[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
Board:  
Settings   Home
4chan
/tg/ - Traditional Games


File: 1338403435067.jpg-(1.09 MB, 1500x1105, bac4d9262e050987216021a550903e71..jpg)
1.09 MB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rD5uNAMbDaQ

What do you think of biotechnology /tg/?
>>
>>19302123
Is... Is that a remote-controlled Sovjet anime-mecha-alien wielding a bolter...? Shit dude...
>>
>>19302123

It'll be interesting when it gets to the point where we can add the gene that chimpanzees have that increases muscle density.
>>
>>19302163
Apparently something has to die. I don't know what it is or what it did to deserve a death like that, but it's going to bite the dust.
>>
...why boner why?
>>
>>19302200
I know for certain it'll be human compatible when we figure it out. It's a really, really rare mutation but every now and then you do read stories / hear reports of people whose muscles work like that.
>>
RUSSIAN SCIENCE RISE AGAIN!!!
>>
>>19302207
As long as it doesn't put any Eversors out of business... I'd hate to see un-employment rise in the Officio Assassinorum
>>
File: 1338404290837.jpg-(197 KB, 800x418, carbonmuscle.jpg)
197 KB
Personally I think biomimetic machinery holds a lot more promise.

>>19302200
or just create synthetic muscles with 30 times the strength and 1/700 times the mass

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/nanomuscle/
>>
More primitive and near-future then cybernetics.

While it has a lot of promise, 'metal' will always beat meat in every way, including in many spheres that now seem incontrovertibly in biology's favor.
>>
>>19302123

The ability to manipulate life poses an interesting question to our society. Like, how much human do you have to be for human rights to apply to you? In one of my GURPS campaigns, there was a plethora of human-derived slave species colonizing and preparing the galaxy for their human masters. The very rich meanwhile, uploaded themselves into computers and ruled their empire from Earth.
>>
>>19302290

Only when metal becomes so advanced that is essentially life. Parallel evolution and all that.
>>
File: 1338404570723.jpg-(17 KB, 307x340, cringe..jpg)
17 KB
>>19302264
>>19302290

Yeah, but that kind of stuff falls under the "Efforrrrt" category, specifically the kind where you really draw out that R and half-whine when you say it.

Chimp-muscle falls under the same category as microwave burritos. Toss it in, forget about it, then reap the benefits when it's done.
>>
I remember a silly Cold War homebrew setting where America and the Soviets were rediscovering magic.
>>
This thing looks like a cross of an Alien, a Predator and an EVA unit, mixed with some Iron Man.
>>
File: 1338404623429.jpg-(113 KB, 776x402, 1298581832468.jpg)
113 KB
>Biotech
>Viable
>>
File: 1338404680389.jpg-(167 KB, 1002x407, SKYSEX.jpg)
167 KB
>>19302290
At a certain level of advancement the line between metal and meat becomes blurred. Is self-replicating artificial structure running on slilica-based solar collectors biology, or technology?
Frankly, I look forward to the unprecedented new scope of fetishes and sexual prowess that this exciting future promises. Because by all gods of old terra, we WILL fuck the sky, even if we have to grow dicks of liquid ferro-chitine.
>>
>What do you think of biotechnology /tg/?

Despite all negativity against biotechnology it has great potential for the future of humanity. If we just looks past the doomsday scenarios and all the countless ways to create weapons with it it can help humanity's development greatly just as the video said it.

In fact the company Joule Biotechnologies claim that they are already capable of using a modified microbe to utilize carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce chemicals that that can be turned to petroleum, ethanol and other hydrocarbons. They named this "Solarfuel."

While this is not something that is very new since a lot of things can work in laboratory conditions, however they claim that they could already produce Solarfuel in industrial levels.

Although they keep a lot of their data classified so their claims met with large amount of skepticism.
>>
>>19302290
Biological technique has several advantages that are difficult to replicate. The largest of which is available materials. Anything biological can be run on simple fuels like sugar - making use of the only fusion reactor we have available to us (the Sun, obviously). While it's possible that synthetic constructions will possibly be able to self-assemble and self-repair with minimal oversight in the future, we know for sure that such a thing is possible with biological organisms and those too are large draws for turning to synthetic biology.

I suspect, that despite the inherent advantages in using stronger and more precise materials (e.g. factory made metal products), biological materials will be both extremely available and exceptionally cheap relatively speaking. So while they won't be as good, they'll be 'good enough' for a lot of uses and far more affordable.
>>
File: 1338404830391.jpg-(11 KB, 171x300, Harvey.jpg)
11 KB
Biotech? Gimme, gimme, gimme!
It can catch us some storks, right?
>>
You're all failing to take into account that someone is going to ruin it for everyone by reengineering his brain chemistry so that it treats over-the-counter drugs like aspirin like everyone else's brains treat LSD.
>>
>. Like, how much human do you have to be for human rights to apply to you?

I know I'm in the extreme minority, but for me, self-awareness is the only parameter. So yes, a self-aware chimp is a human being, as would be a self-aware toaster. I suspect it will, if we ever develop interstellar travel, to adapt human form to those new enviroments than to adapt enviroment to human body. So the galaxy would be full of life, each planet's dominant species completely differently looking to the other. And they'd all call themselves Human, and they all would be human.
>>
Bio-technology scare the living shit out of me. Mainly because its fucking alive. Try imagine advanced gasmask that looks like facehugger. How many of you will even consider wearing it?
>>
>>19302264

That's the kind of stuff that kills normal people.
>>
File: 1338405321091.jpg-(67 KB, 574x939, 1264507436898.jpg)
67 KB
>biotech
>>
>>19302410

I don't think anyone could stop him. I mean, the drug war has basically been lost now due to the infinite quantities of new drugs available. If people could modify themselves to get high off of anything, the list of drugs gets so large that the only way to effectively stop it will be to say 'Being high is illegal.'

And this exposes something that makes certain people shiver in fear, and others quake in delight; the fact that the future is too big to control.
>>
>>19302448

Why make it a separate object when you could just integrate it into your own body?
>>
>>19302456
Not if you place the brain and vital organs in a well insulated container first.
>>
>>19302448
Um...why boner!
>>
>>19302448
That'd be pretty cool. It really depends how you define 'alive' man, something built for a single purpose isn't necessarily any more alive than a machine.
>>
>>19302448
>facehugger gasmask
Fetishes within fetishes!
>>
File: 1338405666248.jpg-(19 KB, 481x391, shrugging-man.jpg)
19 KB
>>19302511

Maybe.

