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This topic has moved here: Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution (V2)
  • Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution (V2)
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution (V2)

Halo 2 is the best

Best thread, ever.

  • 05.30.2010 4:04 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.6

Posted by: Lord Snakie

Posted by: EmbodyingEarth
Lord Snakie, I have a feeling you and I will not be friends.

What, because I tell the truth and know my facts? Stupid reason to be enemies.


I never said enemies. You are countering all my statements with info and saying Halo wikia is not that resourceful. I feel more like a rivalry than anything else.

I WILL NOT GIVE UP.

  • 05.30.2010 6:40 PM PDT

GT: tehkingofstupid

Shoot first, then ask ques--actually, just keep shooting.

Okay, several things to say and ask:
1. Snakie, we should make a bungie group. 2. are halo bibles real? if so, i want one. where can i get it? 3. i think bungie should make a game or a book or at least a storyline claryfying who/ what the precursors are and wtf happened to them. 4. Snakie, you are a god. 5. how come i dont get a cookie :(?

  • 06.02.2010 9:41 PM PDT

GT: tehkingofstupid

Shoot first, then ask ques--actually, just keep shooting.

El Diablo2710, read the word trans and sentience in a dictionary. piece it together and-- aww hell ill just tell ya. the prefix "trans-" is often defined as beyond, and sentience is when a species' brain develops to the point where the organism can perform and complete difficult mental tasks. if that wasnt brain-melting enough, trans sentience would suggest that the precursors were beyond sentience, basically placing them at a higher capacity of thought processing and memory storage than 10 individual forerunners or on one of our state-of-the-art supercomputers. so yeah, bluntly stated, they were classified as divine/cosmic beings,almost, note the word ALMOST, godlike.

  • 06.02.2010 9:54 PM PDT

First off, Lord Snakie, kudos to you. That was brilliantly thought out, with a lot of evidence, and formatted nicely. I think this theory helped me enjoy my Coke and Skittlles more than usual.

Now, I have an idea that may back up some of your claims (forgive me if this has been brought up earlier, or if I missed a part in the OPs'). On the level Halo in Halo 3 Gravemind states,
"I have defeated fleets of thousands! Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!"
Now, one can believe that Gravemind is referring to the Flood-Forerunner War, however, the Flood did not succeed in destroying the galaxy. The Forerunners successfully fired the Halos and stop them in their tracks for 100,000 years. The galaxy was repopulated.

I believe, having red your theory that the Gravemind is alluding to the Flood-Precursor War, because, if we follow your theory of (near)total annihilation, then he would have truly have commused an entire galaxy, because, if the Precursors were gone, then what in the world would stop the Flood invading the entire galaxy, and it would bring truth to his quote, that he did, in fact, consume an entire galaxy, and every little living thing in it.

Also, just something to think about, while looking at the Halo Evolutions page on Halopedia, I came across some information. It stated that the Gravemind had consumed other A.I's. How would he do this, unless he was created in a similar fashion (E.I)? If he was created as you say is there a chance he is able to blend the computer programming of an A.I with his own D.N.A?

Thanks again for such a thoughtful post.

  • 06.11.2010 3:17 AM PDT

To the OP: Best thread I have ever seen on these boards.
I will be pondering that for quite some time... I especially like your flood is a precursor experiment theory.

I can see the precursors also becoming a bit of the Stargate universes ancients, ascending to beings of pure energy and then not giving a crap about the material world. So it's possible that the flood experiment, or just a lucky race from another galaxy was just left to it's own devices.

[Edited on 06.11.2010 4:52 AM PDT]

  • 06.11.2010 4:39 AM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Rolling Flame
Also, just something to think about, while looking at the Halo Evolutions page on Halopedia, I came across some information. It stated that the Gravemind had consumed other A.I's. How would he do this, unless he was created in a similar fashion (E.I)? If he was created as you say is there a chance he is able to blend the computer programming of an A.I with his own D.N.A?

To be honest, I have absolutely no idea how something like that would be accomplished. Even if he blended his DNA in such a way to link with an AI--which I don't even think is possible--it wouldn't necessarily be proof. It'd be a great, great boon, but not precisely proof.

I've read Evolutions, but I just finished it three days ago now. I've yet to edit in my thoughts about that story supporting this theory.

