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(no subject)

Who: SS Windrose crew and visitors
Broadcast: Le nope
Action: SS Windrose
When: April

[For the usage to mingle on the best ship in the fleet. Get your mingle on ladies, gents, and others!]

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[Beverly laughs.]

That she is - one of the most delightful people I've ever met. [Not an exaggeration at all: she adores Wrath.] We're very good friends, you know, so I expect you'll be seeing a lot of me around here.

[Delightful is certainly true.]

She has mentioned a doctor before, so this is you that is so gifted with the healing arts?

[She raises an amused eyebrow.]

Wrath's been bragging about me it seems.

She has had many colourful, and positive, things to say about you and your work. And has mentioned nanobots on one occasion.

Oh! Yes, I have some experience with nanobots and cybernetics, though I'm no roboticist.

Fascinating. Ordis must ask, what do you believe the intelligence of nanobots to be?

[She tilts her head thoughtfully.]

Well, I suppose it depends. Not all nanobots are programmed the same, after all, nor do all of them exist in the right conditions to evolve beyond their basic functions - which is no different than organic life, really. But I have met sentient nanorobots, if that's what you mean.

Ordis dislikes the term 'sentient', but can understand the need to use it in this context. But it is an interesting concept. Did these nanobots display unique personality.

They developed a collective intelligence, so personality means something a little different in that situation, I'd think. And to be honest, I did not have the chance to get to know them very well, as they were primarily focused on their survival.

And I'm sorry! Is there another term you would prefer?

[Language is important and she's perfectly willing to adjust hers if need be.]

Survival is a key focus for many; it does come to a sad point that unfortunately such over times there is little that can be done to create these interpersonal connections.

[That...isn't a question he's used to being asked, and it throws him for a moment or two. When he does recover, it's with brows furrowed in thought and a small hum.]

Ordis does not believe there is a more fitting term in your language? The term 'sentient' is far different in Ordis' world, and Ordis acknowledges such. It does not need to be unused, but it provokes a sense of...unease.

Sapient, perhaps? Either way, I'll try to limit my use of the word for you.

Sapient may bring to mind organic-centric thought though. Hm...this is a puzzle. Ordis loves puzzles.

[She nods thoughtfully.] It will take some consideration, but I'm happy to accommodate. I'm afraid cybernetics is still a relatively niche realm of study in my world and there are not many AIs, so the terminology is not as nuanced and exact as it no doubt ought to be.

Ordis is saddened to hear that. [And for once he's not being sarcastic about that at all.] There is much that can be given to society at large when organics cease to think of themselves and themselves only.

It's a mistake I'm rather afraid we make often. People are only just beginning to accept individual AI like my friend Data as people. It will... probably be a while yet before any sort of large scale societal shift happens.

[She sighs.]

But we are making progress.

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