Bungie Universe
This topic has moved here: Subject: Decoding the data pads
  • Subject: Decoding the data pads
Subject: Decoding the data pads

so just a heads up, The AI you take off reach, is probably what they mean by separate from the rest, and allow to be examined(she later helps in the halo series as you all know)

  • 09.22.2010 1:30 AM PDT

Data Pads can Not be picked up right they stay on the ground?

  • 09.22.2010 11:07 AM PDT


Posted by: PaulGerla
so just a heads up, The AI you take off reach, is probably what they mean by separate from the rest, and allow to be examined(she later helps in the halo series as you all know)

The AI on Reach is Cortana. The Data pad date that corresponds with being examined is before Reach fell. We know the AI's serial number, but not which AI that is.
[48452-556-EPN644] is the AI, and is referred to as "he". The proposition is made in the year 2415, far before Cortana is created.


Posted by: Anticipation
Data Pads can Not be picked up right they stay on the ground?


They stay on the ground.

  • 09.22.2010 3:43 PM PDT

Okay
One simple Question
Who Wrote the Data Pads?
Why?
And how did it/they/him/she dropped the data pads

  • 09.22.2010 5:41 PM PDT


Posted by: Jargon unit
Okay
One simple Question
Who Wrote the Data Pads?
Why?
And how did it/they/him/she dropped the data pads

They were communiques of Committee meetings, someone must've gained access(presumably the guy carrying them) and stored them on the Data pads.

As for why and who that person is? We don't know, someone is welcome to try and decipher bits and pieces about the guy by reading Data Pad 19 and the sentences that preface each entry.

As for how they were dropped, perhaps fleeing Covenant forces, or simply just put there to be accessed by the players. I don't think it's worth the effort trying to decipher how the datapads got there, but look at what's in them.

  • 09.22.2010 5:45 PM PDT

I am the Troll King.

I bet there memory wiped forerunner AI, think about it, the forerunners made a gourp of AI, they wiped there memorys right before they light the rings. That explains why they're so smart and why they dont know what the flood is.

  • 09.22.2010 5:56 PM PDT

I am a monument to all your sins

its possible that they could be forerunner AIs. 343 guilty spark often refered to humans as being the same as Forerunners due to them being their chosen successors, so mabey when the AIs call humans their creators they ment the forerunners. This would explain how they are smart AIs before humanity had invented them.

[Edited on 09.22.2010 6:13 PM PDT]

  • 09.22.2010 6:11 PM PDT


Posted by: Zoomzoom97
I bet there memory wiped forerunner AI, think about it, the forerunners made a gourp of AI, they wiped there memorys right before they light the rings. That explains why they're so smart and why they dont know what the flood is.

What purpose does it serve to wipe the Forerunner AI? There is no prior instance of the Forerunner doing such a thing(343 Guilty Spark, 2401 Penitent Tangent, etc). Smart AI are as smart as the Committee has shown to be.


Posted by: Darthbill99
its possible that they could be forerunner AIs. 343 guilty spark often refered to humans as being the same as Forerunners due to them being their chosen successors, so mabey when the AIs call humans their creators they ment the forerunners. This would explain how they are smart AIs before humanity had invented them.

All evidence points to them being human AI, there is nothing to suggest they are Forerunner AI.

  • 09.23.2010 1:49 AM PDT

CoE. If you don't know what that means...

Nice theory!

Just a thought: the first time I read a datapad I immediately thought of Halsey's idea about interconnected AI. The (human?) guy writing the pads seems to have schyzofrenia (voices in his head), but with actual AI. Halsey writes about interconnected AI in her journal. What if there already were interconnected AI, who used the brain of a human as their neural chip? Halsey described the use of nerve cells in AI chips.

  • 09.23.2010 1:39 PM PDT


Posted by: Marrieman NL
Nice theory!

Just a thought: the first time I read a datapad I immediately thought of Halsey's idea about interconnected AI. The (human?) guy writing the pads seems to have schyzofrenia (voices in his head), but with actual AI. Halsey writes about interconnected AI in her journal. What if there already were interconnected AI, who used the brain of a human as their neural chip? Halsey described the use of nerve cells in AI chips.


Could you please elaborate further?

