A lot of it is what your priorities are.
Indeed, synthesis, especially as presented by the Reapers, is a very subjective and divisive topic.
I personally don't trust the implementation or nature of the Synthesis as the Catalyst defines it. I view it as a form of 'Reaperization'.
Indeed, synthesis, especially as presented by the Reapers, is a very subjective and divisive topic.
I personally don't trust the implementation or nature of the Synthesis as the Catalyst defines it. I view it as a form of 'Reaperization'.
I don't mind the whole 'enacting it on the large scale' for the people of the galaxy.
What I mean is that I literally do not trust that the Catalyst's envisioning of synthesis is what is good for the galaxy.
I intend to destroy the Reapers, then enact our own version of synthesis using the tech that we now control to advance us to that point.
How I interpreted it, organics would basically acquire the ability to connect to cyberspace. Being able to pass along large quantities of information at rapid speeds would no longer be exclusive to synthetic life-forms, the only requirement for organics would be to have some compatible device to do it through (friendly AI being the ideal conductors).
I am actually wrapping up a fanfic piece following my canon in Mass Effect where I explore that. Were I not terrible at writing fiction, I would share it, but alas...
In Shep's boots I don't think I would trust that shooting a tube which looks like it has a volatile fuel coursing through it would activate a complex set of machinery.
You're right, but that's just another element of the endings that shows how poorly they were written. Why would the engineers and scientists who built the Crucible have it designed to trigger by destroying part of it, rather than by punching a command in on a console somewhere?
You're right, but that's just another element of the endings that shows how poorly they were written. Why would the engineers and scientists who built the Crucible have it designed to trigger by destroying part of it, rather than by punching a command in on a console somewhere?
Plus, no one actually tells Shepard to shoot the tube (unless the image of Anderson shooting the tube was something the Catalyst uploaded to Shepard's head that none of them decided to comment on; which also raises the question why it only decided to use such a convenient method of communication only for such simple instructions).
You're right, but that's just another element of the endings that shows how poorly they were written. Why would the engineers and scientists who built the Crucible have it designed to trigger by destroying part of it, rather than by punching a command in on a console somewhere?
One thing that Synthesis advocates seem to be overlooking is the fact that it is not a permanent "solution" or guarantee of ongoing galactic peace and harmony for a couple of reasons:
- New species will continue to evolve, and they will be pure organic / synthetic. Unless the synthesized species have both the capability and the will to inflict synthesis on all of them as they emerge, you will still end up with organic / synthetic dissonance - and the cycles would continue.
- Any systems outside the AOE of the relays networked to the Citadel would not be impacted by the magic space energy, so no change.
- It only addresses conflict between organics and synthetics. War / power struggles could still erupt between different groups or factions of synthesized life forms.
... unless you believe that synthesis would include some sort of galactic mind-meld, where individuals are all like nodes of some greater galactic whole - in which case, any instincts, emotions, desires, free will, or individuality of organics would be obliterated... and if that happens, they may just as well be all pure synthetic.
Synthesis is the ultimate "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" ending. The only real difference (aside from Shepard's sacrifice) is that you'd be synthesized in your current form instead of going through the process of being harvested to be synthesized into reaper form.
With high-EMS destroy and Shepard's survival, Shepard will be able to convey all that was learned from the Catalyst to the galactic community. It maintains individuality, free will, and diversity, and gives the galactic community the opportunity to work together toward a different "solution".
One has to remember what the purpose of synthesis was: to stop the cycle. Synthetics learn through understanding. The Catalyst was programmed to preserve organic life at all costs. Synthesis eliminates all organic life and creates organo-synthetic hybrids that synthetics can understand. End of the cycle. It has fulfilled its purpose.
But still we don't know if it will succeed. That's why the reapers remain. "We have tried a similar solution before, but it has always failed." This is Bioware's out for this ending.
That tube thing is part of the Citadel, not the Crucible. The Crucible is above you when you speak with the Catalyst. Why is the Decision Chamber even on the Citadel you're probably asking yourself? No one knows.
If you asked me, I'd say that it was added during past cycles by other species who wanted to use the Crucible.
There is a thread here, The Catalyst Deception which has an interesting theory on the decision chamber.
synthesis? garbage. lets all be friendly with the mass murdering physics defying mass murderers from hell. One problem. Reapers still exist indoctrinating everyone and everything. Same with Control. Who seriously thinks that having the reapers still being around is a good idea?
