A different ascension - the Synthesis compendium (now with EC material integrated)
#6251
Posté 25 novembre 2012 - 03:02
#6252
Posté 26 novembre 2012 - 06:37
GethPrimeMKII wrote...
I have a question. Why Shepard? Why this cycle and not the thousands of cycles that came before.Why is Shepard the only organic to come about in millions of years of reaping that can make synthesis happen? I guess what I want to ask is, why is Shepard essential to this process?
It seems that it's pure chance that Shepard just happens to be the one standing there. And that's what makes this moment truly epic. After a billion years, Shepard is the first organic to stand before the Catalyst. He is removed from the "normal" world. He's in the presence of a god, a god whom he has impressed. And that god grants Shepard god-like power.
Shepard can choose to destroy the gods, replace the gods (Control), or join the gods by disseminating their power across the galaxy (Synthesis). It's the most important moment in the history of the galaxy since the creation of the cycle. I don't think the game emphasizes just how incredibly epic this moment really is.
Modifié par CosmicGnosis, 26 novembre 2012 - 06:44 .
#6253
Posté 26 novembre 2012 - 07:15
GethPrimeMKII wrote...
I have a question. Why Shepard? Why this cycle and not the thousands of cycles that came before.Why is Shepard the only organic to come about in millions of years of reaping that can make synthesis happen? I guess what I want to ask is, why is Shepard essential to this process?
It's not just Shepard but the whole galactic civilization made it happen. No other cycle had managed to complete the Crucible and no one else had asembled a fleet like Shepard had.
#6254
Posté 26 novembre 2012 - 12:18
I agree that it's an epic moment. But I don't think it's pure chance. Of course there's the element of luck that distinguishes successful heroes from the prematurely dead ones, but the probability that something like this would happen increased with each cycle, as species after species added to the Crucible.CosmicGnosis wrote...
GethPrimeMKII wrote...
I have a question. Why Shepard? Why this cycle and not the thousands of cycles that came before.Why is Shepard the only organic to come about in millions of years of reaping that can make synthesis happen? I guess what I want to ask is, why is Shepard essential to this process?
It seems that it's pure chance that Shepard just happens to be the one standing there. And that's what makes this moment truly epic. After a billion years, Shepard is the first organic to stand before the Catalyst. He is removed from the "normal" world. He's in the presence of a god, a god whom he has impressed. And that god grants Shepard god-like power.
Shepard can choose to destroy the gods, replace the gods (Control), or join the gods by disseminating their power across the galaxy (Synthesis). It's the most important moment in the history of the galaxy since the creation of the cycle. I don't think the game emphasizes just how incredibly epic this moment really is.
But anyway, GethPrimeMKII was asking a different question: why does Synthesis specifically work with Shepard and not with anyone else? I think we can infer there are two conditions: (1) X has made it into the presence of the Catalyst, and (2) X is willing to choose Synthesis. Once these conditions are fulfilled, Synthesis is enacted as X imagines it, within the constraints explained by the Catalyst. That's the only way the sacrifice can be made to make sense, though I'd question why the Crucible can't simply perform a non-destructive read. The same applies to Control. Sacrifice scenarios like this don't work well in an SF universe.
Also, as I've mentioned elsewhere, the Catalyst is clearly meant to come across as an AI god. I wouldn't have any problem with hat, had it been at least somewhat convincing. As it is, that doesn't work at all. Because of the inconsistencies, and especially the fact that we aren't allowed to raise them as problems, it rather comes across as a buggy AI with pretentions to divinity whose word we have to accept because of its status rather than its convincing arguments.
What? We aren't allowed to question gods? Tell that to Cyrus Shepard, and the likely answer is a dismissive glance expressing his utmost contempt.
Modifié par Ieldra2, 26 novembre 2012 - 12:22 .
#6255
Posté 26 novembre 2012 - 12:58
Say the first civilization was 10 billion years ago. Each cycle reaches it apex every 50 000 years. That's give or take 2 million cycles, 2 million repeats of the same pattern. Now, it stands to reason that in this system, the probability of a new random factor being introduced increases with every repeat. Shepard is presented as such a factor. As a mere flesh and blood being, Shepard has destroyed 3 reapers on foot, flipped off a fourth and rallied an entire galaxy behind their banner to fight a supposedly 'inevitable' process. With no previous mention, reference or otherwise of precursor tampering, Shepard's ulitmate fate is to become the unique factor that breaks the entire system. The lynch pin which brings the whole organisation down. He is literally a random, if unusually well-known, person who got sucked into this mess.
