tushanshu | second lighthouse; VIDEO

I've been thinking and writing some things down, and something I've wanted to ask...

What would you consider very... mm, 'defining' I suppose is the word I'm looking for? Something that you feel your reality wouldn't be the same without. Don't worry, I'll go first.

[ She flashes a knowing smile at that. ]

Certainly, there are certainly many historical events that shaped the world, but if I had to pick one that's affective to Columbia in my era would be the discovery a few decades ago of the Lutece Particle, which in turn is used to make a Lutuce Field. Another term for it is called 'quantum levitation', and it suspends atoms in mid-air by a controllable field, allowing things to be manipulated within the sphere of gravity, and to impart those effects onto other objects.

[ Someone's read The Principles of Quantum Mechanics a few too many times... ]

And that's how Columbia is an airborne city. So, I think things in my reality would be very different if that hadn't been discovered!

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[The fact that she was willing to entertain the notion, and even remain open to the discussion...it almost didn't matter how their conversation went from here. Aya was already smiling in enjoyment.]

Assuming the number of realities could span from an infinite moments in time, with changes ranging from the dramatic to the miniscule...I am inclined to agree.

So that's what I'm asking, what kind of things would you consider touchstones?

[Further verification established, Aya took a moment to process her past memories before coming up with a response.]

...the creation of my predecessors.

[Without a doubt. So much of what was happening in her own time was a direct result of the Guardians of Oa creating the Manhunters, and the subsequent destruction they'd caused.]

[ What an unusual phrasing... ]

You mean, your parents?

[She shook her head. While Aya was well aware of the fact that she often substituted terms that would be more familiar to some...in this case, she meant what she said.]

I have no knowledge of any parents, nor the precise circumstances surrounding my birth.

I am referring to my predecessors, the Manhunters. The Artificial Intelligences created before me.

... I'm sorry, I'm not following. What Artificial Intelligences?

[Assuming the question meant she had no experiences with AI at all, Aya took a mental step back in order to adequately explain the necessary facts in order to continue such a conversation.]

Artificial Intelligences are advanced technology capable of acting and reacting independently based on sensory receptors similar, if not identical, to those of living beings. [A pause, wondering if that was simple enough, before adding:] ...however, in my case, I am also organic. Alive. The process which led to my creation was different than the Manhunter machines, although I am certain I would not exist if the attempts on them had not been made first.

[Nor would several circumstances and events have occured if they had not been made.]

[ Well that sounds... alarmingly familiar. ]

Would an artificial intelligence need to look... like a person, to be considered such?

...please define 'person'.

[Because her subsequent answer would rely on whether or not 'person' was meant to refer exclusively to humans, or if other species were included in that list.]

Oh, um... you know, person-shaped.

[ She gestures a little, as if trying to indicate the whole two arms two legs etc part. ]

[That...did not help much in the way of description, so Aya continued to ponder over the question for a moment longer before eventually shaking her person-shaped head.]

Not necessarily.

I was given the title of Artificial Intelligence long before I constructed a physical form for myself.

[ Elizabeth realizes that she's probably confusing Aya... ]

It's just that, there's something... someone at home, who is sort of how you describe. He's-- mechanical, but he's not a machine. Does that make sense?

[Only a little. However, once she began elaborating by referencing a certain individual, albeit in a vague matter, Aya was at least beginning to understand her reason for asking.]

Are you asking if I would refer to him as an Arteficial Intelligence as well?

I... suppose I am, yes.

It would be difficult for me to offer an accurate assessment without personal interaction...but from your vague description, I do not see any reason I would not.

If his existence was artificially created, and he is capable of learning and growing based on ongoing experiences and examples, then Artificial Intelligence would be correct.

[ Elizabeth isn't sure whether that makes Songbird being her jailer better, or somehow worse. ]

Well, for what it's worth, I don't think you're the same... sort.

[Not privy to her thoughts of the specific individual she thought of, Aya offered a polite smile before shaking her head lightly.]

It would not cause offense if you did.

Through various conversations, I have discovered I much would prefer being considered intelligent, albeit artificially, than dismissed as a mere computer. It is, of course, ideal that one view me as the living organic organism I truly am...but it is difficult to blame someone for not immediately knowing what I, myself, did not learn until after my arrival in Keelai.

second lighthouse; VIDEO

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