Virtual Adept Paradigm
By Paul Beakley ADPYB@ACVAX.INRE.ASU.EDU
The Paradigm
The Program: the rules of the game are written, debugged and
maintained by the Sleepers via some as yet not understood
semi-autonomous process. The Technocracy is making low-level Program
changes so their hacks don't cause system crashes.
Magick
Hacking -- if everything is coded somewhere, then temporary changes
can be hacked into the Program (i.e. the Paradigm). Permanent changes to
the Program must be Reprogrammed.
Spheres
All aspects of the Program are handled by imbedded Modules.
- Correspondence: Positioning -- all Objects have a Position within
the graphic user interface (the GUI) of the Program. Thus, it possible to
hack the program to do a "grid search" or to change your position.
- Mind: Software -- when dealing with the processing of Information.
Hardware -- when enhancing the performance of the VA's mind (upgrading)
or altering the performance of others'. I/O -- when affecting or enhancing the
senses.
- Prime: Programming/Reprogramming -- temporary changes are
easy to hack, but machine-level programming makes the changes
permanent.
- Time: Cycle Speed/Clock -- the Program's Cycle Speed can be
altered if you know the right hacks to affect that module. The area of effect
may be limited to individual Icons as well.
- Entropy: Chaos -- everything is organized according to orders of
Chaos. Even elegantly clean programs and hacks have an element of
Chaos; where there is absolute order, the Program seems to introduce
Chaos on its own. It is believed this is part of the Program's self-diagnosis
algorith (see Paradox).
- Spirit: Intelligence -- this is the Module covering artificial
intelligence, self-perpetuating viruses, search daemons and anything else
that has a self-animating force.
- Pattern Magick: Icons -- Objects, Wetware and Electricity are all
objects, and each are handled by a different Module.
- Forces: Electricity -- this is ultimately at the core of all forces as
perceived by VAs. Lasers are powered by electricity. Machines use
electricity. Een Wetware seems to use electricity. Any force that can't be
perceived as electrical cannot be perceived by a VA.
- Matter: Objects -- everything solid is an Object in the Program.
Objects are programmed to interact with other Icons in a consistent manner.
- Life: Wetware, Biotech -- messy stuff, but it provides the icons
through which Intelligence works with the Software.
Arete
Eliteness -- how well the Program is understood, and how well the VA
can alter the Program. How you separate the posers from the real netheads.
Quintessence
Output -- the final result of a hack or a reprogramming. Output is a
somewhat mystical concept, and many VAs believe they can improve their
output through smart drugs, intense study or experiences.
Paradox
Errors -- VAs accumulate "errors" in their icons if they make deep
changes in the Program, or if they screw up a quick hack. Too many errors
cause areas of the Program to crash. However, the Program has many
levels of self-diagnosis, and will attempt to put the interface back online
without disrupting other users. VAs that cause too many system crashes are
eventually Debugged (e.g. paradox backlash).
Mage-specific Backgrounds
- Arcane -- Transparency. Some Icons are more transparent to other
users than others.
- Avatar -- Productivity. Each VA is destined to a certain amount of
output in their lives. Some will output a lot more than others.
- Destiny -- Focus. VA's with intense focus can work miracles and
never stray from their path. Those with too much focus are usually a drag to
be around because they're so intense.
- Dream -- Data Retrieval. If all human knowledge is available
somewhere in the Web, then it can be retrieved. Some talented VAs have
actually learned how to unconsciously tap into the Web's resources and
extract this data. This process is not well understood, and cannot be
artifically created without serious Intelligence programming.
- Node -- Inspiration. With inspiration, output can be increased and
larger hacks to the Program can be achieved. This inspiration is drawn from
a location within which the VA experiences enhanced levels of output.
Paul Beakley
adpyb@acvax.inre.asu.edu