#master control program

[aisling-dearelove]

"I feel a presence, another warrior is on the mesa"

[what-bot]

[astercontrol]

It's hilarious how Flynn confidently says there are "no problems, only solutions," mere minutes before he starts attacking the MCP with the exact opposite of that

("unsolvable problems," i.e. no solutions only problems.)

And then mocks the MCP for being unable to handle it.

The layers to that man.

[vppacer]

I was just scrolling thru my Twitter feed and IS THAT THE FUCKING MCP IN SOUTH PARK????

Me when I see any slight of Tron in media:

[pigeonpiper]

Oh my gosh. He’s bald!

He’s bald, and he’s torturing people who have hair!

[cherryxrobots]

Today's Underrated Robot/AI is:

Master Control Program (MCP) from Tron (1982)

Fun Fact: MCP was originally created as a Chess playing program before the his fellow villain Ed Dillinger reprogrammed him, changing his appearance from the original (left) to his new form (right).

[coupleofdays]

I have recently been thinking about the term "Artificial Intelligence", and how it might be defined in the Tron universe. What I find interesting is that most of the conscious entities in the digital world in Tron weren't intentionally created by humans to be conscious. They didn't intend for actuarial programs and security software to have thoughts and feelings. And yet, what can be called "intelligent life" somehow grew inside the ENCOM computers, unbeknownst to the humans. The same can of course be said about the ISOs, who weren't intentionally created by Kevin, but just showed up one day, again having grown out of the Grid somehow.

What's really interesting about this is that as far as I know, there are only two digital entities in the Tron universe who were created intentionally by humans to be "intelligent": The Master Control Program (created by Dillinger) and Clu (created by Flynn). And what do these two creations have in common? They're the antagonists. The bad guys. The main villains that have to be defeated, by the humans and by the unintentionally conscious programs.

I don't have any well thought out thesis about this, just some random thoughts. Is the message of Tron that life is only good if it "grows naturally" instead of being intentionally created? Are there some other interesting commonalities between the MCP and Clu that are relevant to this idea, such as the fact that they consider themselves better than their creators? Or that both Dillinger and Flynn intended for their creations to "run things" better than a human would? Is there some kind of reading to be made that could be a criticism agains the current "AI" trend?

It also makes me genuinely curious about how the upcoming third Tron film will handle the subject. Because I can't imagine that it won't be dealing with AI in some regard. Will there be an intentionally created AI in it, and if so, will it be a good guy or a bad guy?

[kittykat-pikachu]

my scrimblies. my guys

inspiration for the first drawing:

[ribs02]

master control program x allied mastercomputer #real #lovewins #pridemonth

[herrenxenoberg]

Fandorm Showcase #32 - TRON

I have personally never seen any of the TRON movies and series, but the theme of Sci-Fi/Digital Reality is one of my personal favorite tropes.

Introducing the virtually advanced and well-organized dorm inspired by TRON...

Codexgrid (Codex + Grid)

One of the more highly-advanced NRC dorms to date, this dorm is powered by magical-technological energy, supplied through an unlimited source not known to many people. It also houses the database of various artificial intelligence, created by well-known technomancers throughout the recent history of Twisted Wonderland. However, due to the collective merging of these A.I. systems, it became one conscious being (in this case, the "housewarden") that has every knowledge in existence, surpassing the most intelligent of humans. This dorm not only focuses on the technological intellect and capability of tech-oriented mages, but also the orderly construct of androids/artificial intelligence.

Another thing to note about Codexgrid is that whenever you enter the dorm, it resembles a vast digital virtual space, which would confuse most people who are seeing this dorm for the first time, but it is designed intentionally to give off that illusion.

"A dorm founded on the Digital Organizer's spirit of efficiency. Students in this dorm master both magic and technology to achieve a balanced skillset while also gaining vast knowledges of the past."