  • 09.23.2010 3:34 PM PDT

Has anyone else noticed that when you pick up a data pad and start reading there seems to be noises in the background that seem to come from the data pad itself. Has anyone ever tried to listen closely and hear what it says?

  • 09.23.2010 8:51 PM PDT

There are a couple of youtube clips that sound like words when played backwards. Haven't researched them though

  • 09.23.2010 9:02 PM PDT

Posted by: illninja137
does this rag smell like chloroform to you?


Spamalot !Do you like to spam? If so CLICK HERE NOW!!!!!!

My own opinions:

Questions raised by the Data Pads:
- The Committee suggests having members of the group on occasion separate and allow themselves to be examined by humans for the benefit of humanity and the Committee, what exactly does this mean? (Data Pad 4)

I'd imagine that they figured something out about themselves that the humans just accepted works. Such as the human brain, we don't know how it works, we just know it does.


- Was the Committee responsible for the error in Carver's matrices(The 7), and/or were they responsible for the bombing at Haven which led to Halsey forming the SPARTAN Program(Thereby drawing a connection between the ORION project and Carver's findings)? Data Pad 5

Doubtful. I'd imagine that, such as Dr. Halsey did, Carver was able to do the calculations himself and without any aid.


- Who is 03529-24450-EN(A product of the ORION program who could show diminished compassion) Data Pad 7
My first guess would be CPO Mendez, several people suspect him of being an S-I. I realize that EN refers to the enlisted's first and last name, but you must realize that it is their BIRTH first and last name. Mendez may have had a name change. He does often seem to be emotionless as when he was first introduced and Halsey told Deja that she was going to tell the kids the truth and Mendez acknowledged it with a grunt one of his "most verbose" responses.


- What causes the Assembly to view Dr. Halsey as ruthless, and what chemical imbalance does she possess? How did this ruthlessness cause the SPARTAN-II Program to begin? Data Pad 7
Ruthlessness: Quite simple, during the fall of reach she was willing to to anything to win. Before changing her mind to save every last soul she can.

Chemical Imbalance: I'd have to say either Schizophrenia (when you're mind is strong and you're smart, it's easy fro the brain to fool itself (ever seen the movie "A Beautiful Mind"? very good movie and it's about just that) or Bi-Polar Disorder, but that's simply a guess from the 30 seconds we see her in Reach, where she goes from furious how Carter offended her to a removed feeling with Jorge dismissing him.



- The Committee member on trial exhibits advanced questioning, asking questions in regards to morals(would you have done the same?) compared to prior usage of vernacular. Is this a result of having been vivisected by humanity? Is said AI becoming rampant, etc? Data Pad 8
This isn't relevant to the questions asked, but as soon as you said "Would you have done the same?" I though "Would you sacrifice him if you had to?" AKA when Cortana was choosing john as her carrier, which leads me to believe that Cortana is the one on trial


- How does the Committee so clearly and early see that the S-II program would save humanity? Data Pads 9, 11
Simple guess: Simulations perhaps?


- How does the Committee have such far reaching control, power, and influence? Data Pads 5,6,8,9,10,11,12,14
They live in a world where when they think "How do we protect this VERY important data?" they think "Smart AI" and as AIs tend to leave themselves back doors, they could surely easily access it.


- What sacrifices must be made in order to buy the Assembly more time, and for an answer to what? What experiments did they conduct on humans? Data Pad 13
Sacrifice: Reach maybe?
Answer to: Could be how to survive?


- Did the Committee ever make contact with the Flood? Data Pad 15
Impossible, the flood have no language with the exception of a Gravemind.


- What weapons does the Committee have at its disposal that could turn the Assembly into "wolves" and threaten the human race? Data Pad 16
Information. in a world where everything is digital, if you control the flow of information, you can control anything. IE propaganda

  • 09.24.2010 3:39 AM PDT

Posted by: illninja137
does this rag smell like chloroform to you?


Spamalot !Do you like to spam? If so CLICK HERE NOW!!!!!!


Posted by: Hysterical Joker

Posted by: Marrieman NL
Nice theory!

Just a thought: the first time I read a datapad I immediately thought of Halsey's idea about interconnected AI. The (human?) guy writing the pads seems to have schyzofrenia (voices in his head), but with actual AI. Halsey writes about interconnected AI in her journal. What if there already were interconnected AI, who used the brain of a human as their neural chip? Halsey described the use of nerve cells in AI chips.