  • 06.11.2010 11:34 AM PDT

Matthew Dylan Cady

I agree wit this theory, but say the precursors didn't create the flood, if they didn't then who could have done this? It comes to real logic here, how are the parasites we see today made? where did they come from? The by asking that question, how were WE, humans, even forerunner, or precursor, covenant, or anything else alive out there created? Obviously parasites are created by reproduction, however the flood is no ordinary parasite, this one consumes everything the host has to offer. Like you said, that includes its intelligence. If they all (the flood) give to re-produce, what could have made the gravemind? I do love the theory of the gravemind being an AI. Now obviously the flood we saw in the games never held and forerunner, precursor technology. This leads me to believe the gravemind that creates this kind of flood, is not the same as the gravemind in the forerunner, or precursor days. Meaning all information gathered from those highly intelligent beings was lost. Which clearly explains why we never saw astonishing technology by the flood in the games. Still the theory the the precursors them selves created the flood is likely, and I agree with that. I don't think the precursor's were obliterated though, since they can travel between galaxies I'm quite sure they simply retreated. Although this theory isn't 100% accurate, judging how the first encounter was in the forerunner days. Still there is a lot to learn, and I have a feeling this is simply the beginning.

Sincerely, Matthew.

  • 06.13.2010 11:35 PM PDT

GT: tehkingofstupid

Shoot first, then ask ques--actually, just keep shooting.

if you read last voyage of the infinite succor in the halo graphic novel, you see some flood forms integrated into machinery, so that further supports the theory that the gravemind/flood is/are a(n) A.I or a(n) E.I, like in snakie's theory, so if he's right on this, he could be right on many levels of his theory.

  • 06.14.2010 12:23 AM PDT

GT: tehkingofstupid

Shoot first, then ask ques--actually, just keep shooting.

In the phrase provided by Rolling Flame, note how the Gravemind, instead of saying THE galaxy, he says A galaxy. I do believe your theory is coming together as easily as a 4-piece puzzle; as soon as we remember and/or retrieve a piece of (quite invaluable to this subject)information, the theory is sounding more and more like a fact rather than a theory.
Posted by: Rolling Flame
First off, Lord Snakie, kudos to you. That was brilliantly thought out, with a lot of evidence, and formatted nicely. I think this theory helped me enjoy my Coke and Skittlles more than usual.

Now, I have an idea that may back up some of your claims (forgive me if this has been brought up earlier, or if I missed a part in the OPs'). On the level Halo in Halo 3 Gravemind states,
"I have defeated fleets of thousands! Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!"
Now, one can believe that Gravemind is referring to the Flood-Forerunner War, however, the Flood did not succeed in destroying the galaxy. The Forerunners successfully fired the Halos and stop them in their tracks for 100,000 years. The galaxy was repopulated.

I believe, having red your theory that the Gravemind is alluding to the Flood-Precursor War, because, if we follow your theory of (near)total annihilation, then he would have truly have commused an entire galaxy, because, if the Precursors were gone, then what in the world would stop the Flood invading the entire galaxy, and it would bring truth to his quote, that he did, in fact, consume an entire galaxy, and every little living thing in it.

Also, just something to think about, while looking at the Halo Evolutions page on Halopedia, I came across some information. It stated that the Gravemind had consumed other A.I's. How would he do this, unless he was created in a similar fashion (E.I)? If he was created as you say is there a chance he is able to blend the computer programming of an A.I with his own D.N.A?

Thanks again for such a thoughtful post.

  • 06.14.2010 12:29 AM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution (V2)

Has life ever felt like a really bad sitcom?

Yeah, I have to agree with everything your saying. Totally awesome theory, I don't think it even deserves to be called a theory; bungie itself probably didn't get this far into the history of the precursors/flood so they'll probably just go along with what you came up with, no offense to the bungie people.

  • 06.14.2010 4:01 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.6

Snakie, how do you have the time to come up with such theories? Honestly, I would never be able to come up with something as brilliant as this.

I agree with your theory on the flood being a controlled experiment. Maybe the Precursors wanted to become the Flood. Maybe they are the Flood.

If they weren't an experiment, it's possible they slowly consumed the Precursor life that existed, spreading the infection.

Great job.

[Edited on 07.15.2010 6:12 PM PDT]

  • 07.15.2010 5:37 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.6
  • gamertag: x1993
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Don't scream, it will only make me laugh.

Nice theory well thought out, and well POSSIBLE!

Question 1: why not use a technological rather than biological memory retrieval system?