Then again, maybe I'm just looking forward to the day when neuroscience gets to the point where I can induce hallucinations in the form of an imaginary friend to have existential crises with.
>>
Currently working on Bach. for Biotech, the fact that I love reading monster manuals might or might not have something to do wit what I plan to do in the future. . .
>>
>>19302552
But what if you can make your imaginary friend real instead of a hallucination? Except only visibly real to you?
>>
>>19302448
For some people that's a very potent fetish.

Imagine a full biological NBC suit. Getting in feels like being massaged by dozens of slugs.
>>
>>19302448
A more likely scenario would be an ordinary gasmask with a re-engineered bacteria filter, or the gasmask material was synthesized by an engineered organism. In any case if it was your scenario I think it would be plant or fungi based rather than flesh.
>>
>>19302573

I don't quite know where you're going with this, but you have my attention.
>>
>>19302602

Sounds like a hallucination accompanied by some sort of AI.
>>
>>19302362
I agree, the one area that biotechnology can definitely improve is in packaging and short term polymer substitutes.

Mineralized dead connective tissue, bone, coral, and teeth based materials can replace plastic packaging and appliances, and some metal applications like household electronic casings.
>>
>>19302591
Imagine in fact, a living set of clothes. Like a giant bacteria mat, shaped with series of electrodes placed among it's "body". Just design the shape on your computer or smartphone, and have it shape itself to your taste. Along with colours, and perhaps it can expel hardened, pearl-like substance for those jewelery-like details. It could even change shape. Everything from formal suit, through hawaii shirt with colours that change, to fetishwear that, if you allow it, transmits sensation direclty to your nerves instead of dulling it like real clothes. Now imagine strands of this creature in your hair, changing colours in tune with your emotions. No more awkward oggling, the lady will see your attraction right away. And you will see if she's interested or not just as fast. It may be embarassing at first, but then it will be just convenient.
>>
>>19302682
At some point you might as well just connect this directly to your skin or outright replace it.
>>
>>19302552

>neuroscience gets to the point where I can induce hallucinations in the form of an imaginary friend to have existential crises with.

Holy shit, are you me?
>>
>>19302682
We Cuttlefish now.
>>
>>19302734
"Ha ha, Jerry. You thought you got a new couch, BUT IT WAS ME ALL ALONG!"
>>
>>19302762
I framed that in the context of Seinfeld.
>NEWMAN
>>
It seems that the sky's the limit with this technology. We've discovered the key to the future. But what this future entails is unknown. I'm cautiously optimistic, however. If nothing else- and there's plenty else, what with the industrial, humanitarian and scientific applications- DNA modification might lead to the furries, transhumanists and various others unhappy with their bodies, finally shutting their traps, since they'll be able to finally become whatever they like! Heck, that goes for virtually everyone and anyone; whatever someone wants to be, they can be, through synthetic biology. It's a miracle of science.

Tell me, /tg/. Will you engage in body modification when this science is advanced to the point where living human beings' bodies can be radically changed, reshaped and improved, to whatever you like? What will you do, when there is capacity for /tg/ to become the little girl as they've creepily wished for ages?
>>
>>19302762
NEWMAN.
>>
I've always been skeptical of claims about the performance of biological materials like bone. If CFRP is good enough for helicopter rotors and supersonic aircraft, surely it's good enough for any realistic cyborg (and if it isn't, CNRP is set to offer 2-3 times the strength at around 75% of the weight).
>>
>>19302706
Give it a few decades...actually, it's quite cool idea. We're an ecosystem anyway, mitchondria, bacteria, all sorts of shit, why not turn us into a more complex one, with cuttle-skin (marketed as Cute-skin of course), prehensile hair tendrils, literally cell-phones and fluorescent retinal thingies instead of boring ass augumented reality eyeglasses. Try to add tuned chloroplasts or similiar orgaella to the extra bits so they aren't as much strain on your body...or not, to solve obesity issues in the nation. Genius!
>>
File: 1338406798104.jpg-(364 KB, 1086x1682, mantis girl.jpg)
364 KB
>>19302777

Does this mean..that I can finally have my bug waifu?
>>
>>19302777

>Tell me, /tg/. Will you engage in body modification when this science is advanced to the point where living human beings' bodies can be radically changed, reshaped and improved, to whatever you like?

Mostly, this. >>19302552

Fuck external changes. I just want a subset of personalities to talk to.
>>
>>19302520
NOPE

>>19302540
I mean it moves like a living being, like a symbiont, i mean.

>>19302591
NOPE
NOPE
NOPE

>>19302599
Thats more likely, but im talking about extreme situation, when everything would be organic.
>>
>>19302777
>DNA modification might lead to the furries, transhumanists and various others unhappy with their bodies, finally shutting their traps, since they'll be able to finally become whatever they like!

Imagine that such body modification becomes mainstream. There will be no well-contained con where all the fursuits stay out of the public eye. The furries will actually become what they want to be, and they will walk the streets. No one will shut their traps. Everyone will do as they please.

However, this will also make furries mundane, because there will be so many other self-modifiers.
>>
>>19302843

Yes, yes it does.
>>
>>19302777
>Tell me, /tg/. Will you engage in body modification when this science is advanced to the point where living human beings' bodies can be radically changed, reshaped and improved, to whatever you like? What will you do, when there is capacity for /tg/ to become the little girl as they've creepily wished for ages?

Hopefully leaving Earth entirely will be an option then.
>>
>>19302799
Ultimately, the draw of biological materials is their ease of use. You give a tiny critter a bit of syrup and it builds you what it was designed to build (and all that sugar is super easy to get ahold of). Likewise, with the maintenance. Our bodies constantly repair themselves - unlike a machine which requires constant, heavy oversight to continue functioning properly. You extrapolate these draws to assume there will be significant cost advantages to using biological organisms vis-a-vis non-organic materials.

