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AI Update Thread

Started by Debi · Sep 8, 2026 2:00 PM

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Years ago, I read the entire Darkover series by Marian Zimmer Bradley. It tells a tale of a lost colony of humans in space who advance so much they manage to wipe out most of society with their weapons. The aftermath was the adoption of "The Compact". I think they had something with this.


The Law of Weapons—most formally known as The Compact—is one of the most vital world-building mechanics in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover series. Promulgated by the legendary historical figure Varzil the Good during the Century of Hammerfell (at the tail end of the Ages of Chaos), it serves as a strict societal, ethical, and legal mandate governing warfare. [1, 2]


The Core Mandate
The fundamental rule of the Compact is absolute: A man may only use a weapon that puts him in equal physical danger to his opponent. [1]
If you wish to take another person's life, you must look them in the eye and be close enough that they have an equal chance to kill you. [1]


Because conflict could not be entirely erased from Darkovan society, the Compact codified permissible warfare into highly regulated, personal combat. Allowed weapons include:

    • Swords and Knives: Close-quarters melee weapons where personal skill, physical strength, and immediate risk are perfectly balanced.

    • The Dueling Code: Disputes between nobility are settled through tightly structured, face-to-face duels under the supervision of a master of arms. [1]

    ______

  • Honestly, between the AI being put in charge of weapons, and robots with guns, we've lost touch with who we are.

Debi said:

Years ago, I read the entire Darkover series by Marian Zimmer Bradley. It tells a tale of a lost colony of humans in space who advance so much they manage to wipe out most of society with their weapons. The aftermath was the adoption of "The Compact". I think they had something with this.


The Law of Weapons—most formally known as The Compact—is one of the most vital world-building mechanics in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover series. Promulgated by the legendary historical figure Varzil the Good during the Century of Hammerfell (at the tail end of the Ages of Chaos), it serves as a strict societal, ethical, and legal mandate governing warfare. [1, 2]


The Core Mandate
The fundamental rule of the Compact is absolute: A man may only use a weapon that puts him in equal physical danger to his opponent. [1]
If you wish to take another person's life, you must look them in the eye and be close enough that they have an equal chance to kill you. [1]


Because conflict could not be entirely erased from Darkovan society, the Compact codified permissible warfare into highly regulated, personal combat. Allowed weapons include:

    • Swords and Knives: Close-quarters melee weapons where personal skill, physical strength, and immediate risk are perfectly balanced.

    • The Dueling Code: Disputes between nobility are settled through tightly structured, face-to-face duels under the supervision of a master of arms. [1]

    ______

  • Honestly, between the AI being put in charge of weapons, and robots with guns, we've lost touch with who we are.

This is close to how Vikings treated war/personal disputes ;)

RAGNAR said:

HA, I had that idea a couple of months ago for a story. AI taken from a downed alien ship.... i think i even posted the idea somewhere on here.....lol..... im surprised its taken anyone this long to bring the idea in the mix of alien tech.. its not a new idea or far jump. started back in the 60's with star trek and the ships "computer" they often talked to verbally and it answered.....lol


found it...lol...... Navy Admiral says "higher order non-human intelligence" is out there

Debi said:

I got two new stories on this today:


https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-agent-deleting-tv-show-season


https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/10/15/scientists-are-finding-ai-may-make-us-remember-things-that-never-happened/


And, I agree it's based on alien tech. Just my opinion.

No way! It's based on really simple known human programming hooked up to lots and lots of processing power. That and a lot of hype to keep the investors coughing up the cash to stop the bubble bursting...

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Debi said:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general/huge-ai-company-is-bankrupt-and-experts-worry-what-happens-next/ar-AA2ejFnp?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6ad189ab13954eb99467e0c2f9583133&ei=21

Huge AI company is bankrupt – and experts worry what happens next

every AI developer/company is so far in debt it will take many generations to show a profit, or even break even. the biggest security issue is when one goes under it sales off to the highest bidder. and as AI gets better, faster, smarter... this will be the equivalent to selling nukes on the black market........ severe regulations need to be put in place.

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845747093_122237689412109481_8187860655966199533_n.jpg855340564_1862387795107935_8810519128755119671_n.jpg

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