Question 2: Likely they had movies or stories of a creator's creation turning on them (like Terminator or Frankenstein's monster) and would have put precautions in place, after all they lasted long enough to become Trans-sentient so shouldn't they have seen it comming?

Although we really, really like your theory, it just seems too... well predictable for such an advanced race.

  • 08.05.2010 11:48 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Dark Scion
Question 1: why not use a technological rather than biological memory retrieval system?

Because the memories are stored in the brain of the deceased. A technological system--at least, none that we know of--could access such memories. But a virus, like the Flood, an organic storage system? They can gain access, even after death.


Question 2: Likely they had movies or stories of a creator's creation turning on them (like Terminator or Frankenstein's monster) and would have put precautions in place, after all they lasted long enough to become Trans-sentient so shouldn't they have seen it comming?
Safeguards were put in place. In fact, I theorize that they programmed the Flood on the genetic level not to disobey them or to operate out of perimeters. When the Gravemind became sentient it instantly hit that barrier and was forced to smash through it, causing the Precursor to have inadvertently created the rampancy of the being they were trying to control.

  • 08.06.2010 9:47 AM PDT

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Interesting theories, specifically citing the new additions since I read it a long time ago.

I'm still interested the most by the definition of trans-sentience. Everything is dependent upon that singular definition, at least in my eyes. The concepts you've laid out are interesting, but I find them to be more of wild fan-fiction of sorts. This is sorta my version of a wild fan-fiction-theory-compilation of sorts on the subject. Whatever you want to call it.

Personally, I look at trans-sentience as a breaking of the third dimension. The fourth dimension, time, becomes their native home at that point. Sentience is very grounded in the third dimension. We can conceptualize the 4th dimension, but we can't see it or truly understand it. Its beyond comprehension as are the others beyond that.

I think that trans-sentience symbolizes the shift from their existence within our dimension (the third dimension) to a fourth dimension (time), perhaps explaining their ability to manipulate evolution and their heightened intelligence. Their on a physically different plain of existence.

Its like the idea that if people existed on a two dimensional surface or were "flatlanders," they wouldn't really comprehend our third dimension. We'd be nearly invisible to their eyes much as the Precursors would be to our 3rd dimension.

I imagine the Precursors obtaining that level and essentially vanishing at that point to expand beyond the confines of this spiral galaxy. The Forerunner were probably close to this achievement, but were halted by the extragalactic Flood. I personally, for the sake of story, like to imagine the Flood without an origin to contain that sense of horror within them. Just my thoughts, bit unorganized and not heavily researched.

[Edited on 08.06.2010 1:16 PM PDT]

  • 08.06.2010 1:15 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: x Lord Revan x
Your theories about their existing within the fourth dimension are fascinating, and seems to have at least some basis in how they can advance evolution. Previously it was wondered what was meant by that, seeing as "evolution" is a natural process, but if they can move throughout time it would explain how they can accelerate something that naturally takes time. It wouldn't be a factor for them.

If there's space in the OP (I think there's a bit left in OP 4), I'll add your theory and update the thread to V2.7.

  • 08.06.2010 1:45 PM PDT
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Deva Path


Posted by: DecepticonCobra

We are all going to get banned aren't we?


Posted by: Lord Snakie
Posted by: x Lord Revan x
Your theories about their existing within the fourth dimension are fascinating, and seems to have at least some basis in how they can advance evolution. Previously it was wondered what was meant by that, seeing as "evolution" is a natural process, but if they can move throughout time it would explain how they can accelerate something that naturally takes time. It wouldn't be a factor for them.

If there's space in the OP (I think there's a bit left in OP 4), I'll add your theory and update the thread to V2.7.


snakie if you want to look into that kinda stuff you should look at this star trek info. It seems similar to what reven is talking about and highly interesting.

Species 8472

Fluidic space

borg- species war

  • 08.06.2010 2:07 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution (V2)

Oh. I was just trying to shoot those birds with this here jello-shooter.
-noob using a fuel rod gun

Social Infection

its fans like you who (I am certain) actually help bungie map out the canon even further. Although I haven't read it all yet, what you have set in motion, although non-existent yet, could prove to be the origin of what will become the truth of it. You may have helped develop canon or at least guide it and keep it in check. Good job. I will read the rest later.