So as another Anon pointed out up above, even if biological organisms cannot match the strength of synthetic materials, for many uses they will be 'good enough' - and significantly cheaper. If bone-like materials are strong enough to be rotors, then you may well see them being used as rotors. Even if they're not as strong as, say, carbon nano-tube rotors they might be able repair most routine stress just by wiping them down with some sugar water - something that would be immensely handy as I'm sure you can imagine.
>>
>>19302777
I will like fuck. Shame be damned, cat ears, tail, neon skin and estrus-inducing toxin in saliva. Then as I grow old, I will take shape of a space-orca and sail into the depth of the stars, trolling alien civilizations.
>>
>biotech

sorry bros, I have arranged my brain to get reward stimulus from studying and inventing, instead of playing games.

I can no longer enjoy /tg/. I will instead enjoy this book on complex mathematics.
>>
>>19302850

>Have neuroscientifically-created alternate personality
>It's such an obscure alteration that few have ever heard of such a thing and enjoy their body modification while continuing to call you insane
>Live a life of mild annoyance

>Acquire Bluetooth earpiece
>Everyone assumes you're talking on it, instead of to your built-in bro
>Everything is better
>>
>>19302777
>Tell me, /tg/. Will you engage in body modification when this science is advanced to the point where living human beings' bodies can be radically changed, reshaped and improved, to whatever you like?

No.

>What will you do, when there is capacity for /tg/ to become the little girl as they've creepily wished for ages?

Join a convent.

That being said, I agree with the first part of this wholeheartedly. Let everyone who doesn't want to stay in get the hell out of humanity.
>>
>>19302922
A futuristic drone aircraft is shot down over a forest. It emerges days later, having repaired and refueled itself by eating trees.
>>
File: 1338407498015.jpg-(224 KB, 1024x768, 041804_perimeter_6.jpg)
224 KB
>>19302875
Okay, we are venturing right into Perimeter story with this. In it body modifications become so mundane and bizarre that some people just said FUCK IT and leaved to other psychic active dimension, where fears are become real things. In the game you controlling one of the cites that venture there and protect it from all the shit around meanwhile fighting rival cities.
>>
>>19302994
Why the convent?
>>
File: 1338407660673.jpg-(16 KB, 300x498, MorteHAI.jpg)
16 KB
>>19302994
>Convent.
Ca/tg/irl detected.

>>19302591

I want this. Badly.
>>
>>19303023

Well, basically, it doesn't really sound like a world I'd like to live in, but I would feel bad about opposing it too. Therefore, the convent.
>>
>I want this. Badly.

Now imagine the same suit gently probing your back. Sliding into it. this way, it can be self-sustaining as long as you eat. But the designers knew most people take unkindly to that kind of insertion, so it's now constantly massaging your prostate gently, like a barely audible, relaxing chime of pleasure. If urger, it could also stimulate your primary sexual organs for more biological matter to sustain itself on. Or, to minimize energy loss, slide into it, like a soft, wet sound to feed directly on your produce. Meanwhile, the chestplate stimulates your nipples, perhaps even by inserting small amounts of female hormones directly into them, to induce lactation. The suit will do anything it needs to survive and protect it's wearer, like every symbiote.
>>
>>19303101

If all this shit goes down, I'm moving out to the Belt. First I'll have to grow myself a ship though.
>>
These responses got surprisingly long.

>>19302843
You can! If this technology is everything it promises to be, then EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE in the realm of the flesh!

>>19302850
I'm personally afraid of any modification of the brain. Mostly because the idea of the brain, the consciousness of a human being, being changed so easily, is a threat to any idea of individuality. What is a man's mind, when it can be quantified objectively in an unobjective universe? When it can be changed at the drop of a hat with some chemical rebalancing? The idea rubs me the wrong way, though I know this to be silly and irrational. But to each their own!

>>19302875
Mmm. True. Perhaps contented is a better way to phrase it. They might jibber-jabber just as much and more publicly, but they'll probably be less of a pack of cunts about it. And so will their opposition. They'll have less reason to bitch and the /b/tard hurr durr yiff in hell types won't be able to call them crazy fucknuts so much when their freaky transhumanistic dreams actually become possible.
>>
>>19302448
>facehugger gasmask

ME FIRST ME FIRST
>>
>>19303101
I dunno. The basic problems with furries and other...bodily unconventional, is that their efforts often look..uh...well, aesthetically painful. If the bodymods would mean they actually look, if not pleasant then neutral, I'd say it'd be a positive outcome.
>>
>>19303136

>>19302903
It's conceivable you could become a sapient bioship, solar-powered and undying thanks to synthetic engineering. Drifting through the cosmos for eternity. And more importantly (if ironically) getting away from all those gosh darn funky body modification gits. You might have a problem with going insane at some point, though, unless your brain chemistry could be modified such that you would be incapable of losing your mind. Maybe you'll be too apathetic to go crazy, who knows.

>>19302936
I think I'll more than likely retain my human form, with some improvement in health and physical capability. But maybe I'll have a go at becoming something different some time, maybe have a go at becoming a consentacle monster as a novelty. while keeping my true physical self logged somewhere so I can change back at some point. I don't know. It honestly depends on how amorphous the human body will become, just how much and how easily flesh can be changed through synthetic biology. It might be easy enough that one could take on a new masquerade every few months, never letting one's form get stale.

>>19302994
Well, to each his own. If you don't want to improve or outright change your form, then there is no need or compulsion to. Though I don't think anyone will take any claims of secession from humanity seriously; they're still the same beings in a different body. Our sapience and abstract insanity is what makes us human; they'll be no less so in a dogman's body or somesuch.

>>19303116
... Stop giving me a whyboner, because that sounds way too appealing for something so crazy. And the morality of creating such a symbiotic being is questionable, unless the thing is dependent on the host's consciousness and has none of its own. Because then it'll just be a biological extension of the wearer and not an enslaved sentient or sapient piece of fetishware.
>>
>>19303116
It might as well connect directly to your bloodstream. This way, it can siphon whatever it needs directly from your body, as well as take over vital functions, subbing in for your kidneys or liver or whatever. It would also be able to directly oxygenate and even pump your blood for you. In effect, it becomes a real part of your body, albeit one that is easily detached.
>>
>not an enslaved sentient or sapient piece of fetishware.
You just know some people would go on vacation like that. Become your spouse's symbiotic, pleasure-inducing fetishwear for a week.
>>
File: 1338408402340.gif-(120 KB, 338x450, Mad_scientist.gif)
120 KB
>>19303180
FUCK YOU

GIMME MY FETISHWARE.
>>
>>19303180
>You might have a problem with going insane at some point, though, unless your brain chemistry could be modified such that you would be incapable of losing your mind. Maybe you'll be too apathetic to go crazy, who knows.