Could you please elaborate further?
I think what he's trying to say that instead of being schizophrenic and hearing voices, that his mind is being occupied by two separate intelligences (his own and the AIs) and causing similar symptoms IE he hears the AIs voice in his head. And that the AI is using the humans brain as as basically an organic memory chip.

  • 09.24.2010 3:43 AM PDT

Posted by: illninja137
does this rag smell like chloroform to you?


Spamalot !Do you like to spam? If so CLICK HERE NOW!!!!!!

To the "Forerunner AI" theory: The biiiig hole in this theory is that the Forerunners solved the rampancy problem....within reason.

Case: "343 Guilty Spark": While he did go crazy his reasoning was sound, but Human AI when they go rampant, they die, preceded by a short term of illogical reasoning. These AI on the comity are still worrying about the threat of rampancy.

Also: Sorry for the triple post, been years since I've made a post.

  • 09.24.2010 3:48 AM PDT


Doubtful. I'd imagine that, such as Dr. Halsey did, Carver was able to do the calculations himself and without any aid.
So it seems reasonable that the Assembly Minority was responsible for the bombing at Haven? (Would also explain the oddness of having one of the Insurrectionists allies claim responsibility). The bombing at Haven is the only connection I know of that lead Halsey to the ORION program and Carver's Findings which ultimately led to the S-II program. (Though someone could go back to the journal and re-read the entries on Carver and the flaws of the ORION program and see if anything is there).



My first guess would be CPO Mendez, several people suspect him of being an S-I. I realize that EN refers to the enlisted's first and last name, but you must realize that it is their BIRTH first and last name. Mendez may have had a name change. He does often seem to be emotionless as when he was first introduced and Halsey told Deja that she was going to tell the kids the truth and Mendez acknowledged it with a grunt one of his "most verbose" responses.
It's possible, if a little stretched.

Ruthlessness: Quite simple, during the fall of reach she was willing to to anything to win. Before changing her mind to save every last soul she can.

Chemical Imbalance: I'd have to say either Schizophrenia (when you're mind is strong and you're smart, it's easy fro the brain to fool itself (ever seen the movie "A Beautiful Mind"? very good movie and it's about just that) or Bi-Polar Disorder, but that's simply a guess from the 30 seconds we see her in Reach, where she goes from furious how Carter offended her to a removed feeling with Jorge dismissing him.

I did my final paper in Psychology on Schizophrenia, Halsey does not exhibit symptoms of it. She isn't on medication because it states as having been "undiagnosed". So whatever she has that causes her to be so ruthless is the result of said disorder at its prime, unaltered by medication.


This isn't relevant to the questions asked, but as soon as you said "Would you have done the same?" I though "Would you sacrifice him if you had to?" AKA when Cortana was choosing john as her carrier, which leads me to believe that Cortana is the one on trial
Cortana wasn't created yet

Simple guess: Simulations perhaps?
I'm not so sure, yes, it's possible.

However, the machinations of the Minority to draw renewed interest to the ORION program seems to indicate their intention was to get something along the lines of the S-II program(Which could tie into another theory of them wanting to genetically enhance the human race for the future. That has its own strengths and weaknesses, though), and when the S-II program comes about, the Majority treat it as a godsend. Were they acting independently? Why?

They live in a world where when they think "How do we protect this VERY important data?" they think "Smart AI" and as AIs tend to leave themselves back doors, they could surely easily access it.
Yes, if it is a vast network of Smart AI(which I believe it to be), then they would have access to almost every system the UNSC has.

Sacrifice: Reach maybe?
Answer to: Could be how to survive?

The time is needed for the experiments taking place on a remote planet. The sacrifices could be more human colonies and lives while the Assembly gathers this data in order to decide on how to act/what to do.

Unsure though.

Could the sacrifice be in reference to the glassing of Madrigal which takes place that same year?

Impossible, the flood have no language with the exception of a Gravemind.
The Committee finds a third party in the Covenant Battle Net which instills terror in the Covenant. This year is also the same as Halo Wars, where the Covenant encounter the Flood. As such, I believe it to be the Flood. The Committee mentions making contact with it "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" sort of deal. Did that happen?

