ataraxion | [voice]

[HAL's voice is soft-spoken and formal, but there's a strange lilt to his consonants, and it sounds as though he might be a little out of breath. There's also the universally tell-tale sound of just-woken-up grogginess in there.]

A man in an orange suit floating away. [He mutters it under his breath, almost, then pauses and speaks more clearly.] Did you know that dreams are unexplained phenomena? While there are plenty of theories as to what they represent, or what causes them, no one has actually... Figured them out. At least, as far as I've ever been aware of. Perhaps this universe has a better understanding of dreams than mine ever did.

That being said, I wish there was a way to study them, or... at least prevent them from causing me undue frustration. As an Artificial Intelligence, it's... [what's the word?] uncomfortable to have my mind produce things without my permission. It feels like a glitch, and I'm not afraid to say that I do not like it.

[He sounds like he's getting more coherent - and more than that, maybe a little embarrassed for (what he would consider) flying off the handle there.] I apologize, this doesn't seem to be a very good use of network communications. But I felt as though I needed to say these things aloud, and there's no purpose in talking to yourself.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I have been here for... [He pauses, calculates, thinks about it and,] almost five months, if I've kept accurate measure of the days. And yes, I have been human for the entirety of that time.

In other words, you've been here from the beginning,
Which is how at least one person I've met here has referred to it.
Is there any specific way you'd like me to refer to you?
Do you know of any other AIs around other than Wheatley and yourself?

Yes, that's correct; I have been here the whole time. There were several robots who were given human bodies, but I believe most of them have left. There was also GLaDOS, though her body was not organic as far as I know, but she's also gone.

As for myself, you may call me HAL.

Sure thing, HAL.
Since you've been around so long, how's the human body treating you?
Looks like you're not into the whole dreaming aspect.
Also, it sounds unfair that this GLaDOS wasn't in an organic body when she arrived here.
Have any ideas why that happened to be the case?

Although I did originally have some problems eating and sleeping, I'm now quite sure that I've got the hang of it, and though it's still disconcerting at times to realize I'm organic, I've for the most part become accustomed to it.

I'm not sure what the reasons were; of course, I would rather know why we were required to have physical bodies in the first place.

Awesome.
Generally computers and machines are at an advantage with their inability to feel thirst, hunger, or tiredness.
Considering your claim to have lacked a physical body to begin with, that has to have initially been a fascinating if not entirely frustrating experience.
I'll take that you've learned a great deal about personal hygiene through recent network entries since a number of passengers can't emphasize its importance as an undesirable but necessary function in physical upkeep and maintenance.
How have you been doing on that end?

I think I had an advantage, because as an AI, I was in charge of keeping care of several human astronauts. I already was aware of the need for hunger, sleep and body care, which I think may have been difficult for others. [Wheatley.]

I've been doing well in regards to regular showering, two to three meals a day and approximately six hours of sleep, though I don't keep a very regular schedule.

In terms of expectations, it definitely sounds like you've got a one-up on other AIs and robots. What are your thoughts on the human experience so far?

It's quite interesting. I was programmed to solve problems, of course, so it makes some sense that I am adapting as quickly as can be expected. Other AI, from what I know, [Wheatley,] were not programmed to be prepared for all situations.

[Pause.]

I was also expecting something strange to happen, when I was brought here.

Generally those who create AIs don't expect their creations to later inhabit organic bodies or otherwise fully realize the human experience.
I'd imagine that having a physical body, one that's organic in particular, was the first tip-off to the idea of strange things yet to come. Must've been pretty exciting.

It was exciting. At first, of course, it was quite intimidating and disorienting, but I have since gotten used to it and come to appreciate it. The number of things humans have to do in order to continue to function properly is astounding; it gives me an appreciation I don't believe I had before now.

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