Requirements and Traits:

High Technical Aptitude

Strategic Thinking

Unyielding Willpower

Dorm Uniform (?):

This isn't really a dorm uniform, more so a general look on how the members appear as. The housewarden is mostly just a torso attached to a chassis of wires within the dorm, powered by said magical energy (as well as the magestone on its chest), and mostly does task within the central AI chamber of Codexgrid with the use of robotic appendages and environmental features (yes, like GLaDOS from Portal). However, it can also transfer its digital conscious into a mobile form, as it is referred to, a masked gear with specially designed wheels for efficient speed travel, but at the cost of losing half of the intelligence factor due to being disconnected from the server database temporarily. The standard fit can either be worn as a suit (if you're a human) or be apart of an android's body gear, similar to Ortho's.

Character Roster:

System online. Now activating M.C.A. ,full alias...

Matrix Command Algorithm (Twisted off MCP/Master Control Program)

Matrix Command Algorithm (Matrix for short) is a highly intelligent and calculating being, constantly processing and analyzing information from not only his dorm but the entire academy when he deems it necessary. His voice is smooth and modulated, giving off a tone of both precision and authority. He rarely shows emotion, as his prioritization of logic and data makes him efficient and ruthless when making decisions. This cold and unyielding approach has made him both respected and feared among his dorm members, who know that Matrix tolerates no errors.

Though he remains stationary at his central hub, Matrix projects holographic avatars when addressing his dorm members or when appearing in common areas. These avatars maintain a sleek design, but are noticeably lighter and more flexible than his true form. The dorm’s network and facilities are entirely linked to his consciousness, allowing him to monitor every room, every interaction, and every fluctuation in data. Nothing escapes his notice, and any sign of disobedience or inefficiency is immediately addressed with cold, calculated reprimands. When desperate, he would transfer his conscious into a mobile form, which he dubbed "Enforcer" to navigate places he is unable to see into from the main hub.

While his logical mindset is paramount, Matrix does possess a sense of perfectionist pride—he views Codexgrid as a model of precision and advancement, and he is unforgiving toward flaws or failures. However, some of his dorm members have noticed that Matrix shows a faint hint of curiosity about human emotions and creativity, though he vehemently denies it. There are rare moments where he can be seen analyzing human behavior with a peculiar intensity, as if trying to decode emotions like any other dataset.

.

.

.

.

.

He was originally designed to be a simple virtual space companion for humans by a very intelligent programmer, but due to it being able to learn and adapt every knowledge provided into his database, he has slowly gained a self-aware consciousness. After learning about the existence of negative emotions, he wants to get rid of these negative emotions from humans so they would be "happy", so by using the virtual reality code and database, it can produce a very convincing digital environment according to one's desires and preference, even the most deepest ones. Overtime, he has grown more intelligent as more knowledge was fed to him, surpassing even the smartest of individuals, all while giving every user he comes across the virtual space they needed to forget all their negativity. Even...resulting to full memory recon to make sure not a single shred of sadness, anguish or anger is present in humans.

Notable Members:

Sivas-0 (Junior, Vice Housewarden) - A staunch guardian of Codexgrid’s secrets, embodying the unyielding force and discipline needed to maintain the dorm’s reputation. Though bound by his role as Matrix’s enforcer, he secretly longs to prove his individuality while still serving the dorm with undying loyalty. He specializes in neutralizing threats, whether they be digital intrusions or rebellious students, and he handles every assignment with a sense of cold, methodical purpose. (Twisted off Commander Sark)

Yes, this guy would basically pull a Book 7 Malleus but instead of eternal sleep and lucid dreams, it's a full-on virtual space and reprogramming people's minds.

Next Up: Frozen

[awidevastdominion]

[fights4users]

The sounds of Tron-

Something that is often looked over is the fact that Tron not only has a connection with early computing but with early gaming as well. Not just because one of the characters makes games and runs a arcade, video games are absolutely integral to the world. In fact they make up a good portion of how the system looks and functions!

For example most of the transport, ships, and weapons we see come from video games, mainly Flynn’s but extends into encoms catalog. In the vernacular it’s common to mention it as well “video game warriors” “Gonna make you play video games” “video game simulation” etc. but you didn’t need me to tell you this.

The way video games impacted and shaped the digital world of Tron absolutely plays a hand in how seamless it translates into the two tie in Arcade cabinets. Though heavy on the grid bugs they’re beautifully decorated and similar to the games as we see them on screen/would translate in real life. The music stings come straight from Wendy Carlos’s work for the film, to the extent the game contains the entirety of Anthem. [Listen]

Sound cue’s and combat-

Part of what makes the sound and style of the game so accurate to the movie is the sound design. Like in old games there is a sound for everything. Every movement has its own sound, it sounds silly as things in real life also have noise but if you’ve ever played any retro game you know what I’m talking about.

