[Science] Geth Construction Collective Announces New Platform

Geth Construction Collective Announces New Platform

Vesnic Veghae, Eye on the Veil Blog

The Geth Construction Collective announced today that it would be introducing a new standard mobile platform. The new platform, called the “Basic Bipedal Platform for Geth, Iteration 732,” is in many respects a downgrade in that it exchanges raw strength, flexibility, speed and power for a sleeker form-factor, a wider range for its integrated communications suite, a longer-lasting power supply, and the advanced 'expression flaps' that have been mounted on the platform's head.

Much of the internal memory and processing power has been simplified as well; while previously most platforms could easily serve hundreds (and in some cases even thousands of geth programs), this new platform only has room for seven.

When questioned about the reasoning for the new platform, the Geth Construction Collective stated that the new platform was created with conservation of resources in mind, while at the same time enabling Geth to explore the galaxy on their own or in small groups. They added that previous iterations were primarily built with military purposes in mind, and that this iteration was meant for demilitarized, diplomatic uses.

...

There's a Geth posting on CDN.

This is going to take some getting used to.

Were this a statistically average forum, considering the population of Creators in comparison to other sentient races on the extranet, the average poster would be valid in making a similar response to you, Creator-RalaZarun.

Self-motivated evolution is far more intriguing than it is given credit in this thread. We are watching the advancement of a species through its own means, in a rapid-fire form from its infancy to a modernized unit of individuals. This is an opportunity to study and learn, not bitch incessantly.

The process of evolution is no longer universally random.

Evolution is not random it is statistically well structured and predictable, individual mutations on the other hand are random in nature.

Close, but by definition, I believe you are mixing up "evolution" for "natural selection".

The earnest beginnings of evolution exist in the mutation of genes that you mentioned, which is completely random. Natural selection occurs when these genes - often expressed in phenotypes - are favored by the populace and therefore have more sexual fitness.

For example, let's take a brown pyjak in a population of gray pyjaks. The brown pyjak blends in better with its surroundings. Initially, there is only one brown pyjak, but this brown pyjak survives longer than its competitors and, therefore, has a better chance of competing sexually. It reproduces, and the offspring that express the gene for fur color go on in a similar manner. Give it about two-hundred years, and the entire population of pyjaks will be brown - all due to a random mutation in the genes, which was then selected by mates.

All this talk about evolution makes me wonder if I'd be able to pass on my genemods to the kid if I happened to have a human child. Any experts here that could enlighten me about this?

Evolution functions through a number of mechanisms, of which natural selection is the most prevalent and most frequently cited. While some of the mechanisms are essentially stochastic (mutation, genetic drift, bottle-necking, etc.), the ones most frequently referred to as "evolution" in the non-scientific vernacular are of the nonrandom variety.

Why should improper use be encouraged in colloquial speech? This is why we have phrases like "husking".

Differing usage is being acknowledged, not encouraged. Using strictly scientific terms in a general context without taking the time to explain how they differ from their commonplace definitions is an excellent way of spreading confusion and misinformation.

Furthermore, your initial assertion that evolution has until recently been "universally random" is incorrect regardless of which definition you apply to it.

Fair enough. I will attempt to employ less rigidity in the future.

I hoped it would not come to this as I did not want to point out your mistake in public but being faced being wrong on the extranet (which is serious business,) or proving you wrong… well you leave me no choice.


To refresh the memories of those not willing to scroll upwards here is the quote you responded to;
By your own original remark you are clearly talking about an evolutionary process and not evolution. Evolution is very clearly defined and has zero ambiguity about what it means, (in either biological OR non-biological context.)

Now mutation is a recognized part of many evolutionary processes (natural selection and selective breeding, do in part rely on random mutations,) but I assumed you did not talk about mutations since you used the word universally random which mutation are not. Modern generic engineering has long mutated genetic code in a non-random way to produce the desired result, and most of these changes are passed on to offspring. Similarly in non-biological evolution engineering creates mutations (because mutation is just a fancy word for a (collection of) changes that differentiate between a source and its derivative, a Delta if you wish,) to systems to create new and (hopefully) improved systems.

Furthermore mutations in and of themselves are not a complete evolutionary process it just a step within such a process.

Therefore concluding that mutations was not a likely candidate for what you were talking about (both in context and in factual consideration,) I opted to read your comment as being about “natural selection” which does have a consistent random element in it. (The inherent random nature of natural mutations.)

But even though Natural Selection has a random element in it that can be expressed, it as whole is not ‘random’ it is pretty predictable both in theory and practice. As a matter of fact it is so predictable that it is easy to manipulate hence “selective breeding” which apart from removing the semi-random nature of the breeding process completely relies on ‘natural selection’ to do the rest. Hence I stand by my statement.


Evolution existed long before genes, or how do you think those molecules evolved into genes in the first place?

How the hell did you get that mutations aren't random? Genetic alteration doesn't come into the picture when we are talking about the base definition of this. However, with the geth, it does - which is what I had stated previously, that the geth are altering the process of evolution in their own way, which is intensely interesting.

Perhaps you should reread my post. Should you wish to discuss this further, I am available via private messaging on this site.

This one believes that your debate over semantics has obscured the original point, which remains relevant. The geth civilization and its current actions are unprecedented in known galactic history. It must say that it is greatly surprised that few others on this board seem interested in asking questions of the at least two geth present.

Following from that, it would like to repeat the previous question: why have the geth chosen to decrease the number of individuals per platform? Do they not still benefit from having larger numbers present?

Geth explorers. Sounds like a great idea.

Actually, the mutations used in genetic engineering first were first developed randomly, and were selected for use once their value was seen. When biologists are trying to develop a specific novel trait, they use mutagens to induce tens millions of different mutations on the target genome, and keep those that appear to be beneficial. It functions more or less exactly like natural evolution, save that the mutation rate is vastly increased and the definition of fitness changed.

Now, once they have developed a specific gene therapy, they can apply it in a non-random manner, but this is not mutation.

Teilhard makes a good point; as for a question, to any geth who may be available --

What are your personal thoughts on the further development of your facial flaps? What would you like to see in the future, and why?

Yeah, I think it's a great idea honestly. No sarcasm. I wonder if we'll have geth pilgrims after quarians don't have to go on them anymore.

Expression flaps are not required for this platform's function, and as as such perform a vestigial operation. They require further resources for maintenance of a function which will likely not be performed during this platform's functionality.

Minimal data available on preferences for further development. Forwarding to Consensus for comment.

Appreciated. Perhaps you'd like to do an interview sometime? For purely academic purposes.

Further communications are authorized. Please specify a local time and EP address.