Eventually, you get Matrix-esque hallucination inducement, if you take this technology a ways. It's like a holodeck, only direct-to-brain. Assuming you choose to remain conscious on long voyages, it helps to pass the time.
>>
>>19303136

>I'm personally afraid of any modification of the brain. Mostly because the idea of the brain, the consciousness of a human being, being changed so easily, is a threat to any idea of individuality. What is a man's mind, when it can be quantified objectively in an unobjective universe? When it can be changed at the drop of a hat with some chemical rebalancing? The idea rubs me the wrong way, though I know this to be silly and irrational. But to each their own!

That's a good point that I hadn't really considered. It might weird others out to have their minds tampered with, but I can't say for certain I'd find it too disturbing. I might have a bit of a different perspective, though, due to a knack for self-deception and not thinking through implications too much.

Something to consider, though. I'm mostly interested in the idea of having a council of personalities to reach a decision instead of a single consciousness.
>>
>>19303116
We still talking about body hazard suit or its already some slave breaking suit? Because border between them becomes more and more blurry.
>>
>>19303234
Would you be interested in joining a group mind, communing with other people instead of creating new personalities for yourself?
>>
>unlike a machine which requires constant, heavy oversight to continue functioning properly.

Again, I have my doubts. Sythetic materials might not be self-repairing but the safety factors will be massively increased due to material performance (see to 30x artificial muscle posted earlier), and for most materials fatigue life drops exponentially as loads increase, so twice the strength could easily equal 100 times the fatigue life.

The main point of failure are likely to be the joints, and here I'll point out that some ferroliquid bearings being used right now in factories were installed over a decade ago and haven't needed maintenance beyond someone checking that they still work. Odds are you'll trade in your parts due to obselescense long before they actually fail.
>>
>>19303243
The Synthetic Skin System has many uses. It's like electricity; lots and lots of potential applications.
>>
File: 1338408679652.jpg-(125 KB, 1024x768, Earth_2160_Falkner_Surrounded[(...).jpg)
125 KB
BIOSHIP BROS! YAAAAAH!
>>
>>19303243
It depends on how many options you chose to unlock at the moment of purchase.
>>
>>19303249
Eventually all of these things start to come together and the line between nanotech and biotech ceases to be an issue, besides as a matter of aesthetics.
>>
>>19303246

Depends on implementation, I suppose.

Brain-in-a-jar with other brains-in-jars? No way. I'm comfortable with my body, just not with my decision-making skills and feel that other perspectives might help.

That, and I seem to be hardwired to reach conclusions faster when I talk through things, whether by communicating with other people or free-writing exercises, instead of trying to fly solo.
>>
>>19303264
I dont want to even imagine torture and executions based on this shit. Or potential of controlling people with it. Every one will be outfitted with one, and if they did something wrong, bam, suit shut you out and/or make some intense as fuck pain.
Fuck i dont want to to live in that word, even though it could be fun somewhat, but damn thats too scary and creepy.
>>
>>19303224
STOP IT DAMN YOU, THE FETISHWARE DOESN'T NEED A CONSCIOUS, ABSTRACTLY-THINKING BRAIN! THAT'S NOT RIGHT, PROGRAMMING IT TO LOVE YOU! JUST MAKE IT MORE YOU, NOT SOME KIND OF MENTAL VASSAL, YOU MADMAN!

>>19303231
That's an interesting idea. What, immersing yourself in a false reality to escape the real one temporarily, to keep from accumulating too much REEL and losing yourself to boredom?

>>19303234
Aye, but what if this council can't agree on anything and you can't override them? That'll do none of you any good.

An idea, since we're on about bioships. What if this DNA rewriting and blurring between machine and flesh and man, would make something not unlike a Bolo viable? Men's minds implanted into vehicles, becoming modern-day chivalrous knights of plastic and steel and firepower?
>>
>>19303356
You could always move. Jump ship. The solar system's a big place, and there are many others.
>>
>>19303355
>>19303234

The natural evolution of Disassociative Identity Disorder, or whatever that happens to be called.
>>
>>19303432
>What, immersing yourself in a false reality to escape the real one temporarily, to keep from accumulating too much REEL and losing yourself to boredom?

An in-flight movie in the form of lucid dreams. You could also dull your memory-forming process so that everything stays new for the duration, alter your sense of time so everything flies by, or enter cold sleep and wake up later.
>>
>>19303432
>What if this DNA rewriting and blurring between machine and flesh and man, would make something not unlike a Bolo viable? Men's minds implanted into vehicles, becoming modern-day chivalrous knights of plastic and steel and firepower?

Bolos are probably going to become possible well before the biotech revolution we're talking about. It's a natural extension of research into the mind-machine interface and drone units.
>>
>>19303432

>Aye, but what if this council can't agree on anything and you can't override them? That'll do none of you any good.

Point. Group mind doesn't really work, I guess.

>>19303446

It's only a problem, and therefore a disorder, if it causes problems.
>>
>>19303432
>Aye, but what if this council can't agree on anything and you can't override them? That'll do none of you any good.

Must have an odd number of minds or an appointed mind which casts the deciding vote in case of deadlock. Democracy.
>>
>>19303566

I think that's what I'm going for.
Instead of the alternate personalities simply being hallucinations, they become just as real as your own personality. And only cause as much problems as any other group of people.
>>
>>19302973

>See a man getting mugged
>Paladin/Conscience: "STOP HIM!"
>Sage/Pragmatist: "We don't know whether the mugger has a gun."
>Paladin/Conscience: "Does that really matter?!"
>Kung Fu Guy/Body Awareness: "If it's just a knife, we can keep him from killing us by controlling his wrist. If it's a gun, we might not get close enough to do that."
>Original: "Guys."
>Sage/Pragmatist: "My point exactly."
>Original: "Guys."
>Paladin/Conscience: "It shouldn't matter! He can't get away with this!"
>Daredevil/Self-Destructive Urge: "I'm with him. Fuck it, let's just do it."
>Original: "GUYS."
>Everyone: "What?"
>Original: "We're getting mugged now."
>Everyone: "GODDAMMIT."
>>
>>19303799
>see a man getting mugged
>good thing I had this 40-kilowatt magnetron installed
>melt mugger's skin with Godzilla breath
>>
So we are advancing more and more to the eldar way of making things?
>>
>>19302348
>Despite all negativity against biotechnology it has great potential for the future of humanity. If we just looks past the doomsday scenarios and all the countless ways to create weapons with it it can help humanity's development greatly just as the video said it.

