Bot Talk, Part 2

In my last post, I discussed some of the challenges of describing how a robotic device sixty nanometers tall could communicate with human beings and nanotroopers like Johnny Winger.

All ideas about communication between ANAD and its human masters start with the fact that ANAD is a created, programmable device…a very small robot with a quantum processor, that has the ability to replicate and swarm into larger formations.

All ANAD systems consist of the following parts: the core (processor, configuration manager, various buffers and translator modules), the main platform and actuator mast, propulsors, sensors and actuators, communications and navigation systems.  The very term ‘ANAD’ means Autonomous Nanoscale Assembler/Disassembler.  ANAD is designed to operate in the world of atoms and molecules, to maneuver in that environment and to manipulate such according to set instructions.

One of the points of conflict between humans like Johnny Winger and ANAD is the concept of being a multi-configuration entity versus a single-configuration entity.  In fact, in some of my stories in Tales of the Quantum Corps, a later version of ANAD called Doc II has ‘discussions’ with Johnny Winger on this very point.

You see, ANAD can form itself into almost any conceivable configuration (config).

Here are some notes I made about how to describe one form of communication between ANAD and Johnny Winger…in this, ANAD does a form of a diary….

NOTES ON ANAD’s JOURNAL

1.     This is a journal or an Interactions Log being kept by a synthetic nanobotic swarm entity, developed originally by Dr. Irwin Frost, Northgate University Autonomous Systems Lab. 

2.     The Journal should be inserted before every other chapter, starting with Chapter 2.

3.     The Journal entries are from a log created and maintained by ANAD continuously as it interacts with Humans (one-config entities, as ANAD calls them).  This log is a list of main processor events and changes, to which are added observations and commentary generated by ANAD in its daily interactions.  The Journal entries are from the Interactions Log.

4.     Most of the Journal entries are parallel to the main flow of the story.  They should consist of ANAD’s observations about Johnny Winger, his words, his actions and how an autonomous swarm entity reacts to living in proximity with humans and this particular human named Johnny Winger. 

5.     The Journal entries should cover what ANAD thinks about Johnny Winger, what ANAD wants to do and what he (it?) is able to do. 

6.     Format should show a numerical list (like this one) of observations, reactions and plans for future actions. 

7.     ANAD operates with numerous socialization modules which enable him to act and react and interact in a more normal fashion with human beings.

8.     Heading is like this:

Interactions Log

File No. 128874.6

C.F.A.A. (ANAD)

Interaction Targets:  1. Winger, Lieutenant J. A.

                                     2. D’Nunzio, Corporal “Deeno”

Interaction Mode:  Acoustic, voice synthetic V-22

Date: 6.2.99               

Start Time:  151500

End Time: 152230

Output File (text analysis):

Here, ANAD writes his analysis….

<<Subject: Configuration: Winger, J>>

<<Config Winger, J. was emotionally unstable most of the day.  I could detect no obvious causes for such instability.  However…it is a common characteristic of one-config structures such as Winger, J. >>

As you can see, here is one way to describe and illustrate communication between two very different entities.  All science fiction writers who deal in aliens or robots have the same challenge.  You want to have your aliens sound like aliens without being so alien the average reader can’t understand them.  But you don’t want your aliens to sound like they come from Dubuque, Iowa either.  So, it’s a balancing act.

As a swarming entity, ANAD can form itself up into any of multiple configurations.  In a sense, ANAD can’t die.  Humans are different.  We have one ‘configuration’ and when that configuration is lost, we call it death.  For ANAD, it’s just a config change.  So here is a significant, even profound difference between ANAD and humans.  The certainty of death affects many things in our culture…how we take on risks, how we make use of our days, how we deal with final or ultimate decisions about life.  ANAD has none of this.  There is a profound disconnect between the two and a great chance for conflict and misunderstanding.  I use this in many of my stories. 

In my next post, we’ll explore other aspects of what it might be like to be ANAD.  Specifically, we’ll look at what happens when ANADs start to form configurations that so closely resemble humans that reasonable people can’t tell them apart.   In my stories, we call them angels.

The next post will be March 14.

See you then .

Phil B.