Official: Next Tech after Advanced Ecological Engineering

AdamTG02 · February 6, 2003, 14:18

What should our next technology to research be? You have two votes and two days.

Neural Grafting is a line of research prompted by the relentless drive toward efficiency which swept our faction with the discovery of Industrial Automation. This technology would use our understanding of the Secrets of the Human Brain to implant computers in the human brain itself. Our electronic engineers and neurobiologists believe that a linkage of the human mind to a computer, allowing the processing power of a machine to be wedded to the creativity of a human mind, is possible. If so, this would radically increased computational speed, reaction time, and sensory awareness for those citizens who elected to take part in such a procedure. The boon to our military preparedness would be such that we would be able to train troops with two special abilities. Our technologists also look forward to a true Mind/Machine Interface linking human thoughts with any computerized device, such as a Gatling Rover, and Biomachinery that would assist human metabolism at the cellular level.

Superstring Theory attempts to explain the fundamental forces of the universe by exploring the initially counterintuitive idea that fundamental particles, such as quarks and electrons, are not single points but five- or seven-dimensional "strings." While this idea was theorized as early as the late 20th century, it was only with the development of Nonlinear Mathematics that this theory could be modeled and tested. The increased scientific debate following our discovery of Cyberethics provided the stimulus. Understanding the properties of strings is expected to bring new understanding of fundamental forces such as electromagnetism, allowing the prototyping of a Chaos Gun based on the new physics. This understanding might also lead to a way to industrially manufacture Monopole Magnets -- currently theoretical particles which are believed to have a single-directional magnetic charge.

Planetary Economics would be a cohesive theory aimed at explaining all aspects of economic behavior. Influenced by Intellectual Integrity, several of our economists believe that focusing on individual sectors of the economy, such as through Environmental Economics, is unnecessary and gives a clouded picture of the whole. These economists are working to build a comprehensive theory that brings together all the disparate strands of economic thought. Many industrialists hape that this would revolutionize financial planning by allowing companies to make buisness plans based on the whole economy, not any of its parts. The increased trade brought by integrating economic sectors is expected to boost our Commerce; this benefit could be maximized by a decision by the Planetary Council to lower trade barriers -- a Global Trade Pact. Our Empaths believe that the increased wealth could actually bring, not decadence, but a renewed focus on matters of spirit and asceticism -- if we as a faction made a pronounced effort to develop these Ascetic Virtues. Finally, the expansion of Environmental Economics is expected to allow for an improved Tree Farm -- a Hybrid Forest incorporating Centauri DNA, expected to be extremely productive in Planet's environment. In the distant future, scientists forecast even greater benefits of wealth from this technology -- such as a system of Quantum Power, or a full understanding of Sentient Econometrics.

Applied Relativity would update Einstein's theories of based on our understanding of Advanced Subatomic Theory, as well as data gleaned from our use of Superconductors. The stimulus this discovery would bring to our understanding of physics is expected to allow the construction of a Supercollider where these theories could be tested and refined. Understanding the fundamental forces of the universe would place us well on the way to constructing a Unified Field Theory quantifying and explaining those forces. New ideas on the nature and makeup of light might furthermore point the way to a theory of Photon/Wave Mechanics.

Silksteel Alloys are a new compound developed with techniques based on Advanced Subatomic Theory, intended to fulfill the demand for durable materials from factories employing Industrial Automation. These substances mimic the fibers of a spiderweb to attain tensile strength greater than any substance yet known. Even aside from the industrial applications, our generals believe that these metal fibers could be woven into a Silksteel Armor of great resilience. The refined industrial techniques involved in this research might be invaluable for developing Monopole Magnets; furthermore, the use of these compunds on a molecular level could provide tools for unraveling Photon/Wave Mechanics.

Organic Superlubricants are lubricants which act like simple life forms, naturally responidng to stimuli and "learning" the best places to apply themselves. These substances, refined from Synthetic Fossil Fuels, are much in demand among engineers working to implement Fusion Power. Our military also hopes to apply this technology as a coolant in an experimental device referred to as a Fusion Laser. The increased efficiency which these lubricants would bring is expected to be invaluable in the development of Nanominiaturization techniques; it also might allow the infrastructure necessary for Advanced Spaceflight.

