A dragon explores space, finds Amenta.
+ Show First Post
Total: 4982
Posts Per Page:
Permalink

"I wonder if any of them will wind up attending blue school like Wire is attending green school."

Permalink

I personally doubt it, just as I doubt one would attend an orange or purple or yellow or grey school. The things where you are obviously better than us and that we most want to adapt something from are largely green.

Permalink

"Hm, if you think so."

Permalink

Well, maybe a yellow school. Programming sounds powerful.

Permalink

"It is! It's driven much of our development of the last thirty-some-odd years."

Permalink

I've tried to explain the concept to others but it's very much outside most Draak's concept-space! ...Should I leave you be now, or is this conversation interesting?

Permalink

"This is interesting!" she assures him. "I think it takes some adjustment for us too, and it was rumored to have been a lot more when computers were new and people weren't introduced to them from a functional background on what they could accomplish."

Permalink

But when I try to explain it - I have been making gadgets for over a century, I have actually made primitive computers simply out of my own imagination. Think... Calculators and thermostats. But even that's rare. For many Draak, the closest available metaphor is training animals, or perhaps something with sluice gates and clever things with water flow and interlocking gears or something.

Permalink

"I'm sure with more exposure to the ranges of things we can do with them, and especially to writing, more Draak will pick it up in time."

Permalink

I believe our minds comprehend things in different ways on a deep level. I think we have better senses of complex interactions. I spoke to a green about electrical engineering yesterday and she would do some math or use an app to calculate some circuitry properties, but I simply knew what they would be without having to take that step. It's not that I didn't do any calculation - it's that I leapt straight into and through the calculation without pausing to think about it, much like how you can unlock your pocket everything and select a notification without pausing to think about it. You have 'muscle memory', which extends to tool use such as driving or writing or using pocket everythings, yes? Draak do not memorize complex procedures like that to the point of not even having to think about it. Or we do it less easily, at least.

Permalink

"That's interesting. Some people do develop calculative skills to that level with enough practice, but it's rare and relying on tools is more comfortable, considered more reliable."

Permalink

She gives an uncertain tail-wave. Oh, that makes me anxious! 'The only thing that cannot be taken by foe or accident or calamity or the march of time, is yourself.' A common saying, as far as we have them.

Permalink

"Oh, sure. We do live shorter lifespans than Draak do, though. So perhaps there's fewer calamities and less time to prepare for."

Permalink

The fact that you have such little time, comparatively, seems a terrible pity to me...

Permalink

"We'd need more space before addressing that would be a remotely defensible priority."

Permalink

Or the ability to choose weaker springs, or both?

Permalink

"I don't think many would want such weak springs as to prefer to have a below-replacement number of children."

Permalink

...Hmm. I shouldn't talk about this, I probably have nothing new to contribute on the matter.

Permalink

"All right. You're more of a gadgets person?"

Permalink

I could talk about it but I'm thinking about not offending, now. Yes, as much as I am defined by one line of work or hobby, I am a gadgets person. Heating and cooling systems especially.

Permalink

"What got you interested in those?"

Permalink

I'm not actually sure! It was so very long ago, you see. I've had cold and hot stones and cold and hot baths in my home as a luxury for as long as I can remember, and occasionally I repair or improve them, that may be it.

Permalink

"Are the stones magic, or no?"

Permalink

Assuming you mean 'magic' as Music that defies the ordinary physical world (there's fuzzy edges to these things sometimes)... Not ongoingly. They're acting according to ordinary physical laws most of the time, but they're predisposed to being hurried along by magic if they're not at the right temperature at the moment.

Permalink

"Ooh, I don't think I'd heard about - primed objects before."

Total: 4982
Posts Per Page: