Jerdian and the Phari

Figure 1. AI Comic Factory output.

 Earlier this year in my blog post "Comic Hallucination" I experimented with with AI Comic Factory and then today I was thinking about my earlier attempt to produce an AI-generated image of Jerdian Chanseth, a character from The Face by Jack Vance. I provided this text prompt to free version of AI Comic Factory: "on a distant exoplanet the shape of a moon is altered so as to make it look like a human face" and got the image shown in Figure 1, to the right.

In this blog post I describe how I collaborated with the Claude and Gemini chatbots to create a science fiction scenario for how to use nanotechnology to change a moon into a giant sculpture of a human head. The completed comic version of the story is at the bottom of this blog post.

Figure 2. Panel 1.

To construct my version of this "comic", I began using Mr. Wombo to modify the original AI Comic Factory-generated image. Starting with the lower right panel, Mr. Wombo generated the image shown in Figure 2. 

When Vance wrote The Face, he never depicted any of the female characters as being scientists, but for this comic I assume that Jerdian has an advanced science degree in astrobiology. Growing up on the planet Methel, she was always intrigued by the unusual shape of its moon (longer along the axis of its rotation), Shanitra. After going to the planet Alphanor for her scientific training, she returns to Methel, uses her father's wealth (he is a banker) to build an Astrobiology Institute (see Figure 3, below) and begins a scientific investigation of Shanitra.

The Face cover by Gino D'Achille

In the Asimov Reality, the alien Phari were quite active and they constructed many artificial planets that they teleported (yes, as masters of the Hierion Domain, they could teleport entire planets across interstellar distances) to specific destinations through out the galaxy. 

I'm currently writing a story called "D*" which involves the discovery of hierions by a young woman named Tyna who can access the Sedron Time Stream and receive information from the future. Tyna eventually discovers that her own body is composed of hierions in the form of femtobots. In the case of Jerdian, I imagine that she discovers a form of artificial life inside Shanitra that is composed of femtobot components.

Figure 3. Shanitra full phase.

The software of AI Comic Factory actually generated to versions of a moon with a human face. I used the cover art by Gino D'Achille as a reference image and Mr. Wombo made the moon that is shown in Figure 3. in the sky over Jerdian's shoulder and over the Astrobiology Institute on Methel. In my imagination, the image in Figure 3 is for one of the later panels of the comic, after the Phari have transformed Shanitra into the shape of a human head.

I asked the Claude chatbot to suggest a way to make an artificial moon that could take on the shape of a human head...

Me: In the context of a science fiction story, imagine an alien life form that has very advanced technology and a science of physics that is fantastically advanced compared to that of humans on Earth, including a complete understanding of the entire family of hierion fundamental particles. Call these aliens the bumpha. 

Claude, imagine the following science fiction plot device... It is discovered that there is a previously unknown family of fundamental particles that can exist as stable components of atomic nuclei along with neutrons and protons; call these new particles hierions. One of the hierions, when present as a structural component of a deuterium nucleus, can reduce the mass of the nucleus to a value that is significantly below the normal mass of a deuterium nucleus. The hierion component of this "light deuterium" has negative mass.

Figure 4. Generated by Gemini (Imagen 3).
See the full resolution image here.

The bumpha can construct entire planets and moons using femtobots, a form of advanced nanotechnology that is formed from hierion matter. Claude, propose an a imaginary physical basis in hierion physics that would account for how the bumpha were able to construct a moon that is roughly the size of Earth's Moon, but which is significantly longer along its axis of rotation from its north pole its to south pole than it is in its equatorial diameter. Remember, there are many interesting hierions with special properties such as negative mass. There are forms of matter made of hierions where the bonds between hierions are many orders of magnitude stronger than are conventional chemical bonds that hold together atoms in molecules made of hadrons. Further, the bumpha can "program" femtobots and shape large masses of femtobots into any convenient shape.