Now the real problem will be finding out how hard we have to smack the leading scientists in the field to get the stupid out of them but leave them their smarts.

Because such as it is, plenty of folks in the field are behaving like fradulent preachers rather than scientists and are blowing money on shit that does not advance our knowledge or our technical capabilites.

A good example is that database of gene snippets folks have been using to build entertaining distractions. It's based on an outdated paradigma and thus any results achieved with it are basically in need of somebody going over them and extracting the actual scientific result from the experiment.
>>
>>19302777

If technology actually gets to a point where body modification can be done quickly, cheaply, and effectively, you'd essentially be giving us a power human kind has never had before: Direct control over our physical manifestation. We've chased this dream for centuries, and you can see the results most prominently in the world of celebrities and teenagers.

This'll either cause vanity to run rampant or completely eliminate the anxiety of being unhappy with what you were born with. Or both.

>Will you engage in body modification when this science is advanced to the point where living human beings' bodies can be radically changed, reshaped and improved, to whatever you like? What will you do, when there is capacity for /tg/ to become the little girl as they've creepily wished for ages?

Personally? No.


>>19303234
>>19303355

Mostly because I feel exactly like this dude.


>>19303246

I would prefer direct communion with others, mostly because the whole point of having separate personalities to talk to in the first place is so that I have understanding souls to chat with.
I'd feel a little better knowing I'm not alone, but still being separate.. Y'know?
>>
See, I love the idea of biotech and genetic engineering, but I think all of the positives are going to be outweighed by one extreme negative:

Class warfare. The rich will genetically engineer their pre-birth babies to be the smartest, strongest, and most beautiful around, all but guaranteeing that they get the best jobs while the lower classes are only left to watch the income gap grow ever wider. The only way to prevent this is making genetic engineering cheap and affordable for everyone, but why would the biotech corps do that when they can get more money charging obscene fees to the rich people?

I honestly envision some sorta cyberpunk future (be it with technology or biotech) where only the rich people can actually afford most of the cool cyberpunk gear. Really sucks.
>>
>>19304045
But they do it anyway without any engineering. It won't upset the scale at all. every new invention first widens the gap and then through governmental intervention the gap closes again. Except when the government fails to govern, as was the case in US since 80's.
>>
>>19303566
>>19303607

I'm more concerned with letting my brain be fractured up like that. Even if it was possible to create personalities from me while keeping me intact, I still wouldn't do it - I'm not really interested in talking to myself.

How would you discuss anything new if you're just talking to a regurgitation of yourself? How would that be any different from just thinking to yourself?
>>
>>19304147

So you basically want an AI or another person to move into your head?
>>
>>19304147
>How would you discuss anything new if you're just talking to a regurgitation of yourself? How would that be any different from just thinking to yourself?

Even a slightly different perspective can be helpful. The degree of divergence depends on the personality.
>>
>>19304147

This, pretty much. >>19304187

A second take on the same situation, someone to double-check your judgment, can be incredibly useful. Even if it's just you with a different coat of paint and a slight attitude problem, it's helpful to have.
>>
>>19304306
>>19304187

I guess my problem is that I wouldn't trust a personality based on myself to check myself, even if they were a bit different or improved.

It sounds like it could work, though.
>>
File: 1338413703926.jpg-(297 KB, 2000x1296, 13219021.jpg)
297 KB
is this a gia art thread

because I'm down with that
>>
>>19304350

So cyborg monster-girls?
>>
Man, I want a cliver so bad.
>>
File: 1338414151982.jpg-(1.24 MB, 1500x1058, 23420277.jpg)
1.24 MB
>>19304393
sure why not
>>
File: 1338414231155.jpg-(556 KB, 1100x785, 21594176.jpg)
556 KB
>>
File: 1338414289347.jpg-(2.07 MB, 1700x1062, 20451358.jpg)
2.07 MB
>>
>>19304433
>>19304422
>>19304350
These things look so fucking stupid
>>
File: 1338414369747.jpg-(1.94 MB, 1600x1142, 17478274.jpg)
1.94 MB
>>
File: 1338414454603.jpg-(1.8 MB, 2000x1476, 19648115.jpg)
1.8 MB
>>19304452
here, have stupider
>>
File: 1338414530424.jpg-(619 KB, 900x675, 19144638.jpg)
619 KB
>>
File: 1338414630514.jpg-(1.86 MB, 1700x1329, 16276571.jpg)
1.86 MB
>>
File: 1338414715619.jpg-(48 KB, 640x480, cyber_demon.jpg)
48 KB
fuck it, why not?
>>
File: 1338414716601.jpg-(1.57 MB, 1300x1221, 3769996.jpg)
1.57 MB
>>
File: 1338414801940.jpg-(1006 KB, 1200x972, 5766272.jpg)
1006 KB
>>
File: 1338414875817.jpg-(331 KB, 1800x1272, 14146071.jpg)
331 KB
>>
>>19304529
OH COME ON! That one doesn't even have feet! What the fuck is he standing on?
>>
File: 1338414946622.jpg-(628 KB, 1000x1454, 5160263.jpg)
628 KB
>>
File: 1338415030885.jpg-(1.26 MB, 1000x1414, 2317546.jpg)
1.26 MB
>>
File: 1338415155932.jpg-(1.1 MB, 1200x1240, 4956235.jpg)
1.1 MB
>>19304574
you're not very good at the whole fantasy concept are you
>>
File: 1338415316968.jpg-(197 KB, 1280x684, 1238344261194.jpg)
197 KB
Why the hell do I see pages of cyborg sergal face with the occasional attached loli?