Information. in a world where everything is digital, if you control the flow of information, you can control anything. IE propaganda
I'm not so sure, the Committee makes it sound as if they used the weapons, the Committee would become out of control and turn into wolves preying on their own sheep.

[Edited on 09.24.2010 11:56 AM PDT]

  • 09.24.2010 11:55 AM PDT


Posted by: mastercheifrckz

Posted by: Hysterical Joker

Posted by: Marrieman NL
Nice theory!

Just a thought: the first time I read a datapad I immediately thought of Halsey's idea about interconnected AI. The (human?) guy writing the pads seems to have schyzofrenia (voices in his head), but with actual AI. Halsey writes about interconnected AI in her journal. What if there already were interconnected AI, who used the brain of a human as their neural chip? Halsey described the use of nerve cells in AI chips.


Could you please elaborate further?
I think what he's trying to say that instead of being schizophrenic and hearing voices, that his mind is being occupied by two separate intelligences (his own and the AIs) and causing similar symptoms IE he hears the AIs voice in his head. And that the AI is using the humans brain as as basically an organic memory chip.

It's possible, it'd be nice if someone who had the time was able to further analyze his writings.

  • 09.24.2010 11:57 AM PDT

Posted by: illninja137
does this rag smell like chloroform to you?


Spamalot !Do you like to spam? If so CLICK HERE NOW!!!!!!

So it seems reasonable that the Assembly Minority was responsible for the bombing at Haven? (Would also explain the oddness of having one of the Insurrectionists allies claim responsibility). The bombing at Haven is the only connection I know of that lead Halsey to the ORION program and Carver's Findings which ultimately led to the S-II program. (Though someone could go back to the journal and re-read the entries on Carver and the flaws of the ORION program and see if anything is there).
If you're talking about Dr. Halseys' Journal I have it, but I don't have much down time, I just started a very hectic schedule at my University, but I'll see what I can do



I did my final paper in Psychology on Schizophrenia, Halsey does not exhibit symptoms of it. She isn't on medication because it states as having been "undiagnosed". So whatever she has that causes her to be so ruthless is the result of said disorder at its prime, unaltered by medication.

I took psych, but it was only a semester HS class, so I'm no expert so I won't argue, except would it be possible for it to be in the early stages?


Cortana wasn't created yet
Did not know that, I haven't had time to check out the dates on the pads, the only knowledge I've has at my disposal is that from this thread and my own misc. knowledge at this time.


I'm not so sure, yes, it's possible.

However, the machinations of the Minority to draw renewed interest to the ORION program seems to indicate their intention was to get something along the lines of the S-II program(Which could tie into another theory of them wanting to genetically enhance the human race for the future. That has its own strengths and weaknesses, though), and when the S-II program comes about, the Majority treat it as a godsend. Were they acting independently? Why?
Perhaps separate agendas? Perhaps one side aims for the survival of AIs while the other wishes the survival of AIs and the Humans


Yes, if it is a vast network of Smart AI(which I believe it to be), then they would have access to almost every system the UNSC has.
And in addition to that, while 100 morons can out think one genius from sheer amount of ideas, imagine how well 100 Smart AIs will do who all process Terabytes of information in a split second, and create almost endless ideas in an instant, something is bound to go right.


The time is needed for the experiments taking place on a remote planet. The sacrifices could be more human colonies and lives while the Assembly gathers this data in order to decide on how to act/what to do.

Unsure though.

Could the sacrifice be in reference to the glassing of Madrigal which takes place that same year?
Could be, perhaps they had something of importance there. Could be wrong though.


The Committee finds a third party in the Covenant Battle Net which instills terror in the Covenant. This year is also the same as Halo Wars, where the Covenant encounter the Flood. As such, I believe it to be the Flood. The Committee mentions making contact with it "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" sort of deal. Did that happen?
Again, not sure of the dates but, what if it was the elites? The elites are the main warrior class of the covenant, if your frontline soldiers up and defected, you'd be scared too. Perhaps the Committee learned of their past conflict? IE when the Prophets and Elites made first contact with one another.


I'm not so sure, the Committee makes it sound as if they used the weapons, the Committee would become out of control and turn into wolves preying on their own sheep.

