Episode 20 is now live on YouTube. Or, you can enjoy it right here:
The inspiration/insanity of a recent MD just shy of his license, in machinima, Photoshop, 3D design, and video editing. Not the first doctor to make a video series, and not the last.
Showing posts with label machinima. Show all posts
Showing posts with label machinima. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
How To Stroggify a Marine
The following information is conjecture and has not been backed or approved by Id Software. As such, it is subject to change.
Phase 1: Source acquisition
This is the acquisition of the biological frame from which the new Strogg is created. Some Strogg are gestated in vitro (refer to reconnaisance by Cpl. Bitterman, first wave, operation Overlord 2), but in combat, many are modified life forms, or "transfers." Sometimes the process is a hybrid, in which enemy biologics are rendered for organic substrate for use in the gestation of new Strogg bioforms.
Phase 2: Source preparation
Transfers are first injected with the nanoprep agent in a physiologically compatible medium with appropriate stabilizing agents. For humans, this is a normal saline base with corticosteroids. The nanomachines are similar in partial function to those in health packs, but far more versatile and advanced. Next, unnecessary biomass is removed from the transfer prior to first augmentation. In most cases, this includes both legs and one arm. All waste product is routed to processing and putrefaction for processing into either organic slurry for materials production or stroyent (a substrate which, when applied to the nanobots, induces rapid tissue growth and repair).
Sometimes preparations are more radical, removing all limbs, all limbs plus the pelvis, or even removal of the brain, depending on the Strogg to be generated. However, at this point the organism needs to at least be compatible with life.
Phase 3: First Augmentation
At this stage, the organism, still physically restrained, is fitted with cybernetic connection points which connect the organic parts to the cybernetic augments. In some cases, these connection points include the augments already. Some Strogg are generated to near-completion at this step. Others are fitted prior to the next phase in order to attain completion at phase 5.
Phase 4: Integration
This is the implantation of the neuron-cybernetic integration system (neurocyte chip) into the central nervous system of the transfer.
Phase 5: Activation
This requires detailed mapping of the peripheral and central nervous system with information written to the neurocyte (also known as Neurocyte Registration). This information allows the neurocyte to then sieze control of the central nervous system outside of the conscious control of the host. This is the threshold, the effective "point of no return," as higher neural functions may atrophy as the host mind just "gives up." However, if the transfer is removed from stroggification before mapping of the cortex is completed, the host retains control of their body. It should be noted that it is theoretically possible to remove the neurocyte, but the estimates of risk are high. Once activated, there is a limited amount of time within which it is theoretically possible to deactivate the neurocyte. However, this must be done quickly. It is unknown just how long it takes before a transfer becomes non-salvagable.
Phase 6 (depending on design of strogg to be produced): Second augmentation
Some strogg require more radical reconfiguration, and, once activated, are sent to undergo more radical alterations. Sometimes these alterations remove all tissue down to the brain, placing the brain inside a host machine (seen in the "repair bots"). Tissue remains are either recycled whole, used intact in other bio-cybernetic support systems, or discarded. If discarded, they are routed for use as feedstock in the production of organic substrate materials, including in vitro culture media for Strogg bio-bodies, various reagents, or the stroyent repair compound.
Whew.
Now that you've waded through my imaginary technical mind (interpret that phrase, I dare you), here's the good news. The next episode of Kane's Mind is now complete. As I write this, Windows Live Movie Maker (yeah, I still haven't found the spare cash for Sony Vegas) is publishing the episode to YouTube. The process will take a couple of hours, including frame rendering, uploading, and YouTube server-side processing, and since it's late and I really need some sleep, you'll get to see it on YouTube before I even get to finalize the description or put the link on this site.
Enjoy.
Phase 1: Source acquisition
This is the acquisition of the biological frame from which the new Strogg is created. Some Strogg are gestated in vitro (refer to reconnaisance by Cpl. Bitterman, first wave, operation Overlord 2), but in combat, many are modified life forms, or "transfers." Sometimes the process is a hybrid, in which enemy biologics are rendered for organic substrate for use in the gestation of new Strogg bioforms.
Phase 2: Source preparation
Transfers are first injected with the nanoprep agent in a physiologically compatible medium with appropriate stabilizing agents. For humans, this is a normal saline base with corticosteroids. The nanomachines are similar in partial function to those in health packs, but far more versatile and advanced. Next, unnecessary biomass is removed from the transfer prior to first augmentation. In most cases, this includes both legs and one arm. All waste product is routed to processing and putrefaction for processing into either organic slurry for materials production or stroyent (a substrate which, when applied to the nanobots, induces rapid tissue growth and repair).
Sometimes preparations are more radical, removing all limbs, all limbs plus the pelvis, or even removal of the brain, depending on the Strogg to be generated. However, at this point the organism needs to at least be compatible with life.
