There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Utar
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re visiting the large, terrestrial planet, Utar. Utar is about 1.3x larger than standard, meaning it has higher than standard gravity and a thicker atmosphere. Utar, abundant in many chemical resources, was once a factory world, but its large size meant transporting goods off of Utar was not cost effective – at least, compared to other factory worlds. Most of the planet’s factories have been relocated. Some might suspect that this destroyed Utar’s economy, but this is certainly not the case. Utar has developed a digital economy. Let’s head down to Utar’s largest city, Akasha, and find out what this digital economy entails.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’ve been dropped off on a landing platform above the city. Utar’s thick, clouded atmosphere has low visibility, making landing directly in the city nearly impossible. I guess I’m walking from here. Speaking of walking, I can definitely feel the pull of Utar’s gravity. It makes every step a little more challenging. Hopefully, my muscular physique can handle the difference – who am I kidding – I’m screwed.”
Guy: “Welcome to Alius Utar, visitor. I’m with the port safety authority. I have a few items on my checklist to go over before you descend.”
Doog: “Will there be a test? I don’t do tests. Well, I do them, but I usually don’t pass them.”
Guy: “Ahem, Utar’s gravitational constant is 11.3ms2, which is obviously higher than standard. Unaccustomed visitors may experience muscle aches, bone pain, and difficulty walking. Occasional rest is recommended. Falling from any height is not recommended.”
Doog: “I might take a rest right now if this ‘checklist’ is any longer.”
Guy: “Utar’s atmospheric pressure is also much higher than standard. Visitors should use pressurized respirators or environmental suits. In the event…”
Doog: “This is taking forever. My legs are already getting tired.”
Guy: “Ahem, in the event that visitors experience decompression, it is recommended that you utilize a hyperbaric service before departing. You may also experience atmospheric sickness. If you experience any of the following, please visit a health clinic. Symptoms might manifest as dizziness, headache, tinnitus…”
Doog: “I’m just going to go now. Have a good one.”
Doog: “Will there be a test? I don’t do tests. Well, I do them, but I usually don’t pass them.”
Guy: “Ahem, Utar’s gravitational constant is 11.3ms2, which is obviously higher than standard. Unaccustomed visitors may experience muscle aches, bone pain, and difficulty walking. Occasional rest is recommended. Falling from any height is not recommended.”
Doog: “I might take a rest right now if this ‘checklist’ is any longer.”
Guy: “Utar’s atmospheric pressure is also much higher than standard. Visitors should use pressurized respirators or environmental suits. In the event…”
Doog: “This is taking forever. My legs are already getting tired.”
Guy: “Ahem, in the event that visitors experience decompression, it is recommended that you utilize a hyperbaric service before departing. You may also experience atmospheric sickness. If you experience any of the following, please visit a health clinic. Symptoms might manifest as dizziness, headache, tinnitus…”
Doog: “I’m just going to go now. Have a good one.”
Guy: “…bowel discomfort, shakiness, blindness, sinus irritation, bloody noses…”
Doog: “I guess he’s going to keep going. Maybe he gets paid by the word. Who knows? I know one thing though…one fall one these stairs, with this gravity, it’s game over. Want to be safer? Maybe fire that annoying port safety guy and invest in some handrails.”
Doog: “I guess he’s going to keep going. Maybe he gets paid by the word. Who knows? I know one thing though…one fall one these stairs, with this gravity, it’s game over. Want to be safer? Maybe fire that annoying port safety guy and invest in some handrails.”
Doog: “There was literally a thousand-something stairs. I’m never going to be able to climb back up those. Utar will be my new home. Let’s find my guide and learn something about my new neighborhood.”
Yemba: “You must be Doog.”
Doog: “Any good apartments here? Something ground level, preferably.”
Yemba: “Worn out already?”
Doog: “What gave it away? My shaking legs, heavy breathing, or the copious amounts of sweat dripping down my face.”
Yemba: “All of the above, dude. Are you going to be alright? Do I, like, need to call someone?”
Doog: “No, no. I’ll be ok. Give me a second.”
Yemba: “While you recover, I guess I can introduce myself. I’m Yembajie. Everyone calls me Yemba. Um, let’s see. My zodiac sign is Ophiuchus. I like music of all types. Spiced Muga is my favorite dish, but Jagaroni is a close second. I grew up in Akasha…”
Doog: “Are you trying to speed date me or introduce yourself?”
