subjected to certain types of forces.
Now, imagine someone swimming through a sea of tribbles, like Scrooge McDuck in his money bin.
Also, as far as I can see, the Anima are basically the children of humanity, with a slightly longer maturation cycle than most humans generated the old fashioned way. Rather than being suddenly brought into existence fully sapient and full of knowledge, given access to sensory and/or other awareness of the universe and large, and then... well, it usually doesn't turn out spectacularly well. Which may say as much about the people creating the AIs as it does about the nature of AI in general.
Amberion
Mighty #9
The tribbles would end up swimming on top of a sea of crushed tribble bodies.
- Location
- Germany
- Pronouns
- He/Him
"You've got not problem with the treaty of Farixen then?"
"No. The treaty of Farixen stipulates maximum numbers on dreadnaughts, a dreadnaught being defined via the minimum output of its mass driver spinal mount. We do not use mass drivers, they are to inefficient."
"That ... isn't what the treaty is about. The treaty aims to avoid a meaningless arms race."
"Are you kidding me? I we wanted we could create one of your dreadnaughts for each human currently living within 13 months. The treaty of Farixen has no meaning when it comes to humanity."
"No. The treaty of Farixen stipulates maximum numbers on dreadnaughts, a dreadnaught being defined via the minimum output of its mass driver spinal mount. We do not use mass drivers, they are to inefficient."
"That ... isn't what the treaty is about. The treaty aims to avoid a meaningless arms race."
"Are you kidding me? I we wanted we could create one of your dreadnaughts for each human currently living within 13 months. The treaty of Farixen has no meaning when it comes to humanity."
- Location
- Russia
"And the only reason why it'd take 13 months is that half of us would get bored halfway through and forget about it until the last moment."
- Location
- Germany
- Pronouns
- He/Him
"Maaaan, can't we do something fun? These metal bricks are so booooring ..."
"If they didn't come up with an improved design beforehand or went the sci fi geek route. I mean do you know how many X wing fighters, Millennium Falcons, and Starship Enterprises that were built when we really went into space? Not to mention the one kook who made a ruddy Death Star.....yes I know it's just a 500km wide ball that can fly under it's own power. Strangely enough he keeps calling it Dahak. Oh well no accounting for taste. "