Imperial view of Cybernetics

[ruhalla]

I can't remember were but i have this notion in the back of my mind that the Imperium views cybernetics dimly or at least did in earlier versions of traveller/megatraveller.
Does anyone remember a resource mentioning that ?

 

[ruhalla]

nm found it in the rebellion sourcebook

 

[zagygthemad]

IIRC, not very happy with anagathics either. ;-)

 

[Reynard]

Supplement 8: Cybernetics page 37 (Cybernetics and Society) has a brief description as to how societies, which can include Imperial ones, react to cybernetics. Generally it's accepted especially for medical situations but can have social consequences. Your Traveller Universe need not follow this. Problem is it makes one look different and others may be uncomfortable with it especially with very obvious and extreme augmentations. This leads to penalties involving social and interaction tasks. Similar to our current Earth societies and piercings and tattoos or open carry weapons.

 

[Old School]

The issue with cybernetics within a Traveller game is that, unlike cyberpunk games in which cybernetic enhancements are a core part of the game, Traveller imposes no penalties, only benefits, for augmentation. An extreme social prejudice against augmentation is one way to mitigate this. The Mongoose rules allow for making truly superhuman travellers with enough credits. None of my players have gone hog wild with augmentation, so I've allowed (and even caused) some of the augments they have, but in a high powered campaign (i.e. one where the travellers have large amounts of money & resources), I can see it being an issue.

Or not. Maybe it's not that much different than a level 20 wizard wandering into the village, looking for trouble at the local tavern. YMMV.

 

[AndrewW]

The issue with cybernetics within a Traveller game is that, unlike cyberpunk games in which cybernetic enhancements are a core part of the game, Traveller imposes no penalties, only benefits, for augmentation. An extreme social prejudice against augmentation is one way to mitigate this. The Mongoose rules allow for making truly superhuman travellers with enough credits. None of my players have gone hog wild with augmentation, so I've allowed (and even caused) some of the augments they have, but in a high powered campaign (i.e. one where the travellers have large amounts of money & resources), I can see it being an issue.

Of course what the characters have their enemies could also have.

 

[Condottiere]

Maybe regeneration is cheaper, social pressure, and mandatory registration.

 

[Ursus Maior]

Maybe regeneration is cheaper, social pressure, and mandatory registration.

Local laws might be a difficult topic here, yes. Also, medical aid is problematic for users of cyberware, at least, if you augment yourself with stuff that's above the TL of the world you get shot to pieces. And of course enemies might have deeper pockets, so they can install better cyberware. I'm actually glad Traveller does not install a meta-mechanic to tone that down. Truth be told: Envisioned from today, most humans might very well not choose to alter their bodies in such radical ways. Most people have a problem cutting themselves open on purpose, let alone have large machineparts inserted into themselves. There is role-playing potential right there.

 

[Condottiere]

Arguably, in small ways.

About 3,000 people in Sweden have inserted a microchip — which is as tiny as a grain of rice — under their skin over the past three years, Agence France-Presse reported. The technology was first used in the country in 2015.

The implants have already helped replace the need for a host of daily necessities. Ulrika Celsing's microchip, which is in her hand, has replaced her gym card and office key card. When she enters her workplace, the 28-year-old simply waves her hand near a small box and types in a code before the doors open, AFP said.

 

[Reynard]

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin

Everything has a price.

 

[Ursus Maior]

Arguably, in small ways.

About 3,000 people in Sweden have inserted a microchip — which is as tiny as a grain of rice — under their skin over the past three years, Agence France-Presse reported. The technology was first used in the country in 2015.

The implants have already helped replace the need for a host of daily necessities. Ulrika Celsing's microchip, which is in her hand, has replaced her gym card and office key card. When she enters her workplace, the 28-year-old simply waves her hand near a small box and types in a code before the doors open, AFP said.

That is a larger number than I was aware of, but is this what we commonly think of, when using the word "cyberware"? A chip like this hardly augments your body or functions as a prothetic device. It's more like a keycard you implanted and would not even have own processing capabilities.

 

[Condottiere]

At some point, a lot of kids are going to get chipped, to keep track of them.

 

[zagygthemad]

It's a way for a communist/socialist/oligarchic/dictator government to keep track of their citizens, the chip is. the cybernetic implant can take care of injuries where there was traumatic amputation, great way to help veterans to restore their bodies after grievous wounds to make them useful in society again, so to speak. They would be able to do ANYTHING again.

 

[Condottiere]

So is the cellphone.

Plus, it eavesdrops.

This is where I would distinguish between regeneration and self powered prosthetics, if regeneration were possible, it's likely preferable.

 

[Garnfellow]

The GURPS Traveller core rulebook also has some discussion of Imperial prejudices against cybernetics. Of course, there's enough cultural diversity within the Third Imperium that I'm sure some worlds are very accepting of the technology. And I'm not sure that the Solomani would share these hang-ups.

It's funny how badly this tech has aged in just 20 years. Rather than have people with robot arms, eyes, legs, etc. augments in the 3I are more likely to be biological implants (synthetic tissue implants) or gene editing.

 

[Condottiere]

How 3-D-Printed Prosthetic Hands Are Changing These Kids’ Lives | Short Film Showcase

Traditional prosthetics can cost thousands of dollars and need to be replaced as children grow. A group of volunteers is using open-source technology and 3-D printers to provide free prosthetic hands for children and adults who need them. In this short from filmmaker Charlie Nordstrom, learn about e-NABLE, the organization behind the idea. Hear from Kieran, a child whose life has been improved by the device, and see the whole process unfold at Autodesk, a creative workshop in San Francisco.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl8ijPGEKO8

 

[Jame Rowe]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Imperium develops biotechnology to replace cybernetics as soon as it becomes technologically feasible.
IMTU it's developed at a lower tech level than it is in the OTU. YMMV and etc.