From:	dbuehrer@******.carl.org dbuehrer@******.carl.org
Subject:	The start of holographic neural nets?
Date:	Fri, 23 Jun 2000 10:57:56 -0600

Tzeentch wrote:
>From: <dbuehrer@******.carl.org>
> > If SR computers used neural circuitry by 2029, that might go a long way
> > toward explaining how the Crash of 29 managed to wipe out so much
>information.
>
>Not really, as it still does not explain how it corrupted backups of data or
>even why it had biofeedback capabilities (or why Echo Mirage was incapable
>of using non-ASIST interfaces).

I'll get to that :)

> Simply put the Crash Virus makes almost no
>sense in any way.

It makes sense if people didn't have backups. Or at least not backups of
data in the conventional sense. Everyone pretty much agrees that if they
had backups then the Crash couldn't have happened. But it did. So, people
must not have had offline backups.

Okay, so say computers technology utilizes neural nets. As with the human
brain, data is stored in the net in a data/analog format. It isn't just
simple 0s and 1s. Let's say the storage space on a neural computer is
*huge*. And let's say the nature of the memory means that the size of the
external storage is beyond *huge* (i.e., very, very expensive).

Enough computer "experts" claim that neural computers are safe and stable,
that they are hacker proof, and that computer data doesn't really have to
be backed up, that people buy it. Those that do make back ups do so by
backing up their data on a second computer. Most of these users fail to
isolate the backup computer from the primary computer (i.e., people are
stupid). Only a very few paranoid users (military, intelligence, MIB, the
insane) made isolated backups of their data.

In my version a combination of technology and culture combined to create
the environment that made the Crash of 29 possible. Enter the Virus of 29.

Because the Virus could take down neural computers, it wasn't a big leap
for it to create biofeedback in human brains. Because it was a fully
neural virus, assist technology was needed to give the anti-virus team the
resources to defeat it.

>When I was trying to rationalize the Crash Virus (without using the goofy
>novel explanation)

Haven't read the book yet, not really interested.

> I borrowed a page from Stone Dogs and had it be an
>insidious mutating virus that waited for years and years writing itself into
>everything it could find including compilers. That way it was written into
>even firmware for backup systems and protected systems. When it hit and
>people went to restore backups it also fried a lot of those, erasing tape,
>corrupting file systems and generally being a pain in the ass until people
>could find REALLY old uncorrupted systems. But even then that does not
>entirely explain matters.

That's another possibility. But the virus would have had to have been
around a *long* time.

>Interesting idea, but I don't think it's an entirely adequate explanation
>(of course, since its pure fantasy you can't explain it).

I wasn't sure if it was an entirely adequate explanation, thus the reason
for posting it on ShadowRN for critical feedback :)

And just because something is fantasy, doesn't mean it can't be explained...


To Life,
-Graht
http://www.users.uswest.net/~abaker3
--
"All things are at all times, in motion. Take the time to watch the dance."
-John Caeser Leafston