Phase 3: First Augmentation
At this stage, the organism, still physically restrained, is fitted with cybernetic connection points which connect the organic parts to the cybernetic augments. In some cases, these connection points include the augments already. Some Strogg are generated to near-completion at this step. Others are fitted prior to the next phase in order to attain completion at phase 5.
Phase 4: Integration
This is the implantation of the neuron-cybernetic integration system (neurocyte chip) into the central nervous system of the transfer.
Phase 5: Activation
This requires detailed mapping of the peripheral and central nervous system with information written to the neurocyte (also known as Neurocyte Registration). This information allows the neurocyte to then sieze control of the central nervous system outside of the conscious control of the host. This is the threshold, the effective "point of no return," as higher neural functions may atrophy as the host mind just "gives up." However, if the transfer is removed from stroggification before mapping of the cortex is completed, the host retains control of their body. It should be noted that it is theoretically possible to remove the neurocyte, but the estimates of risk are high. Once activated, there is a limited amount of time within which it is theoretically possible to deactivate the neurocyte. However, this must be done quickly. It is unknown just how long it takes before a transfer becomes non-salvagable.
Phase 6 (depending on design of strogg to be produced): Second augmentation
Some strogg require more radical reconfiguration, and, once activated, are sent to undergo more radical alterations. Sometimes these alterations remove all tissue down to the brain, placing the brain inside a host machine (seen in the "repair bots"). Tissue remains are either recycled whole, used intact in other bio-cybernetic support systems, or discarded. If discarded, they are routed for use as feedstock in the production of organic substrate materials, including in vitro culture media for Strogg bio-bodies, various reagents, or the stroyent repair compound.
Whew.
Now that you've waded through my imaginary technical mind (interpret that phrase, I dare you), here's the good news. The next episode of Kane's Mind is now complete. As I write this, Windows Live Movie Maker (yeah, I still haven't found the spare cash for Sony Vegas) is publishing the episode to YouTube. The process will take a couple of hours, including frame rendering, uploading, and YouTube server-side processing, and since it's late and I really need some sleep, you'll get to see it on YouTube before I even get to finalize the description or put the link on this site.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Welcome to Ground Zero!
This is the debut post of Insufficient Light and Madness, the home site of Kane's Mind. Many of the Master Minds have established sites here, and I keep getting asked in comments "why aren't you a master mind? Why aren't you a master mind?" Well, I have expressed my interest, and at this point, I am being patient. The Master Minds as they are are a close-knit group of friends, established years ahead of my own project. This is not something I can just fill out a form for and expect to obtain membership. I have corresponded with a few of them, and I find them some really nice people. If they want me to join, then it would be tactless of me to ask more.
Frankly, I get a great deal of support from the Master Minds...actually it was Ian Riley to whom I first proposed the idea of Kane's Mind. He said he'd like to see a Minds series done using the Doom3 engine. I hope I didn't disappoint him. Then, CyhAnide referred many of her own viewers to me. That, I thought, was incredibly thoughtful of her. Curtis Trudeau-Brown and Jared O'Brien cited me in one of their works on how to make a Minds series. These are some great people.
The site is largely going to be in a rather "under construction" state of being, functional and unfinished. I regret that med school has taken its toll on my programming skills (which I haven't exercised since I aced an accelerated CSE course in my freshman year), so I'm winging it. I'm hoping to get some way to link my episodes from YouTube or establish a download account for my movies. Bear with me. This will take some time and I still have to finish step 2 of the USMLE.
This site is also, hopefully, the core site at which I can post my "heads up's" as to what's going on. I don't want to leave people in the dark. However, med school eats time. However well I have the process down for producing Kane's Mind, life on my end takes precedence. This is probably the same reason why Little Kuriboh tells people "Never, ever ask 'where is the new episode?'"
I decided to be a smartass and ask, "Okay, then, WHO is the new episode?"
Coincidentally, within two weeks, he released the trailer on "the death of Tristan Taylor." I had to laugh.
Ah yes, on the title of this blog...
"Insufficient Light and Madness" is a loose play on words, and the initials, ILM, are deliberate...a tip of the hat to Industrial Light and Magic, a company that made awesome special effects, and which employed a relative of mine (Michael Natkin) in two projects...Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park. In both of them he headed up the CGI software development team. Each project's effects required a brand new render system. And no...I don't remember him...according to my parents the last time I actually saw him face to face was when I was two years old. Anyway, the acronym hit me when I was producing a bumper for a video project for chemistry class in college. I was doing the whole thing in audio-visual effects using MacroMind Director (the predecessor to Macromedia Flash). "Insufficient Light" is another homage, to Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, one of the characters of which is "Phil, the Prince of Insufficient Light."
As for the madness...well, put it this way. You can't get into med school unless you're insane. (Not in the DSM-IV criteria of mental illness or threat to self or others, but in the more abstract and colloquial sense.)
