Here's the source : http://www.gamepro.c...-mass-effect-2/
[Edit : The copy/paste didn't went so well sorry]
The Real Science of Mass Effect 2
by Andrew Groen April 13, 2010 17:03 PM PST
With the help of respected scientists, including astrobiologists, particle physicists, astronomers, artificial intelligence researchers, and a holographics expert, we set out to learn how much of the technology in the game is based on reality.
While science fiction and high-fantasy are similar in that they both allow authors to create realities out of the impossible, they are different in terms of how the two genres approach their particular brand
of fantasy. In Dragon Age: Origins for instance, BioWare really didn't have to adhere to any preexisting notions of what the world they created could and could not be because of the player's general acceptance of magic and mysticism. But with Mass Effect 2, the hard science in the game requires a more carefully considered approach. Some of the strongest sci-fi has a basis in reality, which leads us to our next question: How much of the technology and science presented in Mass Effect 2 is pure fantasy and how much is actually plausible? We called upon the help of several scientists, including astrobiologists, particle physicists, astronomers, artificial intelligence researchers, and a holographics expert, to see if modern science can give us a better understanding of the technology in Mass Effect 2.
In Mass Effect 2, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) constructs are approached with extreme skepticism, as their mere presence hints at a certain amount of desperation in Commander Shepard's mission. Throughout the history of science fiction, man has been terrified of the amount of trust it places in machines, and is even more
terrified that one day that trust will be exploited.
The Machine Uprising
"Like most artificial intelligence researchers, I believe that A.I. systems will someday be considered self-aware," says David Chin, an artificial intelligence researcher at the University of Hawaii, and avid Mass Effect fan. "This view is not without controversy though-there are a number of prominent philosophers that consider this impossible."
"A.I.'s would need a good rational reason to destroy or harm us." -David Chin, artificial intelligence researcher
So the logical question that follows is whether or not we have anything to fear from these self-aware intelligences, as the denizens of Mass Effect's universe so clearly do. "It would be hard to imagine A.I.'s as more emotional and less rational than humans," Chin says. "A.I.'s would need a good rational reason to destroy or harm us. Humans and A.I.'s would most likely not compete for scarce resources, so there don't seem to be rational reasons why A.I.'s would want to eliminate humans."
"Though, if we build ecological morality into our A.I.'s, then they might figure out that humans are too numerous for the good of Earth and institute a population-control plan like the Genophage imposed on the Krogans in Mass Effect," Chin continues.
Verdict Plausible
Numerous Alien Races
In the 1960s, astrophysicist Frank Drake created an equation that would allow scientists to calculate, albeit with a very low degree of certainty, the number of advanced civilizations (if any) in our Galaxy. It uses factors that are easy to quantify, such as the number of planet-harboring suns in the Milky Way (around 400 billion), and combinesthem with more difficult estimates like the probability of life arising, and the further chance that intelligence will arise in those life forms.
"Our own example of an advanced civilization on Earth leads others not to have such high hopes of longevity." -Harold Geller, astrobiologist and professor at George Mason University
Mass Effect shows us approximately 15 different alien races, but is this a plausible number? Famed astronomer Carl Sagan once illustrated that if only 1 percent of civilizations can escape self-extinction and survive for galactic time-scales, our galaxy could have upwards of 1 million civilizations. So is Mass Effect pessimistic about the Milky Way's life-supporting qualities?
"I believe this number of civilizations to be reasonable number," says Professor Harold Geller, an astrobiologist at George Mason University. "I would consider it to be neither very optimistic nor very pessimistic."
"There are those who like to point out that the number is most dependent on the life span of an advanced civilization, and our own example of an advanced civilization on Earth leads others not to have such high hopes of longevity."
Though Geller notes that there are still many people-known as "rare Earthers"-who hold that life-bearing planets are extremely uncommon, the number of civilizations in the galaxy is likely just one.
Verdict Possible
Faster-than-Light Travel
Traveling faster than the speed of light is an essential component of nearly all science fiction that involves interstellar travel. Due to the mind-bogglingly vast distances between stars, there's simply no other explanation as to how species could interact or new worlds could be explored.
