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Dumbdo
Gravity Wave Generator*
Image from Keith Wigdor and Bing Image Creator
A Dumbdo gravity wave generator, which has an integrated, user-friendly interface which is both fool-proof and fail-safe.

Dumbdo is 'Dumbdowned tech'; ultratech that can be used by an untrained human baseline (or equivalent) without risk.

Ultratech is defined as transapient-derived technology that can nevertheless be built, used and understood by modosophont tech-users. In most cases, this technology has been developed by transapients or archailects first, but this is only because such advanced entities can work much faster when developing new scientific concepts, applications, and working designs. However, the basic principles can be understood and used by modos, even though this may take a considerable amount of training, skill modules or comprehensive tachididaxy.

However, 'dumbdo' tech is designed to be used safely by an untrained (and not necessarily responsible) human baseline, or any other modosophont with a similar level of sophistication. Dumbdo tech typically has a fool-proof and fail-safe user-friendly interface, so that the untrained user cannot cause harm to themself or to other individuals (and usually, they cannot cause significant property damage, unless they have permission to do so). Sometimes a piece of dumbdo will simply cease to operate if asked to do anything dangerous or destructive.

Some types of dumbdo come complete with integrated skill modules, so that an untrained user can quickly download the operating instructions and necessary skills; this is known as 'augie dumbdo' and allows a user with a direct neural interface to use a piece of unfamiliar ultratech. Technology that is safe to use without an interface [a Direct Neural Interface] is sometimes known as 'duh dumbdo'.

Foolproof and failsafe technology with user-friendly control systems is commonplace in the Terragen Sphere and can be found in hi-tech and middle-tech levels as well. Indeed, ease of use by any untrained sophont is a desirable characteristic at all levels of technology.

The ultimate aim of any clarketech hunter is to find transapientech that can be used safely by anybody, even a fool; but this sort of 'clarketech dumbdo' is vanishingly hard to find, and often is far more dangerous than it appears.
 
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Appears in Topics
Technology LevelsTechnology Type or MaterialUltratech
 
Development Notes
Text by M. Alan Kazlev
Rewritten by Steve Bowers and Todd Drashner 2024
Initially published on 09 October 2001.

 
 
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