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Topic: what is the metachron dialogue? (Read 6502 times)
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Tohoya
Zebranky food
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Posts: 12
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I've heard it referenced in a few threads here, but a curosry search of the boards reveals nothing illuminating. What were they, and is there a link to the original removed lines?
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Tsing
Zebranky food
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Gender: 
Posts: 17
Lazy lurker
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How nice to see you again, Captain.
Before we go on, I have a small announcement.
As you may know, in our travels throughout the galaxy
we Melnorme have found many strange and interesting alien artifacts.
One of these devices is the MetaChron, a kind of trans-time alarm system.
In a nutshell, it warns me of future dangers by predicting its own demise
which is most likely linked to my own well being, since I keep it under my pillow.
The unit is a small pyramid and, when all is well, white in color.
But if we are proceeding along a timeline which will eventually result in the destruction of the MetaChron
the unit slowly darkens. Presumably, it will be destroyed at the same time as it turns completely black.
When we first entered this region of space, the MetaChron was white.
Now it is light gray.
At its present rate of change, something will destroy the MetaChron
in the early part of the year 2159.
In order to avoid this unpleasantness, we may be leaving just before this time
so if you have business you wish to conduct with us
I suggest you do so before January 2159, or February at the latest.
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You WILL be annigilated... I mean annihigated.. damn!
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Megagun
Enlightened
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Gender:
Posts: 580
Moo
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Ah, Tsing... Our resident lurking quote-bot...
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jucce
Frungy champion
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Posts: 95
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I was just thinking about the metachron before. If it turns black when it will be destroyed in the current timeline then it really shouldn't matter if the Melnorme leaves. I mean him leaving must be a part of the timeline too?
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Valaggar
Guest
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No, the MetaChron alerts of dangers that will come if you remain in the same place - it doesn't predict the imminence of its demise, but the imminence of its demise if some action is not taken.
It's very unscientifical, but that's it.
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Megagun
Enlightened
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Gender:
Posts: 580
Moo
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I believe that one is missing a few dialogues..
http://www.sa-matra.net/quotes/ should contain everything that there is.. Plus it looks better 
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Valaggar
Guest
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Ah, if I think of it, it's scientifically possible in this Star Control-like system:
Everyone has a soul/something that does not obey standard natural laws and constitutes the free will of that individual.
The MetaChron predicts its demise if no such a free will intervenes (by projecting its "tendrils" into the future).
However, the actions of free will may move the Universe from one timeline to another, rendering the MetaChron's prediction obsolete (since it applied only to that specific timeline).
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Novus
Enlightened
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Posts: 1938
Fot or not?
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Another explanation is that the Metachron is estimating the probability of destruction in the current location (within some period of time into the future) based on e.g. amount of destroyed ships in the area or some similar estimate of danger that would clearly increase if the Kohr-Ah take over the place. Taking individuals or Precursor vessels into account would be much harder to do, anyway, and they probably wouldn't figure into this calculation.
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Valaggar
Guest
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Perhaps, but isn't the Ur-Quan's free will the reason for its demise? If you mean the Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah, yes. But a free will that has already been established - cleansing all sentience is a decision they had took long ago, back in the times of officer Kohr-Ah, from whom their name comes.
So the Universe is already in that timeline for a long time.
Another explanation is that the Metachron is estimating the probability of destruction in the current location (within some period of time into the future) based on e.g. amount of destroyed ships in the area or some similar estimate of danger that would clearly increase if the Kohr-Ah take over the place. Taking individuals or Precursor vessels into account would be much harder to do, anyway, and they probably wouldn't figure into this calculation. No, because the real probability is 0% (or extremely small) until February 2159, and 99.99% in February 2159. It doesn't increase gradually.
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Valaggar
Guest
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Then why doesn't it predict your attack on the Inevitably Successful in All Circumstances?
I mean, the Trader shouldn't be in Alpha Centauri anymore if Greenish knew that you are going to attack him.
A possible argument for your explanation would be that you learn of the MetaChron's existence only after you can't attack Greenish anymore. If you choose to attack him, then it means that the MetaChron doesn't exist. (so there are two storylines: Greenish survives and the MetaChron exists AND Greenish is dead and the MetaChron never existed).
However, you can retreat from the fight with Greenish and apologize. And after a while, you'll learn about the MetaChron.
So this is not a valid argument.
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