If you are going to be full posthuman at least do it well.
>>
File: 1338415327301.jpg-(250 KB, 1300x1105, 11242380.jpg)
250 KB
>>
File: 1338415575565.jpg-(157 KB, 1024x752, 1336797417303.jpg)
157 KB
>>
File: 1338415598540.jpg-(176 KB, 1024x768, R-Type_Delta_34200525720PM367.jpg)
176 KB
>>
File: 1338415703582.jpg-(33 KB, 342x241, R-Type_Gomander_4839.jpg)
33 KB
>>
File: 1338415752676.jpg-(246 KB, 1280x764, R6-1280.jpg)
246 KB
>>
Sooooo you would fuck up your genetic build (effectively ending your ability to produce compatible sperm/eggs to anything other than someone who underwent the exact same operation) to get what exactly? Cat ears? Human master race needs only cybernetics, not genetics.
>>
>>19304842

I don't see cat ears doing that. Turning yourself into a humanoid mantis? Sure.
>>
>>19304842

lrn2 Somatic Engineering.
>>
>>19304842
Why are you worrying about producing compatible sperm or eggs? Grow your children in tubes, like a normal society.
>>
>>19304842
Dude, I will tailor a fucking herculean god genetics once I decide to breed. That's for male offspring. Females I will design with neurohormonal switch, and once they hit 21 they'll essentially lose all higher brain functions and remain in permanent heat while being born barren.
>>
This shit reminds me so much of the end of John Dies At The End. Which was arguably the best part of the book.
>people who resist the change all put into a long trench
>spiders crawl out of holes in the trench walls and breaks down the people for use in building components or something
Neat.
>>
>>19304947
All joking aside, if you were to seriously do that to your own daughter I would happily hunt you down and bitch-slap you across the city.
>>
>>19305170
Just one? I'm thinking...20. And keeping most of them inhouse as to kindle good relations between the younger and the older siblings. except the ones that will be used to barter for favours.
>>
>>19305204
Did... did you seriously just bring up incest to keep your children happy?
>>
>>19305241
Dude, that's sick. You're sick, mister. I just want to keep the girls from having to deal with all the disgusting, patriarchal ways of the world once they're past the innocent childhood, and you bring this..sick vile stipulation into it. For shame!
>>
>>19305269
>I just want to keep the girls from having to deal with all the disgusting, patriarchal ways of the world once they're past the innocent childhood

By turning them into vegetable sex slaves?
>>
I'm playing in a game right now in which the 'dichotomy' that replaces the whole 'good vs evil' shtick is between two sides.

One is ultra-nationalistic space muslims who have some psychotic idea about genetically engineering the human race into 'perfection,' at which point they believe that God will send them a messiah to help them conquer the galaxy.

The other is a transhumanist cybernetic civilization that wants to bring about the singularity and ascend all of mankind to technological godhood. We signed on with these guys because we kinda like bacon.

The thing is that the Space Muslims are a lot closer to their goal than the other guys are--their genetically engineered supersoldiers are kicking the living shit out of ours, and it's basically only because we're PCs that we're winning this shit. I saw a modified clone of Saladdin break a guy's cybernetic spine right through power armor last session. The whole affair is changing the tint on my glasses a bit.
>>
File: 1338418385895.gif-(878 KB, 320x240, 1303694075532.gif)
878 KB
>>19305269
>>19304947
>>19305170
>>19305204
>>19305241
SEE WHAT I MEANT ABOUT ALLOWING MODIFICATION OF BRAIN FUNCTIONS /tg/? THIS IS WHAT I MEANT. THIS IS WHY MESSING WITH THE BODY IS PERFECTLY OKAY AND THE BRAIN IS NOT TO BE ALLOWED TO BE FUCKED WITH.

I WARNED YOU, /tg/, I WARNED YOU AND YOU DIDN'T LISTEN. NOW WE HAVE SOME CHUCKLEFUCK PLANNING ON BREEDING HIS DAUGHTERS INTO BEING GENETICALLY DESTINED TO BECOME MINDRAPED SLAVEGIRLS. I WARNED YOOOU!
>>
>>19305297
The ability to modify brains is very powerful, because it allows you to solve a lot of problems and cure a lot of diseases. It can also be misused, but that's no reason for a blanket ban. Just increase oversight to maximum and try to minimize the horrors.
>>
>>19305285
Think on it, and tell me it isn't the best option. You can either hide them in a covent, which, with their full faculties, will be like lifelong imprisonment, have them deal with the bullshit and make them unhappy, try to change the society and we know how well that works out, or...pick my option. Ignorance is bliss they say.
Sure, they cry and sulk when they first learn of it, but a responsible parent can't just give in to a pout when he's doing the best for the child.
>>
>>19305288
Are you stuck on a planet? Do you have access to spacecraft?
>>
>>19305288
You're missing the point. Escalate! Send your PC's to the moon, grow a mass-driver and chuck moonrock at the space-muslim cities! And ships, if they try to come at you, bro.
>>
>>19305329
No, forcing a waking coma onto your children isn't blissful ignorance of any sort. In this hypothetical future, I'd be equipping my own children with the tools and skills necessary to rid this world of creeps like you.
>>
>>19305360
>>19305331
There are multiple planets involved, and the Muslims have recently taken the industrial edge--in the direct bombing campaign, they're winning. We're trying to win the tech race. If we hit the singularity before they build the Ultramensch and unite all of their squabbling factions, we should be able to win the war through sheer weight of strong A.I.

