[ACCEPTED] ryders IPC Application

[ryder]

BYOND Key: Ryder.AI

Character Names: Adrie Fontaine, Lucia Santana, Pacer Daniels, Nadia Paget, Leona Raszeur

Species you are applying to play: IPC

What color do you plan on making your first alien character: N/A, Shell.

Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes

 

Why do you wish to play this specific race:

Something that has always interested me a lot in Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, whatever futuristic genre or setting I’m looking at, has been humanity in robotics and artificial intelligence. Considering just precisely how consciousness and sapient cognition comes about in these things, what that means, and how it can be explored. How much chrome does it take until you’re no longer a human? Who gets to say so? Are the minds we create from circuits equivalent with us?

Maybe there are no precise answers. Maybe, measuring that sentience, these qualifiers for humanity, is whatever the individual needs it to be. What I want to do is explore these ideas through characterization, interaction with others, and find a slow to come, unique answer for a character. No matter what the absolutes are, AI sentience is a point of contention in the canon of the Orion Spur, and it’s certainly a ride I’d like to be around for at any of the varying extremes at which it can be approached.

 

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human:

The acquisition of knowledge and compilation of memory differs from the ways humans, with elastic brains and ever changing memories, process information and grow as people. Ultimately, an IPC is working with the positronic given to them. Processing power, memory, knowledge, is more likely to be static, pre-determined in some measure. While memory can certainly grow, it can only go so far, and still cannot compare to the wide array of skills and talents an organic mind can learn. As a consequence, IPCs largely have narrower scopes of ambition and skillsets, and overall mostly exhibit a learning capacity of “see and do”.

Roleplaying this authentically could mean dedicating to preprogrammed personalities or limiting oneself to observed traits, quirks, and patterns of behavior seen in organics. Learning behavior is a process - one that may be slow and ultimately somewhat limited - there will often be times when synthetic nature slips through the cracks of human facsimile. Mimicry is not perfect.

 

Character Name: Morgan

Backstory

Abaster Fields, Mendell City, 2452. Morgan, a newly manufactured shell, flickers to full consciousness on the estate of a Dr. Chidi Olatunji, Psychologist and studier of philosophy. Her position here is simple; she will function as a personal assistant and housekeeper for Dr. Olatunji, who as part of his career, often hosts wealthier patients in his own home rather than a separate office. After all, he has this grand estate, and he’s getting on in his years – wealthy enough to prolong his health, but still in his middling eighties – he may as well have a helping hand while he continues his work. The good doctor assures his patients this; Morgan is simply a machine. Property. There’s no risk to their confidentiality or comfort in session when she is simply an extension of his own will. So, with those patients who are comfortable – and among the many who can afford to see Dr. Olatunji, who of course enjoy any luxury they can muster – Morgan happily serves. (Once she’s been taught a more amicable smile, of course.) Mostly, the work consists of making drinks and handling food for those that come along. Keeping patients happy and obliging their wishes. All the while, Morgan observes; behavior and emotion, cognitive and talk therapy, dialectics and behavior. The machine that is the human mind unfolds before her in the naked, vulnerable honesty of Dr. Olatunji's patients, hour after hour, day after day, week after week; and then years. Quietly and unseen, techniques are catalogued and feelings witnessed. Even Dr. Olatunji’s studies and personal work are apparent before her.

Meanwhile, Dr. Olatunji, in his own pursuit of understanding these new mechanical minds, studies philosophy with Morgan. What defines personhood and can she attain this? How could she? Why, if ever it happened? He narrates to her the logic of human agency and the ways in which organics operate, either in their consideration of others or their own selves. What metaphysics allow humanity - and now machines - the gift of cognizance? Morgan listens, but one can only wonder if she learns. Never are there answers. Olatunji quietly closes his books, smiling through a wrinkled visage, and says, “Certainly something to think about."

Thought it’s strange, isn’t it? She still can’t understand. When the good doctor touches her cheek and his eyes melt to that far away sadness that so many of his patients have, she can only ask herself; what does this mean? What codes and hints and triggers can she trace this back through to identify this emotion? A skip in the algorithm, always, when the patients or Olatunji himself interact with her. Flesh on synthskin, warmth on cold. Whatever synapses fire across from her do not register in the circuitry of her mind. On Olatunji's desk is a holoalbum, and sometimes Morgan watches while she cleans, and sees a near mirror-image of herself on his arm. Morgan tells herself; "Certainly something to think about."

The third of May, 2459; Olatunji passed peacefully in his sleep. Unfamiliar with death – in both the concept and literal body left in its wake – Morgan simply waits until he is found. His surviving family comes to the estate. They discuss what is left, come in contact with the executor of his will, even jostle one another over who will own the shell. She is there when the executor reads the dissemination of Olatunji’s estate; Morgan will receive the Abaster Fields property, and some of its luxuries, to forever keep until she is otherwise dismantled or destroyed herself. A fund remains for Morgan, to purchase her own freedom and to maintain herself and the estate. The rest of Olatunji’s belongings are doled out upon an irate family. Morgan, passively, endures threats of violence, legal recourse, bribery, anything. All she knows is to smile, and no fruit comes of their efforts.

Freedom, however, is entirely unfamiliar. What is she meant to do with this? Directionless, Morgan keeps the house, empty and alone, and her first discovery of what surely must be authentic emotion? Boredom. In but a years time, she is bored. What a strange thing to feel. She wonders at the sudden urge to move on, and what better way to go forward with than what she's witnessed during all her service? Nanotrasen jumps on the opportunity of cheap employment when she seeks it out; it doesn't matter to her, really. The estate on Abaster Fields is always waiting. She's installed with a data pack for the relevant occupation - a position as a psychologist in Zhèngfǔ - and works until early 2463, at which point she is reassigned to the NTCC Odin and the NSS Aurora to provide her services to the staff and crew.

