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[arkproject]

I hope everyone enjoyed their time in the Vivarium at last month's swear-in if you went. It seems like it went off alright! I've been doing some more work on it since then, so if anyone wants to be a bug tester, let me know.

What do you all do to have fun in winter? Not necessarily about the holidays. It's been a while since I was top-side for this length of time, much less anywhere with snow.

Comments

[defriendzone]

You're the person who created the Vivarium?

[arkproject]

That's me! I'm Catherine. Did you go in?

[defriendzone]

I did.
But I wonder...
What was the reason you created something like that?
Was it just scientific curiosity, or was there another reason?
It felt too real just for entertainment purposes.

[arkproject]

There was another reason originally, you're right.

But in this dimension, it was basically just for fun. I like doing it.

[defriendzone]

Is it too personal to explain what that original reason was?
Though here giving yourself something to occupy your thoughts is probably as good a reason as any.

[arkproject]

No, I don't mind.

The population of Earth was almost entirely wiped out, and I was trying to save what I could of humanity that remained. Even if it was just consciousnesses in a simulation spinning among the stars, it was worth it to me.

[defriendzone]

What would happen to the actual bodies of the survivors? Even if you could eat virtual food in your virtual reality there's no way that would actually sustain the people plugged into it. It doesn't seem like a solution as much as a temporary escape for those that survived.

[arkproject]

Oh, sorry. I should've said.

I had to modify it to work here. Originally, it operates with brain scans of people, not living people. That's what I am-- a scan.

[defriendzone]

[ A pause as he mulls it over. Is there a way to question a person's existence that isn't at least a little offensive?

Also this whole thing seems plausible, but it is pretty shocking to hear. ]

How is your scan stored?

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[prostheticbody]

It was pretty impressive. You could probably make a good business out of it, if you can iron out the kinks.

[Like the people going crazy part. That's a pretty big kink.]

[arkproject]

I guess I could. I'm not very interested in money, though. I get enough from my job.

But thanks for the compliment! What kinks do you think I need to iron out?

[prostheticbody]

The part where people experience extreme dissociation from their physical bodies could use some work.

[arkproject]

I don't know if there's anything I can do about that. Not with the original people. And depending on the person... Simon still experienced some even as a scan.