All and all, it was really a matter of time and probability that someone stand in those chambers, make the decision and ultimately bring the system to a halt. To be honest, I would except this supposedly 'god-like' AI, to know that something would change in the cycles eventually. Someone like Shepard being born/created into the cycles, was always a probability and I would even go as far as to say an eventuality.
What my Shepard can't understand, and by extention, myself - why do the Reapers insist on contradicting themselves? I know it's really a moot point, and its been discussed to hell already - but they themselves are the problem. They've essentially become the thing that they were programmed to destroy. Unless the Catalyst has become corrupted or re-written itself over countless cycles to alter its criteria of 'perservation', they should have already self-destructed by know, following the original guidelines of its purpose according to the Leviathans.
I'm sorry - I had a point with this but I've lost it. Anyway, just - who the f*ck in their right mind, leaves the fact of all organics in a pure synthetic lifeform? Now - if it were an organic lifeform originally that had its brain uploaded into a digital system then promptly went mad in its warped state (much like my original Synthesis headcanon) and fufuilled its purpose a bit too literally (or was experiencing loneliness) and wanted to ease its pain by creating others like itself, then I would understand completely. And even feel pity, sympathy and pick Synthesis every time so everyone has a common ground to work from and so the Catalyst itself wouldn't feel lonely.
Having a pure synthetic decide the fate of the entire milky way was, to me, the stupidiest idea in this type of scenario. period.
But by the same token, I guess that's why Shepard is the best choice for deciding the cycle's ultimate fate, since he himself is a Cyborg.
#6256
Posté 26 novembre 2012 - 01:20
. Also Shepard is special. Shepard is consistently shown to be better than everyone else, nothing wrong with this, it's just a part of video games. No one else can Control the Reapers, no be else can destroy them, and I guess no one else can take the leap of faith.JedTed wrote...
GethPrimeMKII wrote...
I have a question. Why Shepard? Why this cycle and not the thousands of cycles that came before.Why is Shepard the only organic to come about in millions of years of reaping that can make synthesis happen? I guess what I want to ask is, why is Shepard essential to this process?
It's not just Shepard but the whole galactic civilization made it happen. No other cycle had managed to complete the Crucible and no one else had asembled a fleet like Shepard had.
#6257
Posté 27 novembre 2012 - 04:55
Anyone else support this theory?
#6258
Posté 27 novembre 2012 - 06:24
JedTed wrote...
On the topic of the non-literal endings, one thing that i just can't look at literally is that mysterious white light and the platform which raises Shepard to the Citadel exterior. I see the "elevator" as an illustration of Shepard's mind interfacing with the Citadel and the "decision chamber" is like a virtual reality created by Shepard's brain. The choices are presented the way they are so that Shepard can easily activate the Crucible.
Anyone else support this theory?
So, taking this theory at face value. If Shepard does in fact make the choice in a virtual reality scenario and sacrifices their 'mind' for the choices. With the whole 'Your mind makes it real' trope engaged, he's left as a lifeless husk in the phyiscal world in two of three cases.
I don't know what's worse. Having the choices real and Shepard being killed off for real, or the choices being virtual and ending up a vegtable in the real world.
Sharing the sentiment with Ashley... Don't know what's worse.
#6259
Posté 29 novembre 2012 - 10:49
That certain things are so hard - even impossible - to frame in terms of in-world logic is a sign that the writers didn't do their job well.
#6260
Posté 29 novembre 2012 - 02:16
I see no problem with your interpretation of Petrovsky (I have the same). The data there is sufficient.Ieldra2 wrote...
@iOnlySignIn
I am still waiting for you to provide evidence for your claim that the information we get about Petrovsky (or Synthesis) is insignificant.
However, it is not in the case of Synthesis.
Firstly, the burden of proof is on you, not me. You have to prove that Shepard has enough (pre-Ending Color Choice) evidence that Synthesis will work. Destroy is the null hypothesis - to choose anything else requires data. TIM has provided sufficient data (on Sanctuary and on the Citadel) to convince me that Control will work. The Catalyst failed to do the same for Synthesis - so it's your turn.