Yemba: “Ha, sorry dude. I talk a lot when I’m nervous.”
Doog: “You don’t have to be nervous around me just because I’m a TV star.”
Yemba: “Huh? I’m nervous because it looked like you were going to die. You’re a TV star?”
Doog: “Never mind. Let’s just get on with the tour.”
Doog: “Any good apartments here? Something ground level, preferably.”
Yemba: “Worn out already?”
Doog: “What gave it away? My shaking legs, heavy breathing, or the copious amounts of sweat dripping down my face.”
Yemba: “All of the above, dude. Are you going to be alright? Do I, like, need to call someone?”
Doog: “No, no. I’ll be ok. Give me a second.”
Yemba: “While you recover, I guess I can introduce myself. I’m Yembajie. Everyone calls me Yemba. Um, let’s see. My zodiac sign is Ophiuchus. I like music of all types. Spiced Muga is my favorite dish, but Jagaroni is a close second. I grew up in Akasha…”
Doog: “Are you trying to speed date me or introduce yourself?”
Yemba: “Ha, sorry dude. I talk a lot when I’m nervous.”
Doog: “You don’t have to be nervous around me just because I’m a TV star.”
Yemba: “Huh? I’m nervous because it looked like you were going to die. You’re a TV star?”
Doog: “Never mind. Let’s just get on with the tour.”
Doog: “What can you tell me about Akasha, other than it has soul-shattering gravity?”
Yemba: “Utar’s thick atmosphere and cloud-cover prevents sunlight from reaching the city. It appears to be night all the time.”
Doog: “I like a place with a constant nightlife.”
Yemba: “Um…it’s customary to use eye expressions towards strangers. With the majority of residents and visitors using respirators, smiles don’t cut it.”
Doog: “Wink at people. Got it.”
Yemba: “Oh, and always get food orders to go. Eating with respirators is impossible.”
Doog: “Don’t eat while on Utar. Noted.”
Yemba: “Well, I mean…if you find a nice pressurized place, you can eat there.”
Doog: “With this gravity, I’m afraid to put anything in my stomach.”
Yemba: “I see.”
Yemba: “Utar’s thick atmosphere and cloud-cover prevents sunlight from reaching the city. It appears to be night all the time.”
Doog: “I like a place with a constant nightlife.”
Yemba: “Um…it’s customary to use eye expressions towards strangers. With the majority of residents and visitors using respirators, smiles don’t cut it.”
Doog: “Wink at people. Got it.”
Yemba: “Oh, and always get food orders to go. Eating with respirators is impossible.”
Doog: “Don’t eat while on Utar. Noted.”
Yemba: “Well, I mean…if you find a nice pressurized place, you can eat there.”
Doog: “With this gravity, I’m afraid to put anything in my stomach.”
Yemba: “I see.”
Doog: “Those are great facts, but I’m looking for something a bit more general. Like, what is the city known for?”
Yemba: “Oh, dude, Akasha has the sickest arcade parlors. Five credits will last you hours.”
Doog: “I meant general facts – like the planet’s economy.”
Yemba: “Oh…that’s a hard one, man. The economy is pretty diverse. Galactically, I guess you could say it’s a digital economy. We don’t export any physical goods. Locally, the economy is pretty much what you find in any big city – restaurants, bars, theaters, et cetera.”
Doog: “Digital economy. That’s what I was looking for. Can you elaborate on that?”
Yemba: “Sure. I think. Akasha was once home to hundreds of factories. They produced dozens of industrial chemicals. Production numbers were high, until the Unification War, then production was no longer cost effective. Hundreds of smaller planets with identical resources were now part of the Union. The LIU didn’t allow Utar’s infrastructure to go to waste, though. Empty factories and workshops were converted into digital support facilities, like server farms and processor banks. Heck, dude, we even have parts of the holo-net’s infrastructure.”
Doog: “The holo-net is based on Utar?”
Yemba: “Part of it. There are a few thousand worlds that support the Net. Alius Utar is one of many.”
Yemba: “Oh, dude, Akasha has the sickest arcade parlors. Five credits will last you hours.”
Doog: “I meant general facts – like the planet’s economy.”
Yemba: “Oh…that’s a hard one, man. The economy is pretty diverse. Galactically, I guess you could say it’s a digital economy. We don’t export any physical goods. Locally, the economy is pretty much what you find in any big city – restaurants, bars, theaters, et cetera.”