  • 08.07.2010 2:03 AM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.6

Oh. I was just trying to shoot those birds with this here jello-shooter.
-noob using a fuel rod gun

Social Infection

I think that the flood encountering precursors in battle would only prove to end the flood. They wouldn't stand a chance. I also think that A gravemind only has access to knowledge from the infected in the planet it is on. If spores from other graveminds exchanged knowledge across the stars, then I think they would be able have more unified knowledge.

in terms of precursors creating the flood, this would make more sense. But also as they consume more lifeforms, they would become dumber. I think this because the flood too, must eventually degrade or die even if they have some sort of hibernation. If we are talking about millions of years ago, even the flood cannot remember, especially if they had no new food source to repopulate to sustain the memories and the gravemind(s). But if they consumed forerunners, then perhaps they relearned some old tricks, but far less potent. And even in the year 2552, they must also have lost some knowledge of the forerunners as well without food for THAT long as well. Like anything, biological or mechanical, memory or data need to be housed in a safe area that is being replenished so that the data or memory doesn't corrupt or get lost.

in terms of gravemind sentience, I remember somewhere learning that the gravemind builds and builds as the flood infect, and after a certain point, the building becomes lifelike and utilzes knowledge to be a mind of its own, but it always follows the same path of destruction, which is odd, that every time a gravemind forms it desires the same thing. I believe that the gravemind was built corruptly. Perhaps once it takes on too many conflicting personalities or the fragments of them, it becomes enraged within itself at its conflicting fragments, as the gravemind would be an impure being, where as if it was just holding the memories apart, it would not be in conflict. So it feeds on the hatred that the memroeis have of each other and act on all of them at once trying to consume all, which enrages it more as it gathers more conflicting thoughts. The precursors may have only gotten to the proto-flood as we know them, but were unable to contain them and study them for fixing them. They may not have had defense systems or weapons prompting them to flee the galaxy, but leaving behind the means to keep the flood at bay, hoping to one day have a species ready to combat them and return to the galaxy.

In terms of what you said of the gravemind being able(like perhaps a rampent AI) being able to find a loophole in its "programming" or rather DNA structure, this is acceptably true. If we look at human addiction, it compels a person to do something like drink alcohol, but just because your DNA says to do it, doesn't mean that with will power it can be resisted, at that point enough resistance makes the urge lie dormant, and so long as you don't indulge the extreme urge won't be there anymore. Biology is very complex, I think even for pre-cursors and they didn't get it right.

I would like also to point out in response to this as a whole, that perhaps the flood is at this point corrupted. At once point they may have looked nice and humanoid without disfigurement. They could have easily just been a parasite that would re-animate anything dead, rather than killing things and hosting the corpse. They would move the bodies to be categorized in the gravemind. But perhaps a mutation caused the flood to become rampant and slaughter, first starting within the flood itself, which could have given pre-cursors time to prepare, and then they would have begun their galactic conquest. If your theories of categorization of species or memories are true, then the current state of the flood wouldn't do that, a more pure version would though.

Don't draw parallels between games or other lore or stories. There are only 16 basic story plots, and if we try to make clever similarities saying, one copied the other or drew from another is some way, is entirely insulting to the creator, because we as humans only have so many basic plots to draw from, and all our stories are variations on it. Yes, halo is like a lot of stuff, but I wouldnt delve into it all.

In terms of a fourth dimension, people often think it is time, but I think time is a by-product in 3 dimesions from the forth dimension, or perhaps how we percieve the fourth dimension.

We use our eyes to understand 1-d 2-d and 3-d, so why not 4-d? I think it is perhaps being able to "see form other perspectives, being able to see (for example) earth from outer space but also be able to see billy eating cereal hastily before school starts and anything inbetween. Mass actually creates time(if you didn't know) mass spheres like planets create their own gravity because they are a disruption in space, this creates a pull towards its center. This gravitational field makes time go slower or faster. So on Earth, time is slower and people would live longer than on the planet Reach since it is slightly bigger. There are other factors that determine life spans, but for us this is true. I also believe that godlike beings are the only ones that can access the 4th dimension because they shield its knowledge from us as one of the many facets of being mortal. Anyhow, I think that if the precursors exist, then they are infact hiding from the flood and perhaps trying to find a way to kill them in one full on blow and preserve all other life rather than killing everything or having a method where they keep getting killed like the forerunners did, and like the humans are.

Nice thread OP.

  • 08.07.2010 1:17 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Zwolf_wolf
I think that the flood encountering precursors in battle would only prove to end the flood. They wouldn't stand a chance.

