Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Latest By
Category:
Armor
Artificial
Intelligence
Biology
Clothing
Communication
Computers
Culture
Data Storage
Displays
Engineering
Entertainment
Food
Input Devices
Lifestyle
Living Space
Manufacturing
Material
Media
Medical
Miscellaneous
Robotics
Security
Space Tech
Spacecraft
Surveillance
Transportation
Travel
Vehicle
Virtual
Person
Warfare
Weapon
Work
"Does it open a new horizon for my thinking? Does it lead me to think new kinds of thoughts, that I would not otherwise perhaps have thought at all? These qualities are what [make] science fiction ...unique."
- Frederik Pohl
 |
| Personality Simulator | ||
| A device which, when fed enough data about a person, simulated their personality allowing the user to predict behavior in stated circumstances. |
A remarkable idea, one which you see to some extent in some of the Sim products. However, these were simulations for a purpose. Have you ever thought of scheming your way to the top cubicle in your office? These programs are for you.
| He entered a larger space full of projection-room gloom with shadowed figures seated facing a holographic focus on his left. McKie identified Jedrik by her profile, slipped into a seat beside her. McKie recognized the subtle slippage of computer simulation. That was not a flesh-and-blood Broey in the focus. "Why simulation?" "He's beginning to do things I didn't anticipate." Jedrik was reworking the simulation model of Broey which she carried in her head. McKie saw that every seat in the room had an arm keyed to the simulations. The figures at the focus were being adjusted to the combined memories [of those present]. |
| Technovelgy from The Dosadi Experiment,
by Frank Herbert. Published by Berkley Putnam in 1977 Additional resources -
|
These devices were in common use throughout the civilized universe - or Consentiency, as Herbert puts it in this novel. Employing sound, graphics and basic rules, these simulations were used to help visualize the effect of plans before they were put into action.
In this excerpt, Ceylang (a Wreave), uses the simulator to try to guess Jorj X. McKie's next move.
Ceylang tried ... a prisoner simulation where five Gowachin tried to confuse McKie by presenting a scenario in which Broey massed his forces at the corridor.
Simulator-McKie asked the prisoners why they lied.
Aritch operated the controls at the observer station. "This might help. This is a record of McKie in recent action on Dosadi."
The simulator presented a view down a covered passage through a building. Artificial light... McKie, two blocky guards in tow, approached the viewers...
Compare to the Electronic Analogue of Living Brain from The Tunnel Under The World (1955) by Frederik Pohl and the construct from Neuromancer (1984) by William Gibson.
For almost an hour after the morning meal, Arich observed Ceylang as she worked with the McKie simulation...
Comment/Join this discussion ( 0 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This |
Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from The Dosadi Experiment
More Ideas
and Technology by Frank Herbert
Tech news articles related to The Dosadi Experiment
Tech news articles related to works by Frank Herbert
Personality Simulator-related
news articles:
- World of Warcraft School of Business
- Military To Create Human, Social And Cultural Simulations
- Training Videogames Bought By Defense Intelligence Agency
- Meetings To Be Recorded And Scored For Body Language
- UrbanSim Counterinsurgency Training App
| ElectionSim: China's 'Ender's Game' Battle Sim, Or Lem's 'Kingdom In A Box'? |
| Muxcard Redditor's DIY Credit Card-Sized Computer |
| Cortex 1 - Today A Warehouse, Tomorrow A Calculator Planet |
| Is Agentic AI The Wrong Kind Of Smartness? |
Want to Contribute an
Item?
It's easy:
Get the name of the item, a
quote, the book's name and the author's name, and Add
it here.
| <Previous | Next> |
|
|
|
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Science Fiction Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
|
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
'Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilization.'
'...the spreading beam of the deranging ray struck them, and Then one toppled and fell. Then another.'
'Within seconds the material was spread out over fifty yards, in a matter of hours it might occupy several cubic miles of space...'
'The men are dead, but their acquired wisdom lives on and I am the beneficiary.'
'Young people found the driverless car admirable for petting.'
'After twenty generations of shillyshallying...'