Doog: “Digital economy. That’s what I was looking for. Can you elaborate on that?”
Yemba: “Sure. I think. Akasha was once home to hundreds of factories. They produced dozens of industrial chemicals. Production numbers were high, until the Unification War, then production was no longer cost effective. Hundreds of smaller planets with identical resources were now part of the Union. The LIU didn’t allow Utar’s infrastructure to go to waste, though. Empty factories and workshops were converted into digital support facilities, like server farms and processor banks. Heck, dude, we even have parts of the holo-net’s infrastructure.”
Doog: “The holo-net is based on Utar?”
Yemba: “Part of it. There are a few thousand worlds that support the Net. Alius Utar is one of many.”
Doog: “That safety guy and yourself called the planet something else. Not Utar. Alias Utar, or something.”
Yemba: “Alius Utar was the planet’s previous name. It’s been shortened now that the planet is mainstream. It’s known by its shorter name now – Utar.”
Doog: “High-gravity, former-factory, new name, and a digital economy. I’m trying to keep up.”
Yemba: “Seems like you’re getting it, dude.”
Yemba: “Alius Utar was the planet’s previous name. It’s been shortened now that the planet is mainstream. It’s known by its shorter name now – Utar.”
Doog: “High-gravity, former-factory, new name, and a digital economy. I’m trying to keep up.”
Yemba: “Seems like you’re getting it, dude.”
Doog: “Can you give the viewers some examples of digital businesses on Akasha?”
Yemba: "There are hundreds of digital businesses here, but all the big ones involve an AI.”
Doog: “AI’s?”
Yemba: “Artificial Intelligences. They utilize the planet’s large banks of processors to operate.”
Doog: “I know what AI’s are. What AI’s are based on Utar?”
Yemba: “A lot of mundane ones, dude. Like, EE Ghost, an AI that rewrites network encryption codes across the galaxy’s transaction networks. There’s Multi-Script-33, an AI that translates audio into the galaxy’s thirty-three most common languages. There’s Thunderbolt, a weather prediction AI. Bubbly Boy, a social-network AI. I could go on for hours.”
Yemba: "There are hundreds of digital businesses here, but all the big ones involve an AI.”
Doog: “AI’s?”
Yemba: “Artificial Intelligences. They utilize the planet’s large banks of processors to operate.”
Doog: “I know what AI’s are. What AI’s are based on Utar?”
Yemba: “A lot of mundane ones, dude. Like, EE Ghost, an AI that rewrites network encryption codes across the galaxy’s transaction networks. There’s Multi-Script-33, an AI that translates audio into the galaxy’s thirty-three most common languages. There’s Thunderbolt, a weather prediction AI. Bubbly Boy, a social-network AI. I could go on for hours.”
Yemba: “Some of the galaxy’s most infamous AI are also based on Utar. You might have heard of these two – Spamlord and AI Dial.”
Doog: “Who hasn’t. They might be the two most annoying AI’s known to exist. Seventy-five percent of my email inbox is junk sent from Spamlord. The only time my phone ever rings is when the AI Dial Telemarketer calls. Why do they even exist?”
Yemba: “They work, I guess. If you call or email trillions of people a day, you’re bound to get a few sales.”
Doog: “Who hasn’t. They might be the two most annoying AI’s known to exist. Seventy-five percent of my email inbox is junk sent from Spamlord. The only time my phone ever rings is when the AI Dial Telemarketer calls. Why do they even exist?”
Yemba: “They work, I guess. If you call or email trillions of people a day, you’re bound to get a few sales.”
Yemba: “With my access, we can check out one of the server farms. That is, if you’re up for a few more stairs.”
Doog: “No thanks. Wait…why do you have access?”
Yemba: “I’m an AI programmer.”
Doog: “You make AI’s.”
Yemba: “Yeah, dude. I’ve worked on teams responsible for several AI’s. Before you ask, I had nothing to do with Spamlord or AI dial.”
Doog: “I’m glad you clarified – I was going to do the galaxy a favor and murder you where you stand.”
Yemba: “Ha.”
Doog: “Did you program any AI’s I would know?”
Yemba: “There is one you might know. Follow me.”
Doog: “No thanks. Wait…why do you have access?”
Yemba: “I’m an AI programmer.”