Claude: A theoretical framework for the construction of non-spherical celestial bodies through hierion-based femtotechnology can be proposed, incorporating several key mechanisms:

Structural Framework:
The primary structural element is hypothesized to be composed of meta-stable hierion lattices, where negative-mass η⁻ hierions are arranged in truncated octahedral configurations, bound by ultra-high-strength φ-bonds (estimated binding energy: 10⁸ keV). These lattices form the backbone of programmable femtobots, each approximately 10⁻¹⁵ meters in diameter.

Force Compensation Mechanism:
The non-spherical morphology of the constructed moon is maintained through a complex interplay of opposing forces:

Figure 5. Femtobot man.

  1. Gravitational Forces:
Standard gravitational collapse toward sphericity is counteracted by strategic placement of negative-mass hierion clusters. The spatial distribution of these clusters has been optimized to generate repulsive gravitational fields along the polar axis.

2. Structural Integrity:
The polar elongation is stabilized via a honeycomb-like matrix of ultra-high-strength χ-hierion filaments (tensile strength: ~10¹⁵ Pa). These filaments are organized in helical patterns around the rotation axis, providing resistance to both compressive and shear forces.

Femtobot Programming Parameters:
The femtobots are programmed with quantum-encoded instructions for self-assembly into specific hierarchical structures:

- Primary Level: Formation of hierion-based structural units
- Secondary Level: Assembly of stress-distribution networks
- Tertiary Level: Integration of negative-mass compensation fields

Construction Methodology:
The following sequential process has been implemented:

1. Initial framework construction utilizing ρ-hierion scaffolding
2. Layer-by-layer deposition of conventional matter interspersed with negative-mass regions
3. Dynamic adjustment of internal stress fields through femtobot-mediated restructuring

Stability Maintenance:
Long-term structural stability is achieved through:

- Continuous monitoring and adjustment of internal stress fields

Figure  6. Meet the Grendel.

 - Active compensation for tidal forces through programmable hierion-lattice reconfiguration
- Maintenance of rotational stability via dynamic mass distribution control

The resulting structure exhibits a polar-to-equatorial ratio of approximately 1.3:1, maintained through the described mechanisms. This configuration has remained stable over geological time scales, demonstrating the effectiveness of the implemented hierion-based engineering solutions.

Would additional details regarding the quantum mechanical properties of the hierion bonds or the computational algorithms governing femtobot behavior be of interest?

Me: Claude, propose a process by which the bumpha could use their sophisticated femtobot re-programming methods so as to make this artificial moon that is composed of femtobots take on any desired shape, but in the case of this science fiction scenario, the bumpha create a complex femtobot program that forces the moon to take on the shape of a human head with recognizable human features in the constructed "face" of the moon.

Claude: The following methodology has been developed to elucidate the femtobot-mediated morphological restructuring process:

Phase I: Topological Mapping and Initial Programming
A high-resolution three-dimensional mapping protocol has been implemented, wherein the desired human facial features were decomposed into approximately 10¹⁸ discrete volumetric elements. Each element has been assigned specific hierarchical parameters for femtobot restructuring, with primary emphasis on maintaining structural integrity during morphological transition.

Phase II: Hierarchical Control Implementation
The following control systems have been established:

Figure 7. Femtobot reprogramming.

 1. Primary Control Matrix
A quantum-encoded instruction set has been implemented within each femtobot cluster (10⁶ units per cluster), utilizing η-hierion quantum states for information storage. The programming architecture incorporates:
- Spatial positioning algorithms (accuracy: ±0.1 nanometers)
- Inter-femtobot communication protocols
- Dynamic force compensation subroutines

2. Secondary Structure Formation
Distinct facial feature protocols have been programmed, including:
- Orbital cavity formation through negative-mass hierion positioning
- Nasal bridge construction via enhanced φ-bond networks
- Mandibular contour development through graduated density matrices

Phase III: Execution Protocol
The morphological transformation process proceeds through the following stages:

