[UT/Thinking Machines] Biocomputers

[Daigoro]

In Thinking Machines (Pyramid 3/37), which is a fantastic article btw, one option for computers is "Biocomputer."

This lowers Complexity by 1, and doubles the cost and weight. Shouldn't there be some advantage to this? Or is it presuming that this would be if biocomputers were the only available tech option in the setting?

Advantages could be boosted complexity for running AI or brain simulations perhaps, but what else? Would they count as being Hardened against EMP? Or would the support circuitry still be vulnerable?

[LokRobster]

This question seems particularly important for Reign of Steel: Will to Live campaigns involving Zone Denver...

I'd love to see input on this, my PCs are currently mucking around RoS Piney Woods of East Texas on the edge of Zone Denver - and EMP is one approach they've decided on for dealing with the 'bots.

[Flyndaran]

In a setting it might be the only way to get a fully sapient A.I.

[malloyd]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

In a setting it might be the only way to get a fully sapient A.I.

That sounds reasonable as these things go. Psionic powers are another common fictional feature.

The GURPS statistics are a compromise. Biological computers sound really cool (a lot of "science news" stories about building a computer out of [improbable thing] showcase this - and are pure hype), feature in lots of space opera, and are essential for "they're harvesting our brains" plots, but are realistically a bad idea. Since actual realism is probably "does not work at all", giving them any statistics is a concession to the coolness.

[Flyndaran]

I would imagine any real use would be in neural science experimentation, and possibly chemical testing. Why use an adult monkey, when what you really want to know is how it will affect a human brain?

[Langy]

Originally Posted by malloyd

That sounds reasonable as these things go. Psionic powers are another common fictional feature.

The GURPS statistics are a compromise. Biological computers sound really cool (a lot of "science news" stories about building a computer out of [improbable thing] showcase this - and are pure hype), feature in lots of space opera, and are essential for "they're harvesting our brains" plots, but are realistically a bad idea. Since actual realism is probably "does not work at all", giving them any statistics is a concession to the coolness.

The actual realism is certainly 'it totally works', since that's what a human brain is.

Now, a biocomputer that can work similarly to a normal computer is something else entirely, but certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Anyways, GURPS has rules for biocomputers in Bio-Tech, somewhere or another.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Langy

The actual realism is certainly 'it totally works', since that's what a human brain is.

Now, a biocomputer that can work similarly to a normal computer is something else entirely, but certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Anyways, GURPS has rules for biocomputers in Bio-Tech, somewhere or another.

Signals cross neurons at 70 mph, vs. computer circuits at luminal velocities.
You don't gengineer birds from the ground up to move your cargo. You invent the plane to do it faster, cheaper, and far more efficiently.

[Langy]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Signals cross neurons at 70 mph, vs. computer circuits at luminal velocities.
You don't gengineer birds from the ground up to move your cargo. You invent the plane to do it faster, cheaper, and far more efficiently.

Sure, but that has nothing to do with whether or not biocomputers are actually possible.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Langy

Sure, but that has nothing to do with whether or not biocomputers are actually possible.

As possible as flying cars. Realistic, but silly and less useful.

[Zale]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

As possible as flying cars. Realistic, but silly and less useful.

That hasn't stopped people from wanting silly and useless things.

If an AI or Mind Emulation or whatever has enough money, and is eccentric enough, then it may just decide to use a biocomputer for any number of ridiculous and illogical reasons.

"It makes me feel one with the organics!"