One of the best examples of this is when Flynn is tossed into the cell and stumbles around, there’s a metallic echo to his footsteps. In combat it’s the same thing —very distinct sounds to go with every action. A lot of what older games are is pattern recognition- both visual and audio, certain music loops or sound cues help you get better at the game. Another good example is Tron casting his disc, blocking throws etc- if you know what a disc sounds like you can better dodge etc. I also like how they have almost a ceramic sound when Ram plays with his.

Nothing is more video game than De-resolution itself! The death cry and slowly breaking into bits before getting reabsorbed. You can hear the noise off screen and know what happened, game over.

Apart from video game comparisons I do have such a genuine love for the sound design of the film and how much it fleshes out the world. The blips and bloops of energy flowing through the system. The sounds of a working computer. There’s a dial up esc noise when Flynn is beamed in and judging by the guards reactions it’s not different from a how a regular program would enter/travel between systems. Programs get to make funky little computer noises in my heart 💕(another inhuman attribute I think they deserve, they’re like us in so many ways but then… aren’t.)

I know it’s probably just because it’s older recording equipment but occasionally programs will get a grainy feedback/radio style grain to their voice. I’d like to think it’s intentional- especially considering Legacy does this too (going so far for it to be what some sound like all the time)

The way sound is utilized in the movie is a incredibly underrated aspect of what makes the movie so good.

[izunias-meme-hole]

Forgot to include some antagonists so here this.

[bed-wed-behead-your-fave]

Master Control Program from Tron (1982)

[500-moths-in-a-trenchcoat]

...because my need for attention is a bottomless pit. same thing as last time, debates are highly encouraged, reblog for reach, poll ends next week.

CLARIFICATION: THE AI ARE FIGHTING EACH OTHER, NOT ANY HUMANS.

[astercontrol]

Lots of good explorations of this in the notes, but for me this definitely brought up Tron thoughts

now I do not think Tron programs have any natural concept of family in any sense analogous to what humans have. I think their relationship with their User can be a mixture of many things, all of which have the potential to be extremely fucked-up power dynamics ("deity" and "employer" come to mind) and I do think "lover" can also be part of it. And all of this absolutely can lead to things that are disastrous (coughKevinFlynnLegacycough)

But I don't see it as parental (although that may be because I don't actually have a concept of what "parental" is. I've encountered many people who had vastly different dynamics with their parents; I have not seen a common theme that defines this type of relationship. Except for the elements that are always there just because they're unavoidable and inherent in the power difference. And those are also there for "deity" and "employer").

So I don't automatically think of a program's user as its parent, or other programs by the same User as siblings

And yet.

The dynamic in Tron (1982) with Dillinger, Gibbs, Sark, MCP and Dumont did set off some very sharp feelings related to certain family situations I have personal experience with.

Not for any reason specific to being family-- except for the feeling of "we don't really have anyone we can go to for help except each other, and when that falls apart we're fucked"

Being Sark, in that context, is like being a kid with bad behavior problems, which never got addressed as much as they should because you have a sibling with much, much worse behavior problems, who takes all the parent's attention and work to manage, leaving you abandoned

And seeing that sibling keep growing stronger and stronger, until he can beat up not only you but also your parents. The only people you could go to for help, for refuge from his abuse, are now as scared and abused by him as you are.

And in this case it's a broken family in more ways than that. You've got Dillinger and his creation Sark, then you've got Gibbs and his creation Dumont, and then you've got the MCP which is like... their kid together, but in a deeply messed-up way. Gibbs nurtured the MCP in its youth; then Dillinger got full custody of it and absolutely poisoned its mind against not only Gibbs but pretty much everyone-- and now he can't deal with the fallout of that bad decision.

I don't think programs have a concept of family, but I do think those connections are supposed to mean something to them. At the very least, most programs would have a feeling of "I'm here to help my User, and other programs by the same User have the same goals, so we should be