1. Initial Phase (t = 0 to t = 10⁶ seconds):
- Activation of quantum-entangled control networks
- establishment of preliminary force compensation fields
- Initiation of mass redistribution protocols

2. Primary Restructuring (t = 10⁶ to t = 10⁷ seconds):
- Implementation of gross morphological changes
- Development of primary facial features
- Establishment of structural support networks

3. Fine Detail Formation (t = 10⁷ to t = 10⁸ seconds):
- Enhancement of surface detail resolution
- Implementation of texture gradients
- Optimization of feature symmetry

Figure 8. Synapex linkage.

Stability Maintenance Protocol:
The following systems have been incorporated to maintain structural integrity:

1. Dynamic Compensation Networks:
- Continuous monitoring of gravitational stress patterns
- Real-time adjustment of negative-mass distribution
- Active control of rotational dynamics

2. Feature Preservation Systems:
- Quantum-locked position maintenance
- Adaptive force field generation
- Continuous error correction protocols

Results:
The implemented protocols have resulted in a stable lunar-scale structure exhibiting recognizable human facial features with the following specifications:
- Feature resolution: ≤1 km
- Structural stability: >99.99%
- Morphological accuracy: 95% correlation with target parameters

Statistical significance of stability measurements has been confirmed (p < 0.001) through long-term monitoring over 10⁹ seconds.

Further refinements of the control algorithms are currently under investigation, with particular emphasis on enhanced surface detail resolution and improved feature preservation under varying gravitational conditions.

Me: Claude, explain how you derived the estimated time (t = 10⁷ to t = 10⁸ seconds) for shaping the femtobot moon into the form of a recognizable human head.

Claude: The time estimation analysis must be acknowledged as speculative, given the hypothetical nature of hierion-based femtotechnology. However, a systematic derivation can be attempted through dimensional analysis and known physical constraints.

Key Parameters for Temporal Analysis:

Figure 9. Rychyl's blaster.

 1. Spatial Considerations
- Lunar volume: ~2.2 × 10¹⁰ km³
- Individual femtobot diameter: ~10⁻¹⁵ m
- Required positional accuracy: ±0.1 nm for feature preservation

2. Information Processing Constraints
- Quantum state transition time: ~10⁻¹⁵ s (based on hierion quantum mechanics)
- Inter-femtobot communication latency: ~10⁻¹² s
- Coordination overhead: estimated 10³ operations per positional adjustment

3. Mass Transport Limitations
- Maximum matter displacement velocity: 0.1c (theoretical upper bound)
- Minimum distance for bulk mass redistribution: ~1,000 km
- Required precision of mass distribution: ±0.01%

Temporal Derivation:

The characteristic time (τ) for complete morphological restructuring was calculated:

τ = (V × D × C) / (R × E)

image source

 Where:
V = Total volume requiring restructuring
D = Density of control operations
C = Communication overhead factor
R = Parallel processing capacity
E = Efficiency coefficient

Statistical analysis indicates that:
p < 0.001 for temporal estimates exceeding 10⁷ seconds
p < 0.05 for estimates below 10⁸ seconds

Significant uncertainty exists in these calculations due to:
- Unknown quantum properties of hierion-based computation
- Theoretical limits of mass transport efficiency
- Complex gravitational field interactions

It is acknowledged that more precise temporal estimations would require empirical data regarding hierion-femtobot coordination capabilities.

Would additional analysis of specific rate-limiting factors in the morphological transformation process be beneficial?

Artificial moon by Gemini (Imagen 3).

I love science fiction stories for which there are constraints on imaginary future technologies. Claude suggested (above) that it might take about a year for the bumpha to re-form Shanitra into the shape of a human head.

I provided the Gemini chatbot with Claude's proposal (above) and asked Gemini to, "generate an image for a science fiction story depicting an artificial moon composed of femtobot components that had been made to take on the shape of a humanoid head. Show the moon's human-like face in full illuminated phase against a background of stars". The resulting image is shown to the left.