In your lengthy and well-organized OP, I did not find any explanation as to how Synthesis works exactly. You used words like "matrix" and "DNA" and then quickly prevaricates that they are not used in the sense understood by the scientific community. You admit it's metaphoric. You use wild speculations (you call it "extrapolation"), and mystical arguments drawn from sources outside the ME universe. That is insufficient.
I have some simple questions re: Synthesis. Let's see if you have enough information to answer the first 2:
(1) How can the Catalyst affect Organic life? It is designed to control Reapers. This easily explains Destroy (it can order Reapers to self-destruct) and Control (it can transfer its authority elsewhere) but not Synthesis. How does its control of the Reapers and the Relays extend to instantaneously affect all organic life? Specifically, since Synthesis involves physical change, how does the Catalyst instantly inject materials into all organic beings in the galaxy? Where do these materials come from?
(2) Moreover, what are these physical vehicles of Synthesis? Taking the "DNA" and "matrix" into account, it appears Synthesis affect organics at a molecular, or at least cellular level. What is the chemical agent of that? Is it silicon-based semiconductors? Or carbon? Given the diversity of organic life in the universe (different DNA chiralities, ammonia-based as opposed to water-based lifeforms) how can the uniform change of Synthesis account to all the differences in their physiology?
#6261
Posté 29 novembre 2012 - 02:57
Which is not exactly an ideal state of things, but I can live with it. Why? Because of this: the Crucible is a "sufficiently advanced technology". In hard SF terms, that means that it works on the principle that any physical state of matter and energy possible under the laws of physics can be brought about and transformed into any other such state by some kind of technology. It doesn't really matter how if the technology is implied to be far beyond the current understanding of in-world civilization. It's only because of this principle that mysterious artifacts are possible at all in hard SF scenarios. And ME isn't even hard SF.
As for being "possible", that means that Synthesis is only non-viable from a technical viewpoint if it can be shown that the result is impossible. As I see it, the biggest hurdles are
(1) The scale of the thing. Affecting a whole galaxy is a hard sell, but the same applies to all endings - how would Destroy affect a Reaper far away from the next mass relay. Instantly?
(2) The fact that the effect is instant. I blame artistic license for the scene on Earth and think that the process would take a few days.
Now about your questions:
(1a) As I said, the "how of it" isn't really important and I can only offer speculation, but I envision the green beam as a stream of FTL-capable small containers carrying nano-scale particle clusters through the mass relays and by non-relay FTL to the various star systems. These nanomachines make the change. The effect isn't really instantaneous. Others have speculated about extending the principle of QE devices to create matter transmission technology because if QE works, then theoretically matter transmission is also possible.
(1b) The Catalyst is not designed to control Reapers. The Reapers are its invention, remember? As for how it can affect organics, see above and there is the example of indoctrination which should count as "affecting organics", right? There is no reason to assume it can't affect organics in other ways.
(1c) There is still considerable uncertainty about whether the Crucible or the Catalyst is the primary agent of the three functions. Read my OP for a (quoted) rationale for Synthesis having been built into the Crucible by an advanced civilization.
(2) Do you need to know all these things? Yes, Synthesis affects organics on a cellular or biochemical level. I have offered some speculation in part IV of my OP about how this could work. Others have speculated about a "DNA wrapping" technology, others about replacing DNA with something else that serves the same function only with more options
But in the end all that is unimportant. The Crucible is an artifact of a "sufficiently advanced technology", which means that as long as the result is compatible with the laws of physics, the "how" doesn't really matter. It doesn't matter that the machine producing these results must be very, very complex and integrate huge amounts of data about the possible variations of life to be affected, as long as that complexity isn't proven to be impossible.
In a sense, I find it very plausible that the process remains unknown. Because of this:
[b]If a technology is based on an understanding of the universe far beyond ours, it only makes sense that we don't understand how it works, or that we only understand the parts this side of the line where the unknown interfaces with the known.[b]
If you still insist to know how things work, let me ask you a question: how does the Sentinels' tech armor work? Hard light? Pfft....
Modifié par Ieldra2, 29 novembre 2012 - 02:59 .