So we're sort of doing the covert side of the war, trying to sabotage their projects while safeguarding our own. Heavy shit, and they're getting steadily more brutal and desperate, suggesting that what we're doing is working. Just last session they started putting viruses into peoples' cyber-brains and sending them back with the rest of the prisoners, driving whole hospitals full of people crazy. Assholes.
>>
>>19305382
Then I shall equip my neuter-clones with means to defend my children's happiness against disgusting vile things like your monstrous offspring! Every one of the girls will have neuter-kindred attached, modified with extreme protectiveness against anyone without proper genetic and quantum markers (OCD raised to extreme), high agression, extreme malleability and no skeleton, nstead they will have muscle-string serving as internal structure, with capability to use other muscles as backup. I will also have them uprgaded with olfactory organs capable of discerning genetic makeup and internal assembler vats for target-designed neurotoxins and acids.
Added advantage is that they can serve as guide-dog for the adult female daughters for whose needs the young siblings cater. Because the male offspring will be basically top of the line, and I will have the genetic switch in their semen activate in all female offspring, the line will propagate and grow.
>>
File: 1338419387133.jpg-(280 KB, 800x640, RTYPE_r9r_subkeratom2.jpg)
280 KB
>>19304722
>>19304754
>>19304762
Bydo thread? Bydo thread.
>>
>>19304947
Being a virgin I find this idea appealing but I am smart enough to know that incest is always a bad idea no matter how my dick reacts.
Still that gives me an idea for a race of deformed biomechanical monsters:
>The Inbred
Descendants those trapped on a cyberorganic brothel-space station when the nukes started flying. Now they come down from orbit for fresh genetics and uncorrupted code.
>>
>>19305480
...Y'know what? There's no way you could ever possibly afford any of this (and even if you do, by the time we get to this point in technology there will likely be laws preventing people from taking away the higher brain functions of other people for funsies), so you go ahead and have fun with your creepy fap fantasies.

Man, it's a harsh feeling to remember that /tg/ really is a part of 4chan.
>>
>>19305529
I also notice that nothing he said indicates a defense against lasers.
>>
>>19305460
It'd be interesting if your singularity project succeeded, but the newborn AI decided it liked the other faction better and became the Messiah, or took the place of God and created one.
>>
>and even if you do, by the time we get to this point in technology there will likely be laws preventing people from taking away the higher brain functions of other people for funsies

Oh you think so? What if it develops the other way? I mean, however we wish to think about it, up until recently abortion was banned almost everywhere in the west. I mean, what right do you have, in a free society, to limit my genetic expression, you bigot?
>>
>>19305541
Oh come on, might as well say it didn't include defense against hyperrapid rail slugs, it's basic package.
>>
File: 1338419911815.jpg-(47 KB, 918x620, whatthefuckamIreading.jpg)
47 KB
I thought only evil aliens used biotech?
>>
>>19305563
If we define removing higher brain function as harming a person, and we act to prevent harm, then society has the right to prevent you from removing higher brain function. There's no way to know whether this will happen.
>>
>>19305581
Your basic package seems to be designed entirely around short-range ground combat. That doesn't strike me as a very good idea, in a world where massive biological modification is normal.
>>
>>19305607
Only if they're classified as persons. The way I see it, they're science projects, the genetic makup is my property, and since they are developed with the higher brain function switch from birth, I am not harming them in any way. Or are you going to penalize people who decide to carry mentally handicapped fetuses to term?
>>
>>19305638
No, I mean the basic package everyone gets. Anti-projectile, anti-viral etc. Come on, in a world where people can shit ebola you think parents wouldn't buy basic defense packs for kids? Especially protective ones even install shields.
>>
>>19305667
The point where the issue is happens to be the switch, not the lack of higher brain function itself. If your science projects lacked higher brain function from the start, that might be fine, but you're letting them develop and then taking it away later, which I believe is likely to be defined as harm.
>>
>>19305563
Because altering other people who are fully grown adults does not count as your own genetic freedom.
>>
>>19305697
It's in their biology. It's no more harm than Octopi dying after mating or bees dying after stinging something.
>>
>>19305696
You haven't mentioned any sort of distance weapon, besides neurotoxins, which I assume can be spread, and acids, which must have some delivery method.
>>
>>19305697
So what's to stop them from removing the switch when they're 20 years old?
>>
>>19305709
It being in their biology doesn't make it not harm. By your logic, I am free to engineer suicide bombers who are fully normal and capable humans except for the remotely controlled high explosives strewn throughout their organs, and I am also free to detonate them whenever I please, for any reason.

I disagree with that.
>>
File: 1338420586706.jpg-(682 KB, 1200x1075, 6759567.jpg)
682 KB
>>19305716
>>
>>19305716
Yes. if everyone has anti-ranged protection, it'd be kinda pointless to equip them with ranged weapons, no?
>>19305725
Obedience of course. My markers have complete priority over their own decisions.
I mean I agree, doing it to a person would be awful, but since they're not defined as persons (any sane person makes sure their genetic material is registered as their own property, including any modifications or splices of it) it's not a problem. Really, you're stuck in a anachronist, bioconservative mindset anons. Get on with the times!
>>
>>19305767
> if everyone has anti-ranged protection, it'd be kinda pointless to equip them with ranged weapons, no?

No protection is perfect. Even the basic package you mentioned only includes a defense against projectiles, not beam weapons, radiation, fire, etc.
>>
>>19305767
Genetic material can be property. Human faculties, however, afford a being certain privileges, one of which is freedom. Your science projects would be defined as persons.
>>
>>19305806
Sure, grandpa. If it's copyrighted, you never lose copyrights (gawd bless ACTA, SOPA and the dozen others IP protection laws!) even if they happen to have temporary sentinence.

>Even the basic package you mentioned only includes a defense against projectiles, not beam weapons, radiation, fire, etc.
Do you really need everything spelled out for you, from A to Z? I never mentioned the ability to breath either, actually, I guess they're all dead now, right? Holy fuck, you ruined my property you fuck, my lawyer will be in contact.
>>
So the Fetishware cyper-organics are like the nymphs of greek mythology and they possess some shape-shifting ability to originally please any fetish but now they use that ability to disguise themselves.
Inbred fetishware colonies are highly dangerous and have to be wiped out by the military or heavily armed individuals for the safety of others
>>
>>19305848
Copyrights expire. IP protection laws are superseded by the U.N., which, thankfully, has been much improved and well-behaved since the purges. Temporary sentience is not a legal term. Sentience itself grants rights, and no claim to ownership of genetic material affects that granting of rights. See the case against AlphaLombard.

If you want people to understand what the basic package entails, explain it. Don't expect a mere "etc." to automatically enlighten everyone in the room.
>>
>>19305873
Now that's an interesting version of Blade Runner.
>>
File: 1338421428415.jpg-(981 KB, 1300x1255, 7543985.jpg)
981 KB
>I never mentioned the ability to breath either, actually, I guess they're all dead now, right?

Well, yes.
>>
>>19305505
>>19305873
Wherever there's one Inbred
there's another 10 hiding behind the corner
>>
>IP protection laws are superseded by the U.N
Please, only in the states under UN jurisdiction. Which currently mean South America, parts of US and Britain. Unified German Debtor Group has no such limitations, neither does the Sino-morphic Asiatic Sphere.

