[Voice]

[gaveherwings]

In the light of current events, as well as an increasing awareness of our dependency on electronic assistance, it begs the question...

Humankind really is over-reliant on our own technological advancements, aren't we?

My own city of Romdeau fell in part because of the Cogito Virus, which gave rise to the revolt of artificial intelligence. We could not function in our day-to-day lives without entourage and other service autoreivs handling menial operative tasks within the dome. People went mad, lost sheep- it was really quite humbling, how easy crippled we were. How childlike and helpless. Myself included. This world has changed me even in the simplest ways.

Three years ago, prior to my arrival, I'd never really done any cooking for myself, or cleaning for instance, or... so many things. Blackouts would render even the modern day hospital effectively paralyzed, if not for our backup generators.

(This is an awfully ironic conversation to be opening over NV, isn't it?)

All the same, my curiosity is piqued-

Some of you are from ages before the development of computers, androids, networks, lights, motorized vehicles, electronic devices and appliances, digital media, etc, etc...

I'd really like to know- what was it like? How did you live? What was the adaptations necessary, living "hands on", and without tools? Reliant on only face to face communications.

How is it for you now? Improved? Or do you feel as we're all inadept and talentless by comparison, as drone-like as the binary accessories which support us?

Comments

[jokesonthem]

I... was unaware machines could get sick.

['Why even build something like that,' he almost asks, but it strikes him as possibly rude.]

[gaveherwings]

An unauthorized change in their programming.

Someone or something wanted to make them more sentient. Give them souls.

[jokesonthem]

That seems counter-intuitive to do to machines made for prideless labor. Why would someone do such a thing...?

[gaveherwings]

I believe they were meant to replace us, as a failsafe.

[jokesonthem]

[...lost him.]

There must be a logic at work here in which that makes sense. I'm sorry-- this is all very beyond what I'm accustomed to.

[gaveherwings]

It doesn't make easy sense, no. Not pleasant sense.

[jokesonthem]

I see... That sounds- difficult.

[Pause. This is taking a turn for even darker depths he doesn't understand at all, so,]

Would you still like to know about other societies? We have more than servants, I assure you.

[gaveherwings]

Yes, what are the hallmarks of your city?

[jokesonthem]

Well... The estates of the four highest Dukedoms, I suppose. We haven't much in the way of tourism, really.

[gaveherwings]

And the Dukes ruled as a collective?

[jokesonthem]

There is a King whose power trumps that of the four Dukes. The Dukes are protected by the state, and effectively rule together unless the King steps in, yes.

[gaveherwings]

And generally they're in accord with one another?

[jokesonthem]

Some relationships are rockier than others...

[gaveherwings]

And you keep loyalty to just one house?

[jokesonthem]

Primarily, yes. Though of course there are close relationships that call for an extension of loyalty, if you will. It can be... delicate.

[gaveherwings]

One can only imagine.

[jokesonthem]

Mm, unfortunately, I've little liberty to elaborate. My master would disapprove...

[Most of these stories would embarrass everyone involved, so.]

[gaveherwings]

Of course, of course.

Your master is here, in Port?

[jokesonthem]

Yes, he arrived the other day... Duke Rufus Barma, he's-

[-pretending to be a big obnoxious meatball-shaped thing to hide how he's obnoxious in reality, er.]

...eccentric.

[gaveherwings]

Eccentric. A generous descriptor?

[jokesonthem]

It is not untrue.

[So, yeah.]