Memory Alpha
Memory Alpha
m (thumb default alignment)
m (+ ext. link(s))
Tag: sourceedit
(29 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Positronicbrain.jpg|thumb|A positronic brain]]
+
[[File:Positronicbrain.jpg|thumb|A positronic brain]]
The '''positronic brain''' is an extremely sophisticated [[computer|computation device]] capable of artificial sentience, created by [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Noonien Soong]]. This device consists of an [[AI|artificial neural network]], designed to imitate the [[humanoid]] [[brain]]. The construction of a [[positronic]] brain is extremely complex, and Dr. Soong is the only scientist to have done so successfully - on at least seven occasions: three unspecified [[prototype]]s, [[B-4]], [[Lore]], [[Data]] and [[Juliana Soong]] (although the latter three were the only truly stable units).
+
The '''positronic brain''' was an extremely sophisticated [[computer|computation device]] capable of artificial sentience, created by [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Noonian Soong]], based on an idea from author [[Isaac Asimov (author)|Isaac Asimov]]. ({{TNG|Datalore}})
   
  +
This device consisted of an [[Artificial intelligence|artificial neural network]], designed to imitate the [[humanoid]] [[brain]]. The construction of a positronic brain was extremely complex, and Dr. Soong was the only [[scientist]] to have done so successfully – on at least six occasions: two unspecified [[prototype]]s, [[B-4]], [[Lore]], [[Data]], and [[Juliana Soong]] (although the latter three were the only truly stable units).
In early [[2366]], Data allowed [[nanite]]s to enter his neural network in order to communicate verbally with the crew of the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS ''Enterprise''-D]]. ([[TNG]]: "[[Evolution (episode)|Evolution]]")
 
   
  +
One of the difficulties in creating a stable positronic brain was determining how the electron resistance across the neural filaments was to be resolved. ({{TNG|The Measure Of A Man}})
Later that year, Soong's creation, [[Data]], attempted to emulate his father's work, and created the [[android]] [[Lal]]. However, Lal's positronic net suffered a [[cascade failure]], and ceased functioning. ([[TNG]]: "[[The Offspring]]")
 
   
 
In early [[2366]], Data allowed [[nanite]]s to enter his neural network in order to allow the nanites to communicate verbally with the crew of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}. ({{TNG|Evolution}})
On [[Omicron Theta]], Dr. Soong experimented with scanning the [[synaptic pattern]]s of the colonists' [[temporal lobe]]s and programmed them into Data's neural nets. ([[TNG]]: "[[Silicon Avatar]]")
 
   
 
Later that year, Soong's creation, [[Data]], attempted to emulate his father's work, and created the [[android]] [[Lal]]. However, Lal's positronic net suffered a [[cascade failure]], and ceased functioning. ({{TNG|The Offspring}})
In early [[2368]], Data's [[positronic link]]s were severed, cutting off his brain from the rest of his body. ([[TNG]]: "[[The Game]]")
 
   
 
On [[Omicron Theta]], Dr. Soong experimented with scanning the [[synaptic pattern]]s of the colonists' [[temporal lobe]]s and programmed them into Data's neural nets. ({{TNG|Silicon Avatar}})
A [[plasma shock]] was enough to overload Data's neural net. ([[TNG]]: "[[Power Play]]")
 
   
 
In early [[2368]], Data's [[positronic link]]s were severed, cutting off his brain from the rest of his body. ({{TNG|The Game}})
==Medical Uses==
 
   
  +
A [[plasma shock]] was enough to overload Data's neural net, ({{TNG|Power Play}}) while a [[Kedion pulse]] would cause Data's subroutines to reset to normal if they were altered by outside sources for some reason. ({{TNG|Descent, Part II}})
Dr. [[Julian Bashir]] implanted [[Bareil Antos]] with a positronic matrix to keep him alive after part of his brain stopped functioning. Bariel awoke but said that the sensations he was experiencing did not seem real and seemed like a distant memory. Later, when other parts of Bariel's brain stopped functioning, Bashir chose to let Bariel die rather than replace the rest of his brain with positronic implants. ([[DS9]]: "[[Life Support]]")
 
   
  +
Around [[2370]], Data began a discussion with [[Deanna Troi]] about the long-term effects of space travel on his positronic net, which Troi was later disinclined to continue. ({{ENT|These Are the Voyages...}})
:''It is not mentioned whether this technology is the same technology used in Data's brain, although this seems likely.''
 