Give your heads a shake. Destroying the reapers is the only way. Anything else and you're indoctrinated.
Guest_Trust_*
I'm not arrogant enough to pretend to know what's best for the galaxy, that sort of attitude is beneath me, all I know is that, in those final moments, I chose what I thought was right and just.
But isn't this post arrogant? You're kinda pointing out that you're superior and above the "I know what's best for the galaxy" crowd. You're saying that you know better than the others.
...Wait... is me pointing this out also arrogant, because I'm kinda making myself feel superior than all of you?
No, it's not arrogant, because while you are pointing out your superior ability to analyze an invalid aspect of an argument, you are also 100% correct.
I've come to a point where I'm not big on High EMS Destroyers (even though I am one myself) that lack reflection and real understanding as to the nature of the endings, the Reapers, and the implications of what you're really doing.
You're right, but that's just another element of the endings that shows how poorly they were written. Why would the engineers and scientists who built the Crucible have it designed to trigger by destroying part of it, rather than by punching a command in on a console somewhere?
As someone with a background in controls engineering, I find any control system which requires the demise of the operator as a standard of normal operation to be somewhat flawed ...
On topic, I am of the view that any conclusion in which the Reapers are still functioning in any form is a terrible ending
As someone with a background in controls engineering, I find any control system which requires the demise of the operator as a standard of normal operation to be somewhat flawed ...
On topic, I am of the view that any conclusion in which the Reapers are still functioning in any form is a terrible ending
sPORNSTAR!
sPORNSTAR!
Heh, yep ... took a two-year hiatus, DA:I dragged me back ...
Destroy all the way.
Put yourself in Shepard's boots for a moment, rather than thinking it about like the a player who knows that a sequel will never have any of the three ending choices result in mass extinction. Would you trust the megalomaniacal A.I. and his fleet of thousands of mass-murdering machines, responsible for the mass extinctions of perhaps thousands of sapients species, to embrace peace and protect galactic civilization rather than destroy it?
I don't know about you, but in Shepard's boots I'd shoot the f-king tube before Glow Boy finished a single sentence.
I do wish there were a "I delete data like you on the way to real errors" option just before choosing Destroy.
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I choose Control or Destroy. I like the potential of "Control". The AI concept is more versatile. In my headcanon, Reaper-Shepard-AI spends years rebuilding what was destroyed, but gradually purges her human memories in favor of heightened system processing, becoming more and more of the machine that made the Reapers. In her last moments as a Reaper, she holds on to the memories of her LI and uses that as final incentive to send the fleets flying into the sun. The purged data winds up in the Citadel, which then forms a new AI that protects the Citadel, but has no data or memory of her old lover (and continues to search tragically for the missing pieces!)
So... still dead, still sad love story, but being an AI in the Citadel feels more right than being in a Reaper, at least. 
I'd like to think her function there is harmless, similar to the Keepers. To maintain and protect it. Perhaps a bit more evolved to protect the inhabitants as well.
More importantly, I just want the potential to meet EDI again in the future to have nice AI talks and exchanging-of-data. I'm sure there's flaws to this headcanon. *sob*
Heh, yep ... took a two-year hiatus, DA:I dragged me back ...
Oh I was not saying "hi," just making fun of your username. 
To me, synthesis would mean the conversion of every individual to an entirely different life form and the extinction of those that currently exist. I get the impression that some people view it as something along the lines of additional cybernetic enhancements to organics - though I've no idea how the organic changes to synthetics would manifest in that scenario. Me, too. If synthesis is seen as desirable by some, it could be pursued on an individual basis, rather than enforcing the Catalyst definition on every member of every species in the galaxy.
The best ending is MEHEM imo, as its not infected with the catalyst. If i were to surgically remove its vile presence from my mind in terms of the official endings and just look at the end states. I'd argue high EMS destroy is the best as galaxy is free of the reapers and while there is damage to be repaired, in the long run the galaxy is free to develop down whatever path it wishes. Second best would probably be control, reaper sythe is hanging over the heads of the galaxy but at least in the short-term things are better. Last has to come synthesis. The reapers still exist but lack any control over their actions.(don't believe for a 2nd that they will all be benevolent). Then there's the fact that every being in the galaxy has their DNA rewritten against their wishes which could have goodness knows how many negative consequences.
Oh I was not saying "hi," just making fun of your username.
Ah yes, I've never heard that before /s. I never really made the connection until some of my guildmates in the early WoW days started using that nickname. I'm still a little miffed that the handles "Lohengrin" and "Memnon" were already taken when I first signed up, which are the most common names I use for game characters.