#6262
Posté 29 novembre 2012 - 06:09
???
I apologize for asking such a silly question I literally have nothing else to do as the SO has made it pretty clear I shouldn't work.
#6263
Posté 29 novembre 2012 - 06:14
I mean, Cannibals are a mix of different species.
Ugh, synthesis is such an ugly, ugly option...
#6264
Posté 29 novembre 2012 - 06:22
Taboo-XX wrote...
I had a question, being stuck at home at the time sick. The damage from Indoctrination is permanent but what is Synthesis going to do to said people? Do they improve? Does the decay stop?
???
I apologize for asking such a silly question I literally have nothing else to do as the SO has made it pretty clear I shouldn't work.
I think indoctrination would cease in Destroy and Synthesis (unsure about Control), but as far as brain-damage, what's done is done. Some people may be able to recover, others won't. The change Synthesis brings about itself doesn't sound like it would fix the damage, but maybe the "integration with technology" could mean that some of these people can use equipment to assist them with living their everyday lives (maybe having an AI or VI run their body).
And rapid-indoc victims (husks) would be too far-gone to recover any sapience (or for that matter, personality). Best explanation is that they are basically mobile platforms of the Reapers, ala EDI to the Normandy.
#6265
Posté 30 novembre 2012 - 07:05
Ieldra2 wrote...
If you still insist to know how things work, let me ask you a question: how does the Sentinels' tech armor work? Hard light? Pfft....
NITPICKING TIME !!!!
Although body armor and kinetic barriers provide significant protection for relatively low cost, technically savvy soldiers sometimesgo further.
"Tech Armor" is the common term for a complex series of field generators that disrupt incoming force using a stationary warp effect. The theory is that bullets that would normally shatter on impact instead break apart when they strike the field. The field then bleeds away the shrapnel's kinetic energy. The standard design for tech armor traps the warp field between two low-yield kinetic barriers to protect the user from the field itself. When the outer barrier fails, the warp effect is discharged, potentially harming anyone nearby. For this reason, many soldiers modify the armor with a haptic-style light effect to warn allies not to get too close. On missions where stealth is paramount, this effect is disabled. Cynical soldiers joke that the design is called "tech armor" because if it were simply called "warp armor," no one would use it.
The 'warp effect' referred to is that of rapidly shifting mass effect fields.
Source
Modifié par Eckswhyzed, 30 novembre 2012 - 07:06 .
#6266
Posté 30 novembre 2012 - 01:43
The same way the Catalyst controls the Reapers. That is its function. Synthesis is not.Ieldra2 wrote...
(1) The scale of the thing. Affecting a whole galaxy is a hard sell, but the same applies to all endings - how would Destroy affect a Reaper far away from the next mass relay. Instantly?
OK I think it will take much longer than that but it's a start.(2) The fact that the effect is instant. I blame artistic license for the scene on Earth and think that the process would take a few days.
Yeah, that is the only plausible hypothesis I can think of.(1a) As I said, the "how of it" isn't really important and I can only offer speculation, but I envision the green beam as a stream of FTL-capable small containers carrying nano-scale particle clusters through the mass relays and by non-relay FTL to the various star systems. These nanomachines make the change. The effect isn't really instantaneous. Others have speculated about extending the principle of QE devices to create matter transmission technology because if QE works, then theoretically matter transmission is also possible.
But it's plain physically impossible because the total mass of nanomachines needed for all organic life in the galaxy would exceed the mass of the Citadel itself by many orders of magnitude. I can give you a detailed mathematical derivation of that but I think it's pretty evident.
The manufacturing of those nanomachines alone could take decades because detailed information regarding every organic species need to be gathered and evaluated. Such work has evidently not been done, since the Reapers were "hibernating" in Dark Space until very recently.
Semantics. The Catalyst's function is to control the Reapers is what I mean and you know it.(1b) The Catalyst is not designed to control Reapers. The Reapers are its invention, remember?
Covered this already. Synthesis is decidely different from Indoctrination because it requires physical materials to be injected into organics, as opposed to a long-distance action which influence only the mind (i.e. most likely pure energy).As for how it can affect organics, see above and there is the example of indoctrination which should count as "affecting organics", right? There is no reason to assume it can't affect organics in other ways.