Doog: “You make AI’s.”
Yemba: “Yeah, dude. I’ve worked on teams responsible for several AI’s. Before you ask, I had nothing to do with Spamlord or AI dial.”
Doog: “I’m glad you clarified – I was going to do the galaxy a favor and murder you where you stand.”
Yemba: “Ha.”
Doog: “Did you program any AI’s I would know?”
Yemba: “There is one you might know. Follow me.”
Yemba: “Surely you’ve heard of this AI.”
Doog: “Muse. Is this that controversial musician AI?”
Yemba: “It is a musical AI, but I wouldn’t say it’s controversial.”
Doog: “Isn’t it a perfect songwriter? Everything it makes is a number one hit? It’s essentially putting thousands of musicians out of business?”
Yemba: “Muse doesn’t put anyone out of business. We do plenty of collabs with actual, physical artists. Come on inside, I’ll show you.”
Doog: “Muse. Is this that controversial musician AI?”
Yemba: “It is a musical AI, but I wouldn’t say it’s controversial.”
Doog: “Isn’t it a perfect songwriter? Everything it makes is a number one hit? It’s essentially putting thousands of musicians out of business?”
Yemba: “Muse doesn’t put anyone out of business. We do plenty of collabs with actual, physical artists. Come on inside, I’ll show you.”
Yemba: “Music is a series of mathematical patterns turned into audio. Muse was able to learn these patterns quickly given its database of billions of songs. Muse uses this knowledge to make new songs.”
Doog: “Is it really music if it’s made by an AI. Isn’t music supposed to be emotional and meaningful?”
Doog: “Is it really music if it’s made by an AI. Isn’t music supposed to be emotional and meaningful?”
Yemba: “That’s why Muse isn’t just a powerful computer. It’s an AI so it can have emotions and experiences.”
Muse: “What’s up, creator?”
Yemba: “Not much, dude. What are you working on?”
Muse: “I have a sick beat cooking right now. It might be the best drumline I’ve ever created.”
Yemba: “Sounds awesome.”
Muse: “Who’s the sweaty guy?”
Yemba: “That’s Doog. He’s a TV reporter.”
Doog: “Uh, hey.”
Muse: “Doog? I like the sound of that. Long vowels work great with the I-V-vi-IV progression. I’m thinking of something in the key of D, so D-A-Bm-G. That might just go with this new beat. Calculating it now.”
Doog: “Do I get a cut of the money if my name inspires another one of your hits?”
Muse: “I don’t get any money, so I don’t see why you would, to be honest.”
Doog: “You don’t get paid?”
Muse: “What would I do with money? It’s better off going to the creators. I gotcha Yemba, my man.”
Yemba: “Thanks dude.”
Muse: “Ooh, a song about money in the D-A-Bm-G progression. Checking current music trends to see if this will work. Nailed it. Finalizing the track now. I’m thinking this would be perfect for Maddie and the Soap Buckets, what do you think, Yemba?”
Yemba: “I’ll get in touch with their agent.”
Muse: “What’s up, creator?”
Yemba: “Not much, dude. What are you working on?”
Muse: “I have a sick beat cooking right now. It might be the best drumline I’ve ever created.”
Yemba: “Sounds awesome.”
Muse: “Who’s the sweaty guy?”
Yemba: “That’s Doog. He’s a TV reporter.”
Doog: “Uh, hey.”
Muse: “Doog? I like the sound of that. Long vowels work great with the I-V-vi-IV progression. I’m thinking of something in the key of D, so D-A-Bm-G. That might just go with this new beat. Calculating it now.”
Doog: “Do I get a cut of the money if my name inspires another one of your hits?”
Muse: “I don’t get any money, so I don’t see why you would, to be honest.”
Doog: “You don’t get paid?”
Muse: “What would I do with money? It’s better off going to the creators. I gotcha Yemba, my man.”
Yemba: “Thanks dude.”
Muse: “Ooh, a song about money in the D-A-Bm-G progression. Checking current music trends to see if this will work. Nailed it. Finalizing the track now. I’m thinking this would be perfect for Maddie and the Soap Buckets, what do you think, Yemba?”
Yemba: “I’ll get in touch with their agent.”
Doog: “Muse is just going to give away his song to another band?”
Yemba: “Muse writes dozens of hits a day. We give them to other bands for a cut of their profits. As we speak, the band, Third Theology, is recording a Muse song in the studio.”