"All scientific evidence points to the fact that the speed of light is the upper limiting velocity of all things material in this universe." -Professor Harold Geller
"I'm afraid all scientific evidence points to the fact that the speed of light is the upper limiting velocity of all things material in this universe," notes Professor Harold Geller. But BioWare wasn't careless enough to knowingly contradict the most famous equation in all of science: E = mc2, which states that energy equals mass multiplied the speed of light squared. The equation basically states that energy and mass are the same thing, and explains that nothing with mass can travel at or above the speed of light.
So BioWare invented a workaround-the titular "mass effect field." This ancient alien technology, stumbled upon by mankind deep beneath the surface of Mars, creates a corridor through space that lowers the mass of everything within it and raises the speed of light allowing for much faster travel. While this explanation theoretically makes sense, it exists entirely in fantasy and thus it is impossible to speculate whether or not it could ever come to fruition.
Verdict Unknown
Intergalactic Skype
Perhaps the most complicated and technical aspect of Mass Effect 2 is its communication system. It is explained that to communicate with the Illusive Man instantaneously from thousands of light years away, the Normandy employs a system called "quantum entanglement," a real-life theory that shows that a coupling of photons will change polarity at the exact same time no matter if they are 10 inches apart or 10 billion miles apart.
"Bottom line: It doesn't make sense." - Sheldon Stone, particle physicist
Mass Effect 2 tells us that one part of a pair of these particles is embedded in the Normandy, and the other in Cerberus headquarters. When one of the particles is changed, the other reflects the change immediately. From there, a system not unlike interstellar Morse Code is used to transfer information. But could this actually work, or is this a distortion of the theory?
"Bottom line: It doesn't make sense," says Sheldon Stone, a particle physicist at Syracuse University. He explains that it is impossible to know whether the polarity will end up positive or negative once you change it because the result is random. According to quantum physics, it is fundamentally impossible to influence which polarity you'll get.
Verdict False
Floating Holograms
For decades sci-fi fans have been enthralled by the possibilities of holographics, reaching a high point with famous floating holograms of Darth Vader and Princess Leia from the Star Wars movies. Mass Effect also uses holograms extensively, from the Normandy's computer displays, to the projection of their A.I. construct EDI, and even the ever-present omni-tool worn on the arm of many characters.
"Hollywood and a zealous popular media have exaggerated the reality of holograms, leaving most people with unrealistic concepts and expectations of the genuine article." -Richard Bruck, professor of Holography at Columbia College Chicago
But Richard Bruck, professor of Holography at Columbia College Chicago, says that this popular view of holograms is a distortion of reality. Real-life holograms, he says, are much different.
"Seduced by the idea of Super Man's Jor-El or Princess Leia suspended ethereally in our presence, Hollywood and a zealous popular media have exaggerated the reality of holograms, leaving most people with unrealistic concepts and expectations of the genuine article," Bruck says.
He says that while the technology isn't necessarily impossible, these would not be holograms. It would require an entirely separate technology apart from holography in order to accomplish these types of free-floating images.
Verdict Plausible
Krogan Biology
Krogan soldiers are notoriously difficult to kill-anybody who played a Mass Effect game can attest to that. Krogans are a large, reptilian species that evolved to support multiple sets of backup organs and even a secondary nervous system to help them survive their species' constant wars and battling. We asked an evolutionary biology researcher at UCLA whether or not this sounds like a likely scenario.
"Certainly the form and feature of life today have been shaped by evolutionary forces that relate to struggles within and between species." -Michael Alfaro of the UCLA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
"Certainly the form and feature of life today have been shaped by evolutionary forces that relate to struggles within and between species," says Michael Alfaro of the UCLA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. "Backup organs and nervous systems are a bit far-fetched, though. The main problem is that these systems are expensive. If one lineage has the redundant set of organs, that means in an absolute sense that fewer resources are available to procreate."
Alfaro explains that while the extra organs and backup nervous system would allow Krogans to be better equipped for survival, it wouldn't necessarily aid in the birth of the next generation, which is the key component of evolutionary theory. In his words, "in biology, it's usually all about the copulation." He adds, though, that fish have an entirely separate nervous system that takes over to help them escape predators, so there is precedent for these types of survival mechanisms in our own world.
Verdict Possible
Modifié par Tharukor, 14 avril 2010 - 03:57 .
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... well a robot/ai and a Joker.