Then why didn't the Catalyst mention this? Seems like an important point.(1c) There is still considerable uncertainty about whether the Crucible or the Catalyst is the primary agent of the three functions. Read my OP for a (quoted) rationale for Synthesis having been built into the Crucible by an advanced civilization.
The Catalyst designed its own solution (the Reapers) which is to harvest organics. This implicitly suggests that no specific direction (such as Synthesis) was given to it by its creators in the first place - why else did the Catalyst come up with its own solution?
Moreover, suppose Synthesis was the original designed function of the Catalyst. The the Catalyst had purposefully, willfully deviated from that function by creating the Reaper harvest cycles. This makes the Catalyst an AI which rebelled against its organic creators, and destroys its credibility because it is essentially self-contradictory.
Finally, this entire idea is null and void after Leviathan anyway, as the Leviathans had explicitly explained their creation of the Catalyst, which has nothing whatsoever to do with Synthesis.
Except that it isn't.If a technology is based on an understanding of the universe far beyond ours, it only makes sense that we don't understand how it works, or that we only understand the parts this side of the line where the unknown interfaces with the known.
The Catalyst/Reapers technologies are not far beyond ours at all.
- Thanix Cannon shows that state-of-the-art Reaper weapons technology can be quickly understood and replicated. In MP3 Thanix Cannons are used to destroy Reapers.
- TIM's work on Horizon successfully replicated Indoctrination and Huskification, the most important element to the Reapers' tactical superiority, after but a few short months of research.
- In ME3 many Reapers were destroyed in direct confrontations. Codex entries suggest multiple ways Reapers can be outmaneuvered and defeated in space battles (the "Conventional Victory" crowd are expert on this).
- The very fact that the Catalyst capitulates to Shepard and proposes Synthesis.
There is no evidence that the light is hard/offering protection. For all I know, the light and the "hardness" could be different results of something else (say, an electric field). But let's not go off topic here.If you still insist to know how things work, let me ask you a question: how does the Sentinels' tech armor work? Hard light?
Modifié par iOnlySignIn, 30 novembre 2012 - 01:57 .
#6267
Posté 02 décembre 2012 - 05:47
Aurora313 wrote...
So, taking this theory at face value. If Shepard does in fact make the choice in a virtual reality scenario and sacrifices their 'mind' for the choices. With the whole 'Your mind makes it real' trope engaged, he's left as a lifeless husk in the phyiscal world in two of three cases.
I don't know what's worse. Having the choices real and Shepard being killed off for real, or the choices being virtual and ending up a vegtable in the real world.
Sharing the sentiment with Ashley... Don't know what's worse.
In the those two situations figure that Shepard's body would be 'decompiled'(either by the keepers or by that mysterious white light).
Maybe it's sounds crazy but i like that scenario better than having Shepard actually standing on the outside of the Citadel. I know people have hand-waved it with there's a kinectic barrier air bubble that lets him breath but wouldn't that barrier be destroyed in the explosion when the Crucible activates?
#6268
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 02:50
1. I know about your interpretation of Destroy in general, but do you think that the EC has somewhat confused the choice's thematic implications? Technology is damaged, but it can be rebuilt. The only real downside is that synthetics are killed. And there are also Destroy fans who don't embrace any kind of neo-Luddite philosophy. I guess I'm saying that the EC compromised the "artistic integrity" of high-EMS Destroy, in that the recovery process is simply too easy and the synthetic annihilation is almost completely ignored.
2. Control's ending has an ominous soundtrack. Do you think this implies something sinister, or does it just show that the Reapers are not exactly cuddly teddy bears?
#6269
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 02:55
If I may put my $.02 in.CosmicGnosis wrote...
1. I know about your interpretation of Destroy in general, but do you think that the EC has somewhat confused the choice's thematic implications? Technology is damaged, but it can be rebuilt. The only real downside is that synthetics are killed. And there are also Destroy fans who don't embrace any kind of neo-Luddite philosophy. I guess I'm saying that the EC compromised the "artistic integrity" of high-EMS Destroy, in that the recovery process is simply too easy and the synthetic annihilation is almost completely ignored.
2. Control's ending has an ominous soundtrack. Do you think this implies something sinister, or does it just show that the Reapers are not exactly cuddly teddy bears?
