antpogo
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Re: Early Access Feedback - Lore Concern (Positronic Brains)

Thu 23 Jun 2022, 16:57

Hi!

Consistency with the source material is absolutely a priority. The term positronic was used in Hampton Fancher and David People's 1981 screenplay draft of Blade Runner, which is considered canon. That said, if the term causes confusion, we might consider removing it.
As pointed out, the "positronic brain" reference from the February 1981 screenplay was explicitly to the second generation of androids, before Replicants (who were the "synthogenetic" third generation):
android (an'droid) n, Gk. humanoid automation. more at robot./ 1. early version utilized for work too boring, dangerous or unpleasant for humans. 2. second generation bio-engineered. Electronic relay units and positronic brains. Used in space to explore inhospitable environments. 3. third generation synthogenetic. REPLICANT, constructed of skin/flesh culture. Selected enogenic transfer conversion. Capable of self perpetuating thought. paraphysical abilities. Developed for emigration program.

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY New International (2012)
So, even taking this as canon (though this was never referenced in the dialogue or stage directions in that script - this was just an opening scroll that was never used in the theatrical release of the film or any of the working/director's cuts of the film), the positronic brain thing is referring to the pre-Nexus 6 models, not to the Nexus 6's as the RPG currently has it.

The only version of the "dictionary quote" scroll that made it into any version of the film was the one used for the initial Workprint (which was also used in some early sneak preview screenings), which dropped all references to "positronic brains" completely:
REPLICANT\rep'-li-cant\n. See also ROBOT (antique): ANDROID (obsolete): NEXUS (generic): Synthetic human, with paraphysical capabilities, having skin/flesh culture. Also: Rep, skin job (slang): Off-world uses: Combat, high-risk industrial, deepspace probe. On-world use prohibited. Specifications and quantities - information classified. New American Dictionary. Copyright (C) 2016
The reference to "positronic brains" probably should be changed to make it about the pre-Replicant generations of androids and to make it clear that it does not refer to the Nexus 6 (if not just dropped entirely).
 
Talos63
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Joined: Thu 23 Jun 2022, 17:24

Re: Early Access Feedback - Lore Concern (Positronic Brains)

Thu 23 Jun 2022, 17:53

It's great to see so much research has gone into the lore, but I agree with the majority here that the Positronic brain concept mentioned in the draft screenplay is directly contradicted by dialogue from the film. For my money Film trumps Draft. The reference should be removed for clarity and accuracy.
While the Nexus-6 replicants are manufactured, they are entirely biological in structure. They are designed at a genetic level by technicians like Chew for example, who designed their eyes. Positronic brains conjure images of sleek electronics with chaser LEDs thanks to Hollywood.
 
antpogo
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Joined: Thu 23 Jun 2022, 16:32

Re: Early Access Feedback - Lore Concern (Positronic Brains)

Fri 24 Jun 2022, 02:23


While the Nexus-6 replicants are manufactured, they are entirely biological in structure. They are designed at a genetic level by technicians like Chew for example, who designed their eyes. Positronic brains conjure images of sleek electronics with chaser LEDs thanks to Hollywood.
According to the same 1981 Fancher/Peoples script which FL says they consider canon that had the unused "dictionary" scroll which mentioned positronic brains for the previous, non-Replicant generation of androids, Holden tells Deckard that when Tyrell Corp does an autopsy on an intruder that died trying to break in to the Tyrell building, it takes the doctors hours into the procedure before they realize it's one of the escaped Nexus 6's: "Three hours into the autopsy they still think they're cutting up a human. No marks, nothing," the script has Holden say.
 
antpogo
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu 23 Jun 2022, 16:32

Re: Early Access Feedback - Lore Concern (Positronic Brains)

Fri 01 Jul 2022, 16:01

Yay! It looks like the Nexus 6 positronic brain thing was removed from that updated PDF, thank you! It does make the reference to "machine learning" that's still there a little awkward, but not nearly enough to bother me, so I am happy.

Thank you again for listening to and responding to this feedback, Fria Logan!
 
Talos63
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Joined: Thu 23 Jun 2022, 17:24

Re: Early Access Feedback - Lore Concern (Positronic Brains)

Mon 04 Jul 2022, 06:50

Agreed. The new text is much better. I'm glad they took the feedback seriously.
 
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aramis
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Re: Early Access Feedback - Lore Concern (Positronic Brains)

Wed 06 Jul 2022, 04:55

Hi!

Consistency with the source material is absolutely a priority. The term positronic was used in Hampton Fancher and David People's 1981 screenplay draft of Blade Runner, which is considered canon. That said, if the term causes confusion, we might consider removing it.
It will, especially due to Star Trek using it. Asimov is, largely, ignorable. STTNG, however... at least in the english speaking world, is multiple orders of magnitude better known.

That, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans... Positrons are theantimatter we're actually using.
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