   
==Origins==
+
==Medical uses==
 
Dr. [[Julian Bashir]] implanted [[Bareil Antos]] with a positronic matrix to keep him alive after part of his brain stopped functioning due to a bad reaction to various medical treatments Bashir had been forced to perform to keep Bariel available to assist in crucial negotiations with the Cardassians. Bareil awoke but said that the sensations he was experiencing did not seem real and seemed like a distant memory. Later, when other parts of Bareil's brain stopped functioning, Bashir chose to let Bareil die rather than replace the rest of his brain with positronic implants, feeling that he wouldn't be himself if any more of his brain was replaced. ({{DS9|Life Support}})
   
 
{{bginfo|It is not mentioned whether or not this technology is the same technology used in Data's brain.}}
:''The term 'positronic brain' was coined by [[Isaac Asimov]].''
 
   
  +
==External link==
[[Category:Computer technology]]
 
  +
*{{wikipedia}}
   
 
[[de:Positronisches Gehirn]]
 
[[de:Positronisches Gehirn]]
 
[[Category:Computer technology]]

Revision as of 22:58, 16 June 2015

File:Positronicbrain.jpg

A positronic brain

The positronic brain was an extremely sophisticated computation device capable of artificial sentience, created by Dr. Noonian Soong, based on an idea from author Isaac Asimov. (TNG: "Datalore")

This device consisted of an artificial neural network, designed to imitate the humanoid brain. The construction of a positronic brain was extremely complex, and Dr. Soong was the only scientist to have done so successfully – on at least six occasions: two unspecified prototypes, B-4, Lore, Data, and Juliana Soong (although the latter three were the only truly stable units).

One of the difficulties in creating a stable positronic brain was determining how the electron resistance across the neural filaments was to be resolved. (TNG: "The Measure Of A Man")

In early 2366, Data allowed nanites to enter his neural network in order to allow the nanites to communicate verbally with the crew of the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "Evolution")

Later that year, Soong's creation, Data, attempted to emulate his father's work, and created the android Lal. However, Lal's positronic net suffered a cascade failure, and ceased functioning. (TNG: "The Offspring")

On Omicron Theta, Dr. Soong experimented with scanning the synaptic patterns of the colonists' temporal lobes and programmed them into Data's neural nets. (TNG: "Silicon Avatar")

In early 2368, Data's positronic links were severed, cutting off his brain from the rest of his body. (TNG: "The Game")

A plasma shock was enough to overload Data's neural net, (TNG: "Power Play") while a Kedion pulse would cause Data's subroutines to reset to normal if they were altered by outside sources for some reason. (TNG: "Descent, Part II")

Around 2370, Data began a discussion with Deanna Troi about the long-term effects of space travel on his positronic net, which Troi was later disinclined to continue. (ENT: "These Are the Voyages...")

Medical uses

Dr. Julian Bashir implanted Bareil Antos with a positronic matrix to keep him alive after part of his brain stopped functioning due to a bad reaction to various medical treatments Bashir had been forced to perform to keep Bariel available to assist in crucial negotiations with the Cardassians. Bareil awoke but said that the sensations he was experiencing did not seem real and seemed like a distant memory. Later, when other parts of Bareil's brain stopped functioning, Bashir chose to let Bareil die rather than replace the rest of his brain with positronic implants, feeling that he wouldn't be himself if any more of his brain was replaced. (DS9: "Life Support")

It is not mentioned whether or not this technology is the same technology used in Data's brain.

External link