1. I agree that Destroy is not nearly as bad as it was made out to be with the EC. You can take this several ways, I take it as saying that the Catalyst is full of it and that everything will be fine without the reapers watching us. But that is definately open for interpretation.
2. It could just be creepy music for creepy music's sake
#6270
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 03:47
Yeah, I really think they shouldn't have added that in EC. The implications are just horrific for those husk people :/krukow wrote...
Synthesis has to be a living hell for every single husk/marauder/banshee/etc. To be forced to live sentiently as THAT.
I mean, Cannibals are a mix of different species.
Ugh, synthesis is such an ugly, ugly option...
Modifié par IsaacShep, 04 décembre 2012 - 03:47 .
#6271
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 03:51
News report post synthesisIsaacShep wrote...
Yeah, I really think they shouldn't have added that in EC. The implications are just horrific for those husk people :/krukow wrote...
Synthesis has to be a living hell for every single husk/marauder/banshee/etc. To be forced to live sentiently as THAT.
I mean, Cannibals are a mix of different species.
Ugh, synthesis is such an ugly, ugly option...
"Every single reaper husk seems to have simultaneously committed suicide. No one is grieving"
#6272
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 04:12
CosmicGnosis wrote...
Ieldra, I have some questions about your thoughts on the EC Destroy and Control endings.
1. I know about your interpretation of Destroy in general, but do you think that the EC has somewhat confused the choice's thematic implications? Technology is damaged, but it can be rebuilt. The only real downside is that synthetics are killed. And there are also Destroy fans who don't embrace any kind of neo-Luddite philosophy. I guess I'm saying that the EC compromised the "artistic integrity" of high-EMS Destroy, in that the recovery process is simply too easy and the synthetic annihilation is almost completely ignored.
No.
Instead of making destroy a worse ending than it already it is, BW chose to make synthesis better. To me, the thematic validity in destroy is irrelevant, as long as synthesis "carries" the torch of thematic integrity, hence synthesis still requires the highest EMS score (correct me if I am wrong) - it is implied to be something to be aspired to (even though the EC attempted to mitigate the fury this implication caused, like you said, give a positive VISION to destroy)
Now, I also think perhaps ITers and refuse pickers would use what you mentioned about destroy as part of their reasoning - "Nothing is that easy, they MUST be tricking u!"
2. Control's ending has an ominous soundtrack. Do you think this implies something sinister, or does it just show that the Reapers are not exactly cuddly teddy bears?
The apprehension of the unknown is resonating
Modifié par Vigilant111, 04 décembre 2012 - 04:12 .
#6273
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 04:49
Vigilant111 wrote...
Instead of making destroy a worse ending than it already it is, BW chose to make synthesis better. To me, the thematic validity in destroy is irrelevant, as long as synthesis "carries" the torch of thematic integrity, hence synthesis still requires the highest EMS score (correct me if I am wrong) - it is implied to be something to be aspired to (even though the EC attempted to mitigate the fury this implication caused, like you said, give a positive VISION to destroy)
The Highest EMS requirement is actually the breath scene. 3100 EMS. Sound and Vision baby, Destroy has more overt bluntness to it than a sixth grade book report.
Now, I also think perhaps ITers and refuse pickers would use what you mentioned about destroy as part of their reasoning - "Nothing is that easy, they MUST be tricking u!"
There aren't enough typos for this to be a parody of an IT post.
"OMG U CAN'T BELIV IT TRU!!!"
The apprehension of the unknown is resonating
You ARE seizing control over a massive force. No would have taken it seriously if it was Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.
Modifié par Taboo-XX, 04 décembre 2012 - 04:51 .
#6274
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 05:02
#6275
Posté 04 décembre 2012 - 05:50
Optimystic_X wrote...
It greatly heartens me to see this thread still going. Keep it up Ieldra2, you were right all along!
Only about Synthesis.
Hark! We've had quite a bit of fun in here.

Now before I forget I was wondering what was going to happen to pathogens in Synthesis. I seem to recall most issues being taken care of but what about pathogens not being registered?
What if something resurfaces?
What was killing the Cylons in Battlestar Galactica? Meningitis? I seem to think that scenario inspired this post.





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