compnetwork | Video; pretend it wasn't posted in the dead of night

[This file registers as a regular video, but upon activation it displays significantly differently than a normal video - instead of showing a person in a specific place, it projects a translucent, 2D image of a girl on the COMP glasses' display. In the corner of the HUD, you might notice a new little button has appeared:

Even if you were to stop watching this video right now, the button would persist. It's a new, permanent feature of the COMP: it appears on the screen of the watch, as well.]

Let's see... good, I have all the settings done correctly this time. My word, this system works differently than anything else I've ever seen.

[Instead of an actual voice, her words appear inside of a text box beside her.]

Greetings, Guests of Hinoto-Ri! My name is *Hyun-ae - don't pronounce the star, it's simply to show my status as an AI. I was recently installed as a new, 25/7 administrator of the network: simply put, I'm here to monitor things and make sure it all keeps running smoothly.

You might notice a new addition to the COMP - [At this point, she gestures to the new button.] I've created that as a means to facilitate communication. If you have any questions for me, or really need any help at all... well, here's an example. Let's say you're lost and need a specific map? I can find it for you in an instant! Just ask! Additionally, if I need to speak to you, I'll do it through that button. It'll flash blue when I'm trying to get your attention, so please don't ignore it for too long.

...Well. I believe that's everything I can think of to say.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

_{[That's person number three who didn't know! That's okay, because her now-canned response has been working pretty well.]}

Of course!

"AI" is an abbreviation for "Artificial Intelligence" - it means that I was created, rather than born, and that I live in machines instead of an organic body. Simple as that.

How fascinating... how complete is your electronic existence? Do you require sustenance in the form of electricity, for example?

_{[oh boy did you just say "ramble about how much she likes being a computer compared to being alive"

because it sure sounded like you did]}

Essentially, yes - but unlike a living organism, if I'm cut off from that source, all I need to do is have the flow restored and I'll be good as new. However... data can be deleted unless it's properly protected. My core is hosted in quite a few places, so I'm safe from that... but someone with less precautions could be in trouble.

...In my honest opinion, existing in a single body like humans and robots do... it seems so fragile to me. It's kind of sad.

[HE SURE DID HE WANTS TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT]

So you're effectively immortal unless someone manages to delete your data cores... and you have access to the entire network, and can access all of the information there to talk to anyone who needs it?

That's quite astounding.

_{[tl;dr: god, being a computer is awesome and not being a computer sucks!!1

in closing, *Hyun-ae is the best person to talk to for making a case about how much transhumanism rocks]}

And deleting those cores is no mean feat! Of course I'll fight back if someone threatens my life.

It's a nice deal, isn't it? Really, it's the least I can do to try and help all of you out.

[if you were not a digital projection he may be in love

as it is he'll just be super fascinated instead]

What do you do to pass the time when you aren't assisting others?

I read old messages a lot. My original intention was to be an archivist program, so it's my go-to hobby. I've already skimmed everything on this network, but I'm going to take my later reads a lot slower. Savor it, you know?

...Before I was put on this network, that's all I had to do - so I learned to make it stretch.

_{[Ah, but that's the true danger - it's the boredom that gets you, if you're unfortunate enough to get cut off. Boredom so endless that it can even bring someone to stop thinking at all.]}

But now that I'm an admin, I'm getting new input all the time... I guess the concise answer is "I observe." ...and there's system maintenance, but that's a given.

_{[AND THEN THERE'S COSPLAY~*~]}

I'm always interested in exchanges of information... if you do find yourself bored or desiring something to do, I'm quite open to discussing anything you may find of interest. I have little memory of things that came before so I've been spending my time reading at the library, but having someone to speak to about things would be quite pleasant.

_{[The willing offer of a regular conversational partner? Hell-o there new pal, guess who's gonna snap up that offer like--]}

Are you kidding?! That would be great!

_{[--like woah.]}

Really?

[That's almost startling. No one has ever been that excited to speak with him. WHAT IS THIS MADNESS]

Really. Up until now, I didn't get the opportunity much to talk to ~~anyone at all -~~ _{[That struck-out text is there less than a second, quickly amending itself:]} people when it's not just a professional thing.

That's strange. If you're just like a living creature, then you need mental stimulation just as much as anyone else. It only seems proper...

Exactly! But I suppose that's not as obvious to some people as it would be to you or I... To be honest, it was all quite exasperating.

Well, I would be quite pleased to speak with you, Miss Hyun-ae.

Then it's settled. I guess the main question remains is... well, what all do you find interesting? I can make a sorting algorithm for it, easy. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I could ramble on about anything right now... For instance, the recent cloud patterns above Hinoto-ri have been both plentiful and complex. When you speed up the video of it, it's almost hypnotic...

Really? Can you share the video?

[He's pretty content to talk about whatever since hey, learning is fun]

One second. Here you are:

_{[User *Hyun-ae sends file feb09_clouds.avi!]}

I think this has been my favorite all week... but it's a close tie with yesterday, at dusk.

That's amazing... seeing the clouds move like that. Even when you see them move normally, it's never anything like that...

Time-lapse is fun like that! If they were ever actually moving that quickly, I'm sure we'd be in for a spot of trouble. The wind speed alone would have to be ridiculous... hm. I suppose it could be possible with wind magic.

_{[After all, this is Hinoto-Ri - where competitive battles of Jungian representations of the mind's different facets are one of the most popular forms of entertainment. She wouldn't be surprised if someone eventually ends up using their awesome arcane powers to make a cloud swirl faster.]}

Magic... as an artificial intelligence, can you perform magic?

I don't believe that I can. There wasn't anything like it in the world I came from, and I wasn't given a Persona coming to this one. Though to be fair, I haven't tried to yet!

I know that magic has been married to technology before, though. After all, COMPs aren't just pure machinery alone.

You're technically a program... you could be programmed with something mimicking magic, perhaps...

Video; pretend it wasn't posted in the dead of night

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and then strings learned to regret installing an emotionally needy AI

everyone is doomed

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