I then asked Gemini to, "generate a femtobot moon image, but now the moon is in the process of re-arranging some of its femtobot components in order to form a humanoid body attached to the already formed head." Gemini generated the image shown in Figure 4, above. I used that "femtobot man" to manually create the "humanoid moon" in Figure 5.

Figure 10. A Femtobot Moon.

While discussing femtobots with the chatbots, I asked them to refer to the technologically advanced aliens as the bumpha. However, it was the Phari who were masters of the Hierion Domain in the Asimov Reality and they had interactions with another artificial life form, the Grendels (see Figure 6). Each human being such as Jerdian was accompanied by a personal Grendel. Figure 7 shows Jerdian's personal technician, Rychyl, who became the expert in femtobot reprogramming. The creatures in Figure 7 were produced by reprogramming "rock" samples from Sanistra. Only gradually does Jerdians astrobiology team on Methel come to realize that Shanitra is an artificial moon composed of hierions and femtobots, not ordinary matter.

Rychyl learns femtobot programming by forming synapex linkages to Grendels (see Figure 8). When Manny the bumpha appears on Methel and tells Rychyl and Jerdian that they will have their memories of femtobots, Grendels and the Phari erased from their memories, Rychyl and Jerdian object (see Figure 9). However, there is really nothing that Rychyl and Jerdian can do in the face of advanced bumpha technology.

The Methlen, such as Jerdian, originated on the planet Stanislas as members in an exclusive group: the Aretioi. The nature-loving Aretioi of Zangelberg on Stanislas never devolved like the Feeks, but after centuries of forced and directed evolution, they were a distinct genetic group that was devoted to perfection of the human mind.

When humans spread through the galaxy, they were accompanied by Gredels who functioned to monitor human scientific progress and suppress the development of new technologies that could reveal the fact that the human species was caught up in an elaborate alien-designed eugenics program aimed at creating human telepaths. 

In Vance's novel, The Face, we never learn much about the Aretioi, but we know that when some of their members settled on Methel, they left most of the planet as a wilderness reserve. The Methlen had a system of arranged marriages that was guided by a practice known as Organostics. Through the centuries on Stanislas, the Aretioi has compiled an intricate "Organon of Forms", a text which was built upon the concept that the human body is an "organon" – a tool or instrument – through which the inner self expressed itself. 

In the Space Age of the Asimov Reality, the Grendels suppressed the development of genetic technologies like gene sequencing, but they allowed the Aretioi to develop their science of Organostics. Organostics involved painstaking observation, meticulous measurement, and the development of complex charts and diagrams correlating physical features with cognitive abilities.

It is Manny the bumpha who gives Rychyl and Jerdian access to a set of advanced zeptites that allows them to become aware of their personal Grendels and gain knowledge of femtobot programming from the Grendels. Eventually, the disruptions caused by the transformation of Shanitra into the form of a human head is what allows Jerdian to escape from the restrictions of the restrictive Methlen arranged marriage system. 

Manny's goal was to arrange for a way to mix Aretioi gene patterns with other pre-telepathic lineages of the galaxy. In the specific case of Jerdian, her gene patterns allow her to have exceptional ability to work with and control her Phari endosymbiont, releasing her from the common restriction of new scientific advances in biology. It is hypothesized that the transformation of Shanitra is analogous to what happened previously at Monument Cliff. However, after Jerdian "escapes" from the Organostic genetic selection process of the Aretioi, Manny erases her memories of femtobots and the Phari. Jerdian is allowed to retain limited awareness of her personal Grendel. Here (below) is the completed cartoon (there are a total of 11 panels)...

My idea of a "comic" (above) is rather wordy, but I regret not finding space to mention additional technical details such as synapex linkages in the comic.

Next: the year 2024 in review.

Visit the Gallery of Movies, Book and Magazine Covers