The best ending is MEHEM imo, as its not infected with the catalyst. If i were to surgically remove its vile presence from my mind in terms of the official endings and just look at the end states. I'd argue high EMS destroy is the best as galaxy is free of the reapers and while there is damage to be repaired, in the long run the galaxy is free to develop down whatever path it wishes. Second best would probably be control, reaper sythe is hanging over the heads of the galaxy but at least in the short-term things are better. Last has to come synthesis. The reapers still exist but lack any control over their actions.(don't believe for a 2nd that they will all be benevolent). Then there's the fact that every being in the galaxy has their DNA rewritten against their wishes which could have goodness knows how many negative consequences.
My thoughts - at a high level, Saren and the Reapers want Synthesis; The Illusive Man wants control; both are our enemies ... Destroy is the only option which leaves the Reapers as nonfunctional, so that's my chioce ...
Y'know, I find it fascinating reading everyone's preferred ending and the reasons they gave for choosing it. It tells me Bioware did a great job in creating 3 equally justifiable endings. Even the fact that each one is still rather vague in its implications and consequences. I think the ambiguity was good.
For me, I never hesitated to choose Synthesis. My Paragon Shepard cured the genophage and brokered peace between the Quarians and the Geth. She was particularly proud of the fact that Krogan troops came to the aid of their old enemies the Turians. My Shepard believed that the best end to war is not victory, but peace. She believed that peace is always possible - even with the Reapers, if they could be reformed. Synthesis is the olive branch option.
My one issue with the ending is that little "if they could be reformed" thing. Because your 3 choices are still presented to you by the enemy. It could be lying. It could be manipulating you into its final victory. Sure, it said "our solution won't work anymore," it said we "altered the variables", it said "the Crucible changed me". But after eons of galactic genocide, I think we need a little more convincing.
And here's where I plug my revised ending, in which I address these very issues. 
I think that Destroy has the most potential to open up more possibilities.
When you synthesize all members of a species, you are essentially bringing about the extinction of that species in its non-synthesized form.
I guess my biggest objection to synthesis is that I feel it is a form of diversity-reducing homogenization.
Of course, the story as presented gives us so little information about what it means and its ramifications, we're probably all making different assumptions
Thats why I prefer Control, then people can seek Synthesis on their own, and get Shepards upgrades.
I think Synthesis gives everyone Shepards upgrades, built up by Reaper nanites that were originaly meant to huskify people. Now they Shepardfy people if you pick Synthesis. A whole galaxy of Shepards.
If I pick control then people can get upgraded by choice, non-upgraded people become secondclass citizens due to their dissabilities.
Kind of like people without education today, so eventualy most will upgrade except for a few crazy religious people.
The mormons or whatever.
From a story writing standpoint, I think destroy is the best. It offers the best hope for conflict. More conflict = more story.
From an idealistic standpoint, hmmm... I don't particularly like blasting my allies to win the war. I don't want to change every single form of organic life in the galaxy to satisfy the whims of a deranged AI.
Control on the other hand, you actually get rid of Starbrat. You don't kill your synthetic allies. You can make the reapers clean up their mess. Plus you can even create a fleet of luxury liners and gambling casinos that travel around the galaxy!
I really don't mind people getting synthetic upgrades. Hell, if they were available now and if I could afford them I'd get them myself. If they come out with the ability to upload your mind into a super computer so you can live in a virtual reality I'd do it - I'm 62, and that tech might be available in my lifetime. If I'm in my late 80s with a sound mind, I'd go for it. My body is starting to fail now. I'm seeing the beginning of the long decline, why not live like those virtual aliens?
One has to remember what the purpose of synthesis was: to stop the cycle. Synthetics learn through understanding. The Catalyst was programmed to preserve organic life at all costs. Synthesis eliminates all organic life and creates organo-synthetic hybrids that synthetics can understand. End of the cycle. It has fulfilled its purpose.
But still we don't know if it will succeed. That's why the reapers remain. "We have tried a similar solution before, but it has always failed." This is Bioware's out for this ending.
The worst thing about the Synthesis ending, IMO, is that it is the only ending that leaves the Catalyst alive. Destroy destroys him and Control replaces him with Catalyst 2.0, a.k.a. the Sheplyst. Synthesis keeps the A.I. responsible for the extinction cycles functioning and in control of a fully intact Reaper fleet.
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