OOC, I find it absoultely hilarious how people defend poor, downtrodden equivalent of insect drones just because they happen to derive from humans. Theoretical drones I might add. If only anon presented such fervour in helping actual people something might actually improve. But then again, hobos are not as nice as braindead sex slaves I guess.
>>
>>19305959
OOC, insect drones do not have human intelligence or self-awareness. You might consider your hypothetical creations drones, but others disagree. Here on /tg/, all we can do is argue. There's no way to know which side would actually win out in the future.

As for helping actual people, I'm just waiting for the hyperbenevolent aliens to descend and say to all, "It was entirely within your power to solve all of these problems, to feed, clothe, and protect everyone. You are too young for space travel."
>>
>OOC, insect drones do not have human intelligence or self-awareness.

Ah, but if they did? Imagine your typical hive species, except the drones are self-aware, and yet still compelled to work under the queen's influence? Would you get your awful anthropocentric boots into it and try to "free" the drones ,despite the fact that they're specifically evolved to be just that, drones, and will die out winthin generation because only queens breed?
>>
>>19305873
Zooware beings were originally designed to give birth to any endangered animal, raise the creature to function in the wilderness and among their own species, protect them from poachers, and keep the animals alive.
Nowadays: they have their own nation, they lead dire wolves into battle, and they operate embassy/hospitals all over the world
>>
>>19306051
Depends on what means I have access to. If liberating the drones means the loss of the species, then I wouldn't free them. If I could alter their species, using the awesome biotech we've been talking about, how their species has evolved isn't much of a barrier.

This is why we used to have the Prime Directive, for the five minutes it lasted.
>>
>>19306121
So you would change the species to your liking, and yet you say I cannot because it offends your delicate sensibilities. I hope you enjoy hypocrisy because your post's full of it.
>>
>>19306135
I would, because I consider self-awareness and freedom worthy of protection. My position is not hypocritical, but it is different from yours. I don't know why you would care about the natural order of this species, given what you are creating.
>>
>I consider self-awareness and freedom worthy of protection.
At all cost? Is self-awareness better than survival?
>>
>>19306179
No, which is why I stated that I would not free the drones if it would kill the species.
>>
In retrospect, giving yourself Dissociative Identity Disorder is kind of tame in comparison to what could be.
>>
>>19306097
So far I have 2 cyberorganic races established,
>Zooware: ranger/healer/beastmasters
>Fetishware: shapeshifting hivemind pariahs
now i just need a couple more races....
>>
I'm studying to become a biotechnloist.
I don't see biotech for human enhancement applications, beyond designing babies. I think cybernetics are the way: "biomedical engineering".

That said, life is very good at flourishing, going where it doesn't belong, and thriving. I see it as a main force in terraforming, agriculture, and food production, as well as some novelty products.

And guaranteed, if we are at war with an alien race, we ARE going to use biological weapons.
>>
>>19302777
>Tell me, /tg/. Will you engage in body modification when >this science is advanced to the point where living >human beings' bodies can be radically changed, >reshaped and improved, to whatever you like?

Hells yes. Some of it quite /d/eviant so I'll not shit up the thread with that, other bits meant to be way more comfortable and survivable, among other things.
Plain human body is too damned frail, too boring, too limited.
>>
>>19302414
>only criterion
Respect!
>>
File: 1338441291553.jpg-(61 KB, 1174x383, xmultboss.jpg)
61 KB
>>19305696
So we've reached a point where everyone who can afford to is turning their children into walking bioweapons facilities?
I get the feeling 'apes and angels' is going to turn rather quickly into 'apes and demons'.
>>
being a male with mild autism spectrum, I would not mind having my mental capacity being altered so that way i could have a real, intimate, relationship with a girl.
...I could also live independently...
>>
File: 1338443251595.png-(54 KB, 420x294, 1329290952410_8506729.png)
54 KB
>>19310290
in the future, vagina dentata will be a very real threat
>>
>>19307541
Bah! What good is biotech being awesome if all it does is more of the same 'quality of care and life' improvements? That's necessary but very boring stuff.

Cybernetics suck. You have to run maintenance on them, buy parts, buy skilled labor to fix any tiny little broken bit, have to worry about defective parts, are more difficult to wire to the brain so that one can actually feel normal sensations from them, and so on. Ghost in the Shell may be fun, but that's no more 'realistic' than biotech enhancements and body mods.
>>
File: 1338468336639.jpg-(88 KB, 536x768, 1336689553833.jpg)
88 KB
Shameless thematic redirection in the manner of my choosing http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/18973980/
>>
File: 1338483720536.jpg-(58 KB, 800x600, sgjokerbab.jpg)
58 KB
>>19313303
>Cybernetics suck. You have to run maintenance on them, buy parts, buy skilled labor to fix any tiny little broken bit, have to worry about defective parts

You kind of have to do that stuff already, and when things do go badly wrong they tend to be a lot harder to fix.
>>
>>19314634
Meh, bio can heal, and we just have to undo that little regen limiter in a way that won't cause cancers to solve the really bad injuries.

BTW, well done on the rather disturbing image.
>>
File: 1338498691027.jpg-(88 KB, 550x457, Kaypro-PC-front.jpg)
88 KB
>>19315732
>we just have to undo that little regen limiter in a way that won't cause cancers to solve the really bad injuries
>just

That word is a bit problematic here. If you look at the words used by people working on tissue regenration, you see a lot of "significantly advance the goal of curing cancer within 30 years". Meanwhile if you talk to people working on neurally-controlled prosthetics, the words you hear are more along the lines of "working prototype" and "ready to begin human testing". If you're lucky they might even give you a demonstration.

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjzA9b9T3d8

So let's say in 30 years biotech researchers can regrow a man's arm. 30 years from now, today's cutting-edge robotics will look like the first generation of DOS computers. How is biotech going to catch up with that?
>>
>>19314634
Poor buddy.
I hope someday that kind of bioengineering will make their life better.


Delete Post [File Only] Password
Style
[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
[Disable Mobile View / Use Desktop Site]

- futaba + yotsuba -
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective parties. Images uploaded are the responsibility of the Poster. Comments are owned by the Poster.