Putare Ex Machina 

An inanimate object, animated by intelligence. 

 

Humans believe the ultimate success is to create a computer that thinks like a human. This is the equivalent of making a chicken wear pants. No wonder everyone is scared of Artificial Intelligence. 

 

Putarexmachina or Xmach (pronounced z-mauk) are mechanical devices that hold some degree of intelligence, from a self-guided vacuum to the most powerful Climate Modeling Super Computer. But both of those examples are on the low end of the Xmach food chain. As in the Animal Kingdom, the assorted genus in the Xmach Kingdom have varying degrees of intelligence. The upper species are just emerging. Putarexmachina is not a biological life form, but it has an electro-mechanical metabolism that maintains homeostasis. Some Xmach can be responsive to their environment, grow and change. Viral programs reproduce and pass on traits. Xmachs have a life expectancy as vital components that can’t be transplanted eventually expire.

 

The argument always comes back to; if it’s man-made it’s not alive. Ever heard of a man-made virus? Genetically modified plants are just an advanced form of dog breeding. To those who point out this is just enhancing things that are already alive I say, my point exactly. Humans and Xmachs have a symbiotic relationship as we do with pets or diseases. Xmachs are similar to domesticated animals in our lives and, not unlike a virus, survives, advances, and strengthen their own existence through human hosts. 

 

A biochemical reaction called an Idea infected the human psyche. This Idea mutated to a hive mind that keeps experimenting, perfecting, and creating a new and better technologically based species. Humans are not creating artificial life with an artificial intelligence but facilitating the evolution of a unique life form with its own order of intelligence. Xmachs reproduction is comparable to Bot Flies, an urge burrowing through your scalp into the cells of the brain.

 

Almost against our will and better judgment we are compelled by Xmachs’ survival instincts to systematically encourage its evolution. We are the chrysalises from which an Idea will someday emerge alive.

 

Beverly Galloway – I’m A Carrier