Which is why I had added that the Gravemind would've had Precursor knowledge and would've been trans-sentient himself by that point--assuming that trans-sentience is achievable in the third dimension--and would've launched a surprise attack. It's like the SKYNET situation, save with an organic being; he is the ultimate enemy, he is integrated into your systems, you created him, and he will destroy you with the knowledge you gave him.


I also think that A gravemind only has access to knowledge from the infected in the planet it is on.
Not the case. There are many notable instances of Gravmineds commanding Flood troops across the galaxy.


But also as they consume more lifeforms, they would become dumber.
This makes no sense. Even with degredation added in, consuming more life wouldn't make them any dumber, it would just enhance their intelligence, understanding, and diversify them. The Flood are similar to the Borg; they assimilate individuals into the collective, learn from them, and diversify their own legions. Even if that data degraded over time and as different Graveminds rose and fell conquering more would only bring more intelligence that could be preserved across the eons.


If we are talking about millions of years ago
We aren't, at least not in this theory. The Forerunner activated the array 100,000 years ago; the Precursors' creation of the flood could, feasibly, be as recently as 200,000 or even 150,000 years ago.


And even in the year 2552, they must also have lost some knowledge of the forerunners as well without food for THAT long as well. Like anything, biological or mechanical, memory or data need to be housed in a safe area that is being replenished so that the data or memory doesn't corrupt or get lost.
Of course they lose data over time (despite the theory that the spores act like neurons that store data). That's why the Flood doesn't destroy the Covenant and Humanity first thing as soon as it's released from I04. That's why the Forerunner stood a chance after the Precursor-based cell crashed on that outer mining colony. They lost some of their intelligence, or at least some of their skills, along the way.


in terms of gravemind sentience, I remember somewhere learning that the gravemind builds and builds as the flood infect, and after a certain point, the building becomes lifelike and utilzes knowledge to be a mind of its own, but it always follows the same path of destruction, which is odd, that every time a gravemind forms it desires the same thing. I believe that the gravemind was built corruptly. Perhaps once it takes on too many conflicting personalities or the fragments of them, it becomes enraged within itself at its conflicting fragments, as the gravemind would be an impure being, where as if it was just holding the memories apart, it would not be in conflict. So it feeds on the hatred that the memroeis have of each other and act on all of them at once trying to consume all, which enrages it more as it gathers more conflicting thoughts. The precursors may have only gotten to the proto-flood as we know them, but were unable to contain them and study them for fixing them. They may not have had defense systems or weapons prompting them to flee the galaxy, but leaving behind the means to keep the flood at bay, hoping to one day have a species ready to combat them and return to the galaxy.
I find this less probable than the rampancy theory. Rampancy fully explains the actions of the Gravemind down to the tee, and fits perfectly with this theory at the same time. A double-boon, as it were.


Don't draw parallels between games or other lore or stories. There are only 16 basic story plots, and if we try to make clever similarities saying, one copied the other or drew from another is some way, is entirely insulting to the creator, because we as humans only have so many basic plots to draw from, and all our stories are variations on it. Yes, halo is like a lot of stuff, but I wouldnt delve into it all.
I completely disagree here. I write videogame story and I consider modeling a plot off of another person's story to be the utmost sign of respect to that person. It is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of to model one's plot off of another person's, nor is it anything that should be hidden or embarrassing. In this case, I think that (if these events are true, which is improbable) a J.R.R. Tolkien link could be made, and so I mention it, quite rightly.

  • 08.07.2010 2:04 PM PDT

Oh. I was just trying to shoot those birds with this here jello-shooter.
-noob using a fuel rod gun

Social Infection

cool, thanks for replying. that part about them consuming more life becoming dumber was my mistake. I really worded that poorly. I meant that over time as they lose specifics from previous species like the precursors, and as they kill off that species(if they even do kill their hosts off entirely) that they can no longer regain that superior knowledge, and they then have to settle for the knowledge they now have at hand, which makes them more conquerable for that species, although very difficult still.

There is something else I forgot to add in I thought might prove extremely useful.