So, here we go. I'll try to have links up to at least view my episodes. If I can't make a download link or account, I permit downloads of HD versions of my eps from my YouTube site.
Now, as my dad is an attorney (and frankly getting into deep legal crap could hurt my chances of getting into a good residency big time), and since Id games produced a seriously cool title (one of several, I might add) that I am using under (I hope) the fair use act, I must give the following disclaimer, which is more detailed than the one I use as standard on the YouTube site.
Ahem: Quake 4 was produced by Id Software LLC, a ZeniMax Media company (In my credits I erroneously refer to Id as "IdGames," but that's what the company is to me...they make awesome games, and in the PC vs. Mac wars, they made hybrids which was uber awesome to me) with Raven Software (Jedi Knight 2 was kewl, BTW) and published by Activision. All references used in the production are acknowledged as the intellectual property of their respective companies. The only things which I claim for myself is the video editing and the voice work. Any other extrinsic voice work for the purposes of production of this series belongs to the persons from which said voices eminated. The audio/video data is not for sale or rent, and should be distributed freely.
(Think Fansubs, guys...if you want to chance it, it's legit to collect money only up to (and no more than) the cost of the recording media and shipping. That's legit under the hall convention, I think...look it up to be sure. But come on, do you really want to screw over a company as cool as Id?)
That said...here goes.
Frankly, I get a great deal of support from the Master Minds...actually it was Ian Riley to whom I first proposed the idea of Kane's Mind. He said he'd like to see a Minds series done using the Doom3 engine. I hope I didn't disappoint him. Then, CyhAnide referred many of her own viewers to me. That, I thought, was incredibly thoughtful of her. Curtis Trudeau-Brown and Jared O'Brien cited me in one of their works on how to make a Minds series. These are some great people.
The site is largely going to be in a rather "under construction" state of being, functional and unfinished. I regret that med school has taken its toll on my programming skills (which I haven't exercised since I aced an accelerated CSE course in my freshman year), so I'm winging it. I'm hoping to get some way to link my episodes from YouTube or establish a download account for my movies. Bear with me. This will take some time and I still have to finish step 2 of the USMLE.
This site is also, hopefully, the core site at which I can post my "heads up's" as to what's going on. I don't want to leave people in the dark. However, med school eats time. However well I have the process down for producing Kane's Mind, life on my end takes precedence. This is probably the same reason why Little Kuriboh tells people "Never, ever ask 'where is the new episode?'"
I decided to be a smartass and ask, "Okay, then, WHO is the new episode?"
Coincidentally, within two weeks, he released the trailer on "the death of Tristan Taylor." I had to laugh.
Ah yes, on the title of this blog...
"Insufficient Light and Madness" is a loose play on words, and the initials, ILM, are deliberate...a tip of the hat to Industrial Light and Magic, a company that made awesome special effects, and which employed a relative of mine (Michael Natkin) in two projects...Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park. In both of them he headed up the CGI software development team. Each project's effects required a brand new render system. And no...I don't remember him...according to my parents the last time I actually saw him face to face was when I was two years old. Anyway, the acronym hit me when I was producing a bumper for a video project for chemistry class in college. I was doing the whole thing in audio-visual effects using MacroMind Director (the predecessor to Macromedia Flash). "Insufficient Light" is another homage, to Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, one of the characters of which is "Phil, the Prince of Insufficient Light."
As for the madness...well, put it this way. You can't get into med school unless you're insane. (Not in the DSM-IV criteria of mental illness or threat to self or others, but in the more abstract and colloquial sense.)
So, here we go. I'll try to have links up to at least view my episodes. If I can't make a download link or account, I permit downloads of HD versions of my eps from my YouTube site.
Now, as my dad is an attorney (and frankly getting into deep legal crap could hurt my chances of getting into a good residency big time), and since Id games produced a seriously cool title (one of several, I might add) that I am using under (I hope) the fair use act, I must give the following disclaimer, which is more detailed than the one I use as standard on the YouTube site.
Ahem: Quake 4 was produced by Id Software LLC, a ZeniMax Media company (In my credits I erroneously refer to Id as "IdGames," but that's what the company is to me...they make awesome games, and in the PC vs. Mac wars, they made hybrids which was uber awesome to me) with Raven Software (Jedi Knight 2 was kewl, BTW) and published by Activision. All references used in the production are acknowledged as the intellectual property of their respective companies. The only things which I claim for myself is the video editing and the voice work. Any other extrinsic voice work for the purposes of production of this series belongs to the persons from which said voices eminated. The audio/video data is not for sale or rent, and should be distributed freely.
(Think Fansubs, guys...if you want to chance it, it's legit to collect money only up to (and no more than) the cost of the recording media and shipping. That's legit under the hall convention, I think...look it up to be sure. But come on, do you really want to screw over a company as cool as Id?)
That said...here goes.
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