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Maniac
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Gent, Belgium
Jul 1999 time: 06:14
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Well, um, I think most people (for example Rachelle's aunt) see the Consciousness wrongly as some Star Trek Borg-like hive mind where you are just some un-thinking slave-automaton, following the orders of some central mind. At least if I don't totally misinterpret you, you described the Consciousness as I see it. The members of the Consiousness are still individuals. As you say:
"All the algorithm did was enhance your abilities."
As I see it, an algorithm increases your intellectual capacities (or gives you a number of brand new abilities), gives you more self-control, and makes it possible to communicate mind-to-mind with other "cyborgs". However, and that's the mistake many make, because you can communicate "telepathically" with other beings, that doesn't mean you loose your self, your individuality.
Furthermore, the Consciousness values are almost exactly the same as mine: logic, rationality, search for knowledge and understanding, efficiency, calmness and self-control (that is, you controlling your body, thoughts and emotions, not the other way around), freedom and individuality. Indeed, I think such a faction is at the same time the one which gives you the largest freedom and the largest togetherness, as you say yourself at the end of your story.
"Three minds leapt and danced, just for this one moment, rejoicing in their freedom and their unity..."
This faction understands you are strongest if you efficiently work together (that's the basis of Yang's philosophy, or any communist for that matter). However, they (and every liberal guy as well) are also rational enough to realize an individual is most creative when it has a large amount of freedom. Thus creating one hive mind would inhibit the Consciousness quest: knowledge.
What else can I say about your story? The classical things, I guess (but I mean them). You really draw the reader into your story world. It's a thrilling story; I always wanted to read further. Your narrative perspective is good, most of the time seen from the point of view of a few people. And the characters of those people aren't shallow. You don't just descibe their actions (your action's good as well).
I'll repeat myself: "Brilliant story!"
M@ni@c
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aktarian
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Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jan 2001 time: 05:14
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All faction leaders believe in what they do and will destroy anybody or anything that stands on their way. The same way Santiago would destroy faction she considers weak so will Deirdre destroy any faction that polutes Planet. Same way Yang would destroy any faction that opose his views on future society so would Morgan destroy any faction that stands between him and profit. And same way as Lal would try to overcome factionalism among humanity so will Yang try to overcome individualism for the sake of benefit of the group.
And that is beauty of SMAC. Everybody can identify to some degree with one or more factions.
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