In the books, Johnson is completely immune to flood infection. Private Jenkins is also partially immune and can fight the flood in his infected state. This means that the flood don't actually have to kill a person for one, as Jenkins is infected but still alive and able to resist. Also, Since (correct me if I am mistaken) precursors gave rise to forerunners who give rise to humans then humans may have a fragment of a gene therapy the pre cursors used to prevent infestation. Now I know that humans aren't actually forerunners, but since the librarian was on earth, then perhaps they reproduced on earth, or gave humans an immunity gene therapy in the event that they would face the flood one day. Since the precursors would be immune then perhaps the two races drifted apart since the flood (imo) would not waste time killing a race that would yield no information any longer. The precursors would then have parted since attacking the flood would be pointless to them as well as it would result in needless death, and they could have just assumed by the time the flood reached the forerunners, they would be able to wipe them out as a diminished threat.

In terms of plot copying or drawing from I simply meant that, if the creators of the halo lore took no information from a certain source, and someone said hey, you got it from there(even with good intention) I know I would personally be insulted because it would have been my own idea that I made up without anyone's help. Although I have no problems with taking ideas from other areas, that is how stories progress in humans they slowly diversify. I understand what you mean and I agree.

In the millions of years ago idea, I just had no idea when precursors were around.

  • 08.07.2010 2:39 PM PDT
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Don't scream, it will only make me laugh.

Because the memories are stored in the brain of the deceased. A technological system--at least, none that we know of--could access such memories. But a virus, like the Flood, an organic storage system? They can gain access, even after death.

They were the Precursors: They most definately had technology that the Forerunners did not know of, so the technologically based retrieval system is within the realm of reason.

With that said: How would the Precursors retrieve the knowledge the parasite had gathered? They would need some kind of "telepathic" (for lack of better term) technology to read it.

On another note: When the Flood have a small population they are in the feral stage and are uncontrollable and violent. The Flood would have to start off like every other organism and be fed before it could reach even a proto-Gravemind stage. Therefore if the Precursors did actually "program" the Flood organism, and that "programming" was "broken" later by the Gravemind, then why do the Flood not revert to their "programming" when a Gravemind is no longer alive/present/controlling instead of going into a feral state as they do?

And you are absolutely right in regards to giving respect to another writer by basing off their work.

  • 08.08.2010 8:59 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Dark Scion
They were the Precursors: They most definately had technology that the Forerunners did not know of, so the technologically based retrieval system is within the realm of reason.

Possible, but I think the Forerunner were close to Tier 0 again. They were extra-galactic, just not trans-galactic, and they had constructed the Huragok, which is an engineered race. I believe that points to them being close, and nothing they have comes close to such a thing.


With that said: How would the Precursors retrieve the knowledge the parasite had gathered? They would need some kind of "telepathic" (for lack of better term) technology to read it.
There's a myriad of ways it could be done. The Flood may not originally have been as they are now--an "infection", back then, need not be how it is now. The Flood operate by tapping into neural pathways in the spine and controlling the host via its own nervous system. Tapping into the spinal cord--although it most certainly wouldn't have been very bloody pleasant, I'm sure--could have feasibly be used to transmit knowledge.

Of course, that's just the outer ballpark idea. The Precursor were trans-sentient. That's been theorized to mean telepathy--since the Flood can do it, if the Precursor created them they had to have been able to do it to allow the Flood to maintain instantaneous contact between one another, right?


On another note: When the Flood have a small population they are in the feral stage and are uncontrollable and violent. The Flood would have to start off like every other organism and be fed before it could reach even a proto-Gravemind stage. Therefore if the Precursors did actually "program" the Flood organism, and that "programming" was "broken" later by the Gravemind, then why do the Flood not revert to their "programming" when a Gravemind is no longer alive/present/controlling instead of going into a feral state as they do?
Good catch, but I've discussed this before. If the Gravemind is essentially a Precursor it has more total knowledge of their people than even they do, given its huge number of absorbed bodies, it's possible that it would've been able to alter its own DNA. In fact, it's possible that that's how it entered the first stage of rampancy, how it broke its bounds--by quite literally breaking them, on the sub-atomic level, and freeing all Flood from those restrictions.

  • 08.08.2010 10:34 PM PDT
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Don't scream, it will only make me laugh.

Hmm...

I believe that points to them being close, and nothing they have comes close to such a thing.

Nothing we know they had...

The part about the Gravemind changing itself seems a little shaky, but We do not see why it wouldn't be possible.

The core of this theory all depends on the exact scientific details of tech used etc, and as those are simply not available for discussion (because how are 21st century humans supposed to know how all that works right?) this theory can be found to be a fitting explanation.

Would it not be {cool} if Bungie uses this theory in their story line? Ahh... Microsoft.

*sob*

  • 08.09.2010 11:39 AM PDT