Perhaps it would be something akin giving themselves greater power now (IE more smarts, faster processing, etc) but shorten their lifespan and reach rampancy sooner

  • 09.24.2010 4:26 PM PDT

- I could take a look in a little bit

- I don't believe so, it could very well be a similar mental disorder, just one that isn't characterized by the disintegration of thought processes, doesn't experience hallucinations or delusions, and doesn't exhibit disorganized speech.

- That's an interesting theory on the goals of their agendas that warrants further research.

- I really doubt it's the Elites. In 2530, the Elites were still ardently on the Covenant's side. They also would induce "terror", which is a really strong word. In 2530 nothing else really happens except for the entirety of the Halo Wars story.

- That sounds plausible, would need more evidence, but the threat of rampancy in exchange for greater processing power/knowledge could explain the word choice.

  • 09.24.2010 7:47 PM PDT

josepi

I believe that the human leaving the clues is a big part of all this... 1he says in data pad 5 that when he first got out of cryo the ship was so fullof people from dead worlds he could hardly breathe.... i assume that gives us a date as it was after multiple worlds fell. I dont believe the a.i dates and what hes saying align date wise... if that makes any sense at all lol...

  • 09.25.2010 11:52 AM PDT

Well, the thing we have to find out is the significance. Trying to place him on and a ship and time doesn't serve any purpose unless knowing where he was will solve anything.

  • 09.25.2010 2:36 PM PDT

System of a Frown


Posted by: kippa
Might just say this in here, but did anyone notice Carter calling Dr. Halsey a civilian even though in the Journal it says that after a long time of being a civilian adviser to ONI, they offered her a job and she took it.

Doesn't that mean she isn't quite civilian anymore, but actually part of section 3?

not necessarily true. The US military has many civilians working for it in their R & D programs as well as in their equipment maintenance yards. not to mention civilian contractors ( both combat contractors and support contractors)
Just because the military pays you and you work with miliary personnel does not mean you are in the military.

03529-24450-EN may very well be a civilian researcher who came to the UNSC with a project proposal to make a stronger better more effective soldier. in WWII for example the militaries the world over where handing out money to civilian researchers for wacky ideas in order to gain an upper hand.
an example is the Bat Bomb. sure the idea seems ludicrous now, but in times of extreme military strain and rapidly advancing technology you will try anything to get an edge

  • 09.27.2010 12:26 PM PDT


Posted by: Sucidal Man

Posted by: kippa
Might just say this in here, but did anyone notice Carter calling Dr. Halsey a civilian even though in the Journal it says that after a long time of being a civilian adviser to ONI, they offered her a job and she took it.

Doesn't that mean she isn't quite civilian anymore, but actually part of section 3?

not necessarily true. The US military has many civilians working for it in their R & D programs as well as in their equipment maintenance yards. not to mention civilian contractors ( both combat contractors and support contractors)
Just because the military pays you and you work with miliary personnel does not mean you are in the military.

03529-24450-EN may very well be a civilian researcher who came to the UNSC with a project proposal to make a stronger better more effective soldier. in WWII for example the militaries the world over where handing out money to civilian researchers for wacky ideas in order to gain an upper hand.
an example is the Bat Bomb. sure the idea seems ludicrous now, but in times of extreme military strain and rapidly advancing technology you will try anything to get an edge


03529-24450-EN is said to be a product of the ORION program who could show diminished capacity for compassion. Unless I'm interpreting the text wrong. I would think it'd be a S-I

  • 09.27.2010 12:31 PM PDT

- After observing the neural interface between Cortana and John-117, the Assembly agrees that they must become companions to humanity and have to be active participants in the hostilities Data Pad 18

I don't think they're talking about John and Cortana, as Noble 6 is in possession of the Cortana AI in the last mission, so it hasn't gotten to Master Chief yet.

  • 09.27.2010 1:42 PM PDT


Posted by: Exuberance
- After observing the neural interface between Cortana and John-117, the Assembly agrees that they must become companions to humanity and have to be active participants in the hostilities Data Pad 18

I don't think they're talking about John and Cortana, as Noble 6 is in possession of the Cortana AI in the last mission, so it hasn't gotten to Master Chief yet.

You need to be aware of the date listed on the Committee entry, also, Cortana was split into Fragments. One of those two fragments was with the MC, the other with N6.

  • 09.27.2010 1:43 PM PDT