Orbital Spaceflight would allow us to launch missions into planetary orbit, the first step toward mankind's return to the stars. Our Aerospace Complexes would be able to launch Sky Hydroponics Labs to grow food for the entire faction in the deeps of space. On the military front, the same infrastructure that supports spaceflight would allow the creation of Missiles, carrying either Conventional Payloads or the "ultimate weapon of last resort" -- an enormous thermonuclear "Planet Buster." Our engineers also hope to develop techniques of Advanced Spaceflight, allowing our return to the interplanetary void.

Method · February 6, 2003, 17:47

planetary economics for sure. then i voted organic superlube, not seeing obital spaceflight...

Kirov · February 6, 2003, 17:53

Planetary Economics

Applied Relativity (for Supercollider)

Maniac · February 6, 2003, 18:26

Neural Grafting and write-in: anything that gets us as fast as possible to Bio-engineering.

Cedayon · February 6, 2003, 18:33

Some tempting ones in there, but I went NG again 'cause we need to get to clean reactors asap.

Hercules · February 7, 2003, 00:07

Excellent discourse on the techs again ADAMTGO2.

I feel I have to go Neural Grafting and then Orbital Spaceflight

GeneralTacticus · February 7, 2003, 02:06

Voted PE, NG and Orbital Spaceflight. They're all too good to pass up, really. Maybe we can get one out of the AA we found in the fungus up north.

Jamski · February 7, 2003, 04:18

This is the best stage of the game - all these tasty techs. It has to be Orbital Spaceflight first though.

-Jam

Cedayon · February 7, 2003, 09:31

OS would be quite nice... get a few bases pumping those hydro labs and all our bases will get a pretty significant nut bonus (particularly the ones with ACs) ... it's limited by base population, but that's ok if we're talking about nuts.

Can't wait till we get to orbital energy and mining

But we still need clean reactors!

Aaron Blackwell · February 7, 2003, 18:53

Voted Planetary Economics, this tech simply grants too many direct advantages to not research it ASAP

TREE FARMS would be incredibely helpfull at this stage of the game, as I think our faction can afford to build them in a reasonable time. The Eco/Psych that they provide coupled with their ecologic bonuses should please both those that grow fat and complacent with their money and those who like to dance naked in the tree ......... euh ..... I meant ..... both those who support Free Market and those who support Green.

Voted Superstring theory as second choice, because, as GT mentioned in a previous thread, we have access to it and , so, we should waste no time researching Chaos gun right now

Fusion Gun should help us kick some Hive ass !

Voltaire · February 7, 2003, 19:08

Planetary Economics all the way!

Cedayon · February 7, 2003, 21:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Blackwell Voted Planetary Economics, this tech simply grants too many direct advantages to not research it ASAP

TREE FARMS would be incredibely helpfull at this stage of the game, as I think our faction can afford to build them in a reasonable time.

PE is definately a great tech, but it gives Hybrid Forests, not Tree farms

... we already have, and have built several, tree farms

GeneralTacticus · February 7, 2003, 21:17

Well, it seems to be a tie between PE and OS - either is fine by me, although I'd prefer to get PE first so we can start on the Ascetic Virtues (plus, extra commcerce is always great

)

Cedayon · February 7, 2003, 21:29

Ah, right, Morgan's steaming towards the AV, and we need to get PE to start our own... is stealing PE from Morgan out of the question?

GeneralTacticus · February 7, 2003, 21:32

Not entirely, but I'd rather that it not be necessary. Even if we try to frame Yang for it, there's a chance that we'll get found out, and Morgan won't be at all happy (although, IIRC, Pact Brothers tend to be rather more tolerant of you stealing tech than others - can anyone confirm this?)

Cedayon · February 7, 2003, 21:41

Normally I'd find such an act distasteful, but since the game is being obnoxious and disallowing us even envoy-based dipolomacy... (I tested a scenario under sunspots, and couldn't get diplo contact even moving through a pactmate's territory and next to units/bases)

GeneralTacticus · February 7, 2003, 21:44

Yeah, besides, it's not as if us getting PE is a threat to Morgan, after all, so he's violating Freedom of Information. If we feel really guilty, we could always gift him a tech once the sunspots have cleared up.

AdamTG02 · February 8, 2003, 17:15

Given that there's a three-way tie, it's my prerogative as Director to resolve it. I'm ordering that our first-choice tech will be Orbital Spaceflight, given that getting some skyfarms up would radically help grow our smaller, newer bases. Second choice is Planetary Economics, because the increased Commerce will allow us to attain the later techs faster. Since this election was so close, I will be posting a third choice (Neural Grafting) in the Orders thread.