The computer in Daven Laure's spaceship, Jaccavrie, is definitely stated to be conscious. Laure does not anthropomorphize her but does think of her as a friend. He also does not anthropomorphize:
"...those nonhuman sophonts he encountered." (p. 714)
- another rare reminder that other intelligent species are still around in this latter part of the Technic History.
Some other Rangers:
"...think of their ships as elaborate tools." (ibid.)
This language is becoming ambiguous. Presumably these other Rangers do understand that their ships' computers are conscious and therefore are something more than mere tools, however elaborate. And they do not abuse or misuse these conscious entities in any way, if that is even possible. But nor do they enter into any kind of personal relationship or friendship with them. They simply take it for granted that the computers will do their jobs while they do theirs.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think we do see some anthropomophizing of his ship's conscious level computer by Daven Laure in "Starfog." Esp. this bit, from page 170 of THE NIGHT FACE AND OTHER STORIES (Gregg Press, April 1978): "Lauren had a brief, irrational vision of 'Jaccavrie' nodding. Her tone was so thoughtful. She would be a big, calm, dark-haired woman, handsome in middle age though getting somewhat plmp..."
Ad astra! Sean
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