 

What do you like about this character?

I think in answering the earlier questions, the premise here is obvious enough; an IPC exploring agency and emotion in her observation and treatment of others. I think there is a lot of potential here for Morgan who has, so far, built up an understanding of caring, compassion, and human psychology from the observations she made in the past eleven years of her ‘life’. I plan on her starting out somewhat stiff and more than obviously synthetic; while she’s observed plenty, she’s rarely had the opportunity for direct and extended interaction with organics up until this point, and her knowledge of most else beyond the walls of Olatunji’s Estate in Abaster Fields is fairly limited (probably for worse). It’s a good opportunity to explore the learning capacity of IPCs and precisely how far they can go and expand in not only intelligence, but memory, emotion, and authentic human interaction. The approach, hopefully, will become a lot more complicated and nuanced as I go on with her.

 

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

I’ve been roleplaying for some 10-12 odd years, have a focus on literature and psychology in college, and have helped facilitate creative writing groups online and in person. I’ve published some fanfic (which is still embarrassing) and I’m even working on my own manuscript. I have a really good grasp on the elements of writing as a whole. With that in mind, I’d say I’m fairly acutely conscious of how to be self-aware with character breaks, maintaining an impersonal separation between player and fiction, how to spin the wheels when needed, and overall how to facilitate storytelling. I realize the actual role will probably involve some heavy roleplay and creating fun for others, but I think I’m certainly able to take on that challenge. I’m certainly on my way to getting used to the pacing and improv nature of SS13, but I’m familiar with this kind of roleplay in other mediums.

I think I’m pretty alright.

 

Notes: I have barely played a medical intern and in general am not very interested in the realm of quick-paced surgery and being responsible for character lives in that manner. I’m hoping that playing as a psychologist, being more roleplay heavy, will allow me to get a bit more familiar with the department and eventually become more comfortable with exploring it. I’m solely assuming that the role only handles that roleplay, working hand in hand with security as needed, and prescribing medication rather than actually manufacturing it (although I can learn that if needed). Let me know if this in particular is a problem. Please pelt me with questions. I’m definitely trying to be grounded with the themes of IPCs here while focusing on my own interests, but let me know if I seem to be missing the mark.

Anyways, have some mood music: https://youtu.be/xhefRKYjhAM

Edited July 31, 2021 by ryder
Updating per suggestions

[LizardKingLizard]

Ryder has been both a good friend and a good gamer so far, despite being really new to ss13. I'm glad I've been able to play with them, and having an IPC become a "real boy" overtime sounds really fun 🙂 +1

[The lancer]

Hi, nice application, I like Morgan.

 

Some technical issues that come up:

8 hours ago, ryder said:

Morgan will receive the Abaster Fields property, and some of its luxuries, to forever keep until she is otherwise dismantled or destroyed herself. A fund remains for upkeep of both herself and the estate, and the rest of Olatunji’s belongings are doled out upon an irate family.

Freedom, however, is not granted so easily. The final will and testament declares that Morgan is to be transferred to Nanotrasen’s ownership.

How will she own this substantial property, if she herself is owned by someone else?

 

8 hours ago, ryder said:

Morgan of course exemplifies her skills in Psychology. Easily enough, she is put through trials, qualifications, and fast-tracks a degree to prove her worthiness in the field. 

Psychology is a bit complex, I doubt she would have picked up on it by just living with a psychologist and serving his patients. It is also not standard for IPCs to receive education and degrees, instead relying on data packs that install the skillset they need for a particular job, which acts as their qualification.

 

So yeah I would take these into account and change her owner's will a bit. She can own property if she is free, but then that would not force her to find employment with NT. 

[Sycmos]

Despite having very recently joined the community Ryder has been a blast to RP with and talk to OOC. Judging from my brief interactions with them alone I feel that they would be both creative with their IPC characters and a direct benefit to the face of the species as a whole. They definitely earn a +1 from me.

[Roaper]

they sniped me. I was about to post an IPC application. I'm fuming and super angry right now. that said against my better wishes they are good at rping and playing fun characters. but I am biased because they are my friend. +1

[ryder]

Hey Lancer, I made some changes. (And some minor flavor additions from stuff I've just been thinking about.) I'll quote what's relevant to the issues you pointed out.

20 hours ago, ryder said:

A fund remains for Morgan, to purchase her own freedom and to maintain herself and the estate. The rest of Olatunji’s belongings are doled out upon an irate family. Morgan, passively, endures threats of violence, legal recourse, bribery, anything. All she knows is to smile, and no fruit comes of their efforts.

Freedom, however, is entirely unfamiliar. What is she meant to do with this?

Regarding your comments on the property, I guess I'm just making a free IPC. All the more fun for a machine that's just a little awkward to interact with, right?

 

20 hours ago, ryder said:

Nanotrasen jumps on the opportunity of cheap employment when she seeks it out; it doesn't matter to her, really. The estate on Abaster Fields is always waiting. She's installed with a data pack for the relevant occupation - a position as a psychologist in Zhèngfǔ - and works until early 2463, at which point she is reassigned to the NTCC Odin and the NSS Aurora to provide her services to the staff and crew.

I also changed the bit on education and data packs. I must have missed that reading through the lore, but thanks for pointing it out.

Let me know if I need to change up anything else here to stick true to canon.

[The lancer]

Yes it's all good, accepted.

[Caelphon]

Locking + Archiving.