[It's not her newfound and not always perfectly implemented resolution to be calmer that's keeping Vasilia so muted today. Just simple human emotion: simply quieter emotion than she's usually prone to.]
Which one? My pattern testing or my game system? The game system is hardly a project, it's -- a habit. The iterated unbalanced Prisoner's Dilemma. A holdover from the old barge, something my other self wanted to see. To see what approach, cynical or naive or forgiving, would best benefit an inmate in the system.
[Her brows furrow. No idea what he's driving at. That's frustrating! Why are you frustrating, doctor?]
I-- don't believe it can be. It's only a mathematical model. There are too many external variables. The system isn't genuinely representative. The naive interpretation is that the consistent top performance of the 'forgiving tit-for-tat' model suggests an approach to life based on pragmatism with elements of compassion is the most optimal. But it's such a simple system and life is anything but. The sheer amount of randomnity-- I haven't tried to approximate it. I suppose that I could-? I-- hmm, but--
[Then an awkward trail off. She does math-babble a bit when nervous. And she was almost doing so well at keeping her composure.]
How do you believe that negative input fits into the model. The unfortunate incidents that you overcome? They're quite radical, aren't they? Varying wildly as either someone is left clinging to hope, or suddenly standing up against the odds and persevering.
[Come on Vas, you can do it.] Spacers aren't used to such wildly fluctuating environments, are they? What would they put in a robot to help them adapt?
There would be interactions-- as the negative 'environment' variables coincided with instances of 'forgiveness' in the case of the automated players. A negative environmental variable-- flood, if you like-- would do the greatest damage to players that could only be pragmatic, as it would send them into spirals of negative feedback. Those with a higher rate of 'forgiveness' -- higher 'optimism'-- would prevail--
Something similar might apply to a robot, of course, though the ascenion laws change that equation as well. Robots cannot-- fear. Not for their own sake, at any rate. But -- they do manifest something that could imprecisely be called 'anxiety' which would be countered by systemic 'optimism'...
[Talking through every step. It's a long and laborious process.]
Retaining balance. Using the shift of potential to drive better performance. Yes-- yes.
I think I see.
[Took her long enough. She looks troubled, still, but at least she's thinking.]
I'd like you to look at my random negative environmental stimuli and my rogue elements-- Sociopath and Philanthropist players introduced at non-linear intervals.
Perhaps I could meet you in the lab?
[Perhaps she wants company and would never admit it.]
And yet I am still afraid, Doctor Smith.
[Her voice is very slightly pleading.]
Reply
Tell me more about your current theoretical project. Trust me, I do have a point.
Reply
[Her brows furrow. No idea what he's driving at. That's frustrating! Why are you frustrating, doctor?]
Reply
[He'll get there, he promises.]
Reply
[Then an awkward trail off. She does math-babble a bit when nervous. And she was almost doing so well at keeping her composure.]
Reply
[Come on Vas, you can do it.] Spacers aren't used to such wildly fluctuating environments, are they? What would they put in a robot to help them adapt?
[All of the rotary "R"s are happening.]
Reply
Something similar might apply to a robot, of course, though the ascenion laws change that equation as well. Robots cannot-- fear. Not for their own sake, at any rate. But -- they do manifest something that could imprecisely be called 'anxiety' which would be countered by systemic 'optimism'...
[Talking through every step. It's a long and laborious process.]
Reply
I would like to see your current models, unless you still wish to polish them a bit.
Reply
I think I see.
[Took her long enough. She looks troubled, still, but at least she's thinking.]
I'd like you to look at my random negative environmental stimuli and my rogue elements-- Sociopath and Philanthropist players introduced at non-linear intervals.
Perhaps I could meet you in the lab?
[Perhaps she wants company and would never admit it.]
Reply
[The mongoose is coming too, though.]
Reply
Leave a comment