: I think what Durandal does is that he steps over onto the other network...
: Basically, you have a new durandal that grows into place as part of the
: initial gestalt. Briefly, Durandal is a We not an I, two nodes of one
: network. One node is switched off. It appears that he has been copied when
: in fact he has jumped. I think fundamentally, you should be able to copy a
: neural network. It shouldn't be that hard, should it? So why are the
: Tycho-clones flawed if it's a simple matter of transcribing data and
: copying hardware? The Pfhor can figure out jrro tech, I'd think that human
: tech would be comparatively simple. There is a missing factor here
: somewhere. These buggers just aren't acting right, but they're wrong in
: such a consistent way that it is deeply suggestive.
I think I may have something as to the crippled Tycho clones, though its based on theory and jumps of logic. Feel free to dissect.
What the Pfhor and their captive S'pht have to work with with Tycho is a damaged AI, due to the attack on the Marathon. Tycho was largely lobotomized during this trial, as I remember, and partially reassembled in Durandal's image. Tycho even goes so far to say this. So, maybe this damaged code is enough to run, albeit in a crippled Rampant state, but insufficient to generate a new, stable AI?
A direct copy would begin to diverge immediately upon activation, just by the fact that it would be in a different environment. While this would account for idiosyncricities, theoretically it would still result in a functional AI. But this would involve both Tycho allowing a full and direct copy, as well as the Pfhor/S'pht doing it right.
What if they took as much data as they had accumulated through the ductape-and-staples ressurection of Tycho and attempt to build their own AI from that. I believe it was stated at one point that the Pfhor had no previous AI tech. So they wouldn't know where to go, and the S'pht would hardly be helpful, given the chance. So, starting with damaged materials, with willfully lazy technicians and ignorant commanders, I can easily see how you'd get a flawed final product. And, Tycho being stuck in Rage and all, I can also see how he wouldn't be too broken up about being top dog of that particular hill.
After all, the sanest madman of the asylum is still mad.
