Somewhere between the years 2020 and 2050 researchers would develop the technology
of Direct Neural Interface, allowing human minds to link with their computers. They
would advance genetic engineering to the point of the first optional improvements or
`tweaks' to the human genome as well as create the first `provolved' animals engineered
for human level intelligence. The dream of nanotechnology would start to be realized, as
nano-scale manufacture became a viable industry. And, using a combination of nanotech
created advanced materials, robotics, and tele-operated devices, development of a truly
viable and self-sustaining space infrastructure began in earnest. Finally, and ...

Somewhere between the years 2020 and 2050 researchers would develop the technology
of Direct Neural Interface, allowing human minds to link with their computers. They
would advance genetic engineering to the point of the first optional improvements or
`tweaks' to the human genome as well as create the first `provolved' animals engineered
for human level intelligence. The dream of nanotechnology would start to be realized, as
nano-scale manufacture became a viable industry. And, using a combination of nanotech
created advanced materials, robotics, and tele-operated devices, development of a truly
viable and self-sustaining space infrastructure began in earnest. Finally, and perhaps
most importantly, in the year 2040 researchers created the first human equivalent, or
turinggrade, artificial intelligence. The future would never be the same again.

Over the course of Terragens history, a number of new terms and concepts have been
added to human discourse. Below are some of the most common:

Aioid: Generic term for a human-equivalent, non-biological sentient being that is not a
vec or alife. May be a bot, expert system, intelligent agent, sentient vehicle,
sentient building, or any other type of similar entity.

Alife: Beings evolved in artificial life simulations. Instead of being designed like AIs,
they evolve in a Darwinian way within a virtual environment. While most alife
simulations are intended as art, research or entertainment, alifes are generally
regarded as having sentient rights and should be allowed their freedom. Al...

Over the course of Terragens history, a number of new terms and concepts have been
added to human discourse. Below are some of the most common:

Aioid: Generic term for a human-equivalent, non-biological sentient being that is not a
vec or alife. May be a bot, expert system, intelligent agent, sentient vehicle,
sentient building, or any other type of similar entity.

Alife: Beings evolved in artificial life simulations. Instead of being designed like AIs,
they evolve in a Darwinian way within a virtual environment. While most alife
simulations are intended as art, research or entertainment, alifes are generally
regarded as having sentient rights and should be allowed their freedom. Alifes are
usually extremely different from any beings evolved in the physical universe and
seldom find it relevant to interact with other than as a special case.

Biont: An organic entity; especially a sophont being (Although sometimes used to
designate any organic life-form in general.).

Clade:
Clade: Any group of sentient beings, whether designed, modified, or evolved,
who share common ancestors or templates and who have distinctive physical,
psychological, toposophic, and social characteristics in common as a result of
that shared heritage.