001; video

[idealisme]

[Enjolras sits at attention, back straight at possible, in front of the computer. He has the look of someone who hasn't been sleeping well, but his eyes are bright and attentive all the same. In the background his two friends are visible.]

My name in Enjolras. I was a French Citizen, killed on the morning of June the 6th, 1832 while taking part in a revolution to overthrow the corrupt July Monarchy. It is after this that I found myself here two days ago. You may already have met my friends Combeferre and Prouvaire. I wish to thank those of you I have already met, and who have offered my companions and I aid.

[He nods his head in quick thanks. There is clearly something else on his mind he thinks more important than either introductions or thanks.]

It is regarding my other companions that I ask you for your aid today, as we are uncertain whether they are amongst us here on Tu Vishan or not.

They would be dressed in a similar fashion to my friends and I, and undoubtedly all have arrived in an injured fashion. They go by the names of: Courfeyrac, Feuilly, Joly, Bahorel, Lesgles - though he may prefer Bossuet - and Marius. [A slight pause.] Grantiare also.

I might also ask if anyone has information regarding the political nature of this Empir- [There's a comment behind him, too quiet for the microphone to pick up. Enjolras turns to listen, then continues without finishing his previous thought.]

We are situated in the Wood sector, should you come across them at a later stage. Again, I thank you for your attention.

Comments

[video | encrypted]

[polyhistor]

Not in the sense that you and I are. It's... um, it's difficult to explain.

[Especially to someone for whom the concept is entirely new. Reid chews at his lip a moment.]

Okay, so... technically all living beings can be studied from a biomechanical standpoint. We are all machines - organic ones, with thought and feeling, but the veins and capillaries and nervous systems in our bodies are mathematically quantifiable. There are electrical impulses in our brains that determine what we're doing and how we're going to do it - every time you move your hands or a finger or even walk, that's an electrical impulse being delivered to your--

[... he probably doesn't know all the parts of a human brain, Reid. He clears his throat.]

-- Brain.

But while biomechanics is the study of mechanical law relating to living organisms, these consoles are biomechanical. Possessing of both components. Organic - which does not necessarily mean 'living' in the sense that you and I enjoy - and mechanical. A sea sponge is an organic creature. Bacteria - you might know them as 'animalcules' or 'bacterium' - is organic, technically living but again not the same way we are. They're a unicellular organism. Incredibly simple, biomechanically speaking. These consoles have more in common with bacteria than they do with a thinking, feeling human.

[video | encrypted]

[idealisme]

[Enjolras takes brief notes (he has learned to keep pen and paper next to his console) to pass on to Combeferre, who will no doubt be in raptures over this new word and the science of it.]

I see. [He doesn't. Well. Not as much as one might.]

To come back to our initial point of discussion-

It is interesting that, other than the residences for those who have been brought here, there have been no architectural advancements in Keelai. What about in sciences or the arts? I have found no indication of any schools here, or indeed of any collèges or écoles. The Kedan have no opportunity to educate themselves, except for visiting the palace library.

[video | encrypted]

[polyhistor]

The kedan culture as a whole is almost in a state of stasis, with very little progress or regression. They do - or did - have arts, there are several people who display older works of it in shops or the coffee houses. In terms of science... their medical science seems to be on par with about the early twentieth century, and some of their electronic science seems to correspond with the latter half of that same century.

They don't have schools in the traditional sense. I think it's generally accepted that kedan children will learn the trade of their parents and continue it.