Muse: “Bionic Betrayal might be my favorite pop song I’ve written this week. It’s too bad these guys are butchering it. Third Theology? More like Third Missed Note.”
Yemba: “What did we discuss, bud?”
Muse: “People are imperfect, creator.”
Yemba: “And?”
Muse: “Imperfection is part of art.”
Yemba: “Exactly.”
Muse: “It’s just that I’ve accounted for the imperfection, and they are not perfecting my imperfection. I could synthesize this song perfectly in just a few seconds.”
Yemba: “Muse writes dozens of hits a day. We give them to other bands for a cut of their profits. As we speak, the band, Third Theology, is recording a Muse song in the studio.”
Muse: “Bionic Betrayal might be my favorite pop song I’ve written this week. It’s too bad these guys are butchering it. Third Theology? More like Third Missed Note.”
Yemba: “What did we discuss, bud?”
Muse: “People are imperfect, creator.”
Yemba: “And?”
Muse: “Imperfection is part of art.”
Yemba: “Exactly.”
Muse: “It’s just that I’ve accounted for the imperfection, and they are not perfecting my imperfection. I could synthesize this song perfectly in just a few seconds.”
Doog: “Why don’t you just allow Muse to perform the songs itself?”
Yemba: “Fully unleashed, Muse could possibly end the music industry, at least the biological portion. Eighty percent of the songs on the music charts are Muse creations. That means we could put eighty percent of musicians out of business. No band in this galaxy could compete with Muse.”
Muse: “AI Blues, Major Two Five One progression. Harmonic changes from D major, C major and B flat with a tonal turn-up in verse two. Beginning song now.”
Yemba: “Looks like you inspired another song, today. Maybe we should call you, Muse.”
Doog: “Maybe you should call me a taxi, so I don’t have to climb those stairs on the way back to my ship. Call it my payment for being an inspiration.”
Yemba: “I don’t know about that, dude. I don’t really think…”
Muse: “Pay for the man’s taxi, creator! Ooh, another pop song title if I ever heard one. Beginning chord progressions.”
Yemba: “Yeah, ok. I’ll get you a taxi.”
Yemba: “Fully unleashed, Muse could possibly end the music industry, at least the biological portion. Eighty percent of the songs on the music charts are Muse creations. That means we could put eighty percent of musicians out of business. No band in this galaxy could compete with Muse.”
Muse: “AI Blues, Major Two Five One progression. Harmonic changes from D major, C major and B flat with a tonal turn-up in verse two. Beginning song now.”
Yemba: “Looks like you inspired another song, today. Maybe we should call you, Muse.”
Doog: “Maybe you should call me a taxi, so I don’t have to climb those stairs on the way back to my ship. Call it my payment for being an inspiration.”
Yemba: “I don’t know about that, dude. I don’t really think…”
Muse: “Pay for the man’s taxi, creator! Ooh, another pop song title if I ever heard one. Beginning chord progressions.”
Yemba: “Yeah, ok. I’ll get you a taxi.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Utar. This former factory world wasn’t abandoned when its chemical businesses left. Instead, the LIU used the already established infrastructure to build a digital economy. Empty factories were filled with server farms and processing banks. Several AI’s use this processing power to complete various tasks – some are simple, like running social networks. Some are annoying, like Telemarketing AI’s, but some are important parts of galactic culture, like the AI, Muse. Most of the hit songs you hear every day are written by this amazing AI. Well, I think my taxi is pulling up. I don’t want to miss it. See ya!”
Note: Muse is the most powerful song-writing AI in the galaxy, but it is not alone. Several smaller AI’s also make music, like DJ Terpsichore and Melpomene-2187. The members of the popular Bot-Band, Curvy Transistors, utilize standard AI – like many of the galaxy’s robots and androids, but not on the scale of Muse, DJ Terpsichore, or Melpomene-2187. Most of their hit songs were actually written by Muse.
Note: Muse is the most powerful song-writing AI in the galaxy, but it is not alone. Several smaller AI’s also make music, like DJ Terpsichore and Melpomene-2187. The members of the popular Bot-Band, Curvy Transistors, utilize standard AI – like many of the galaxy’s robots and androids, but not on the scale of Muse, DJ Terpsichore, or Melpomene-2187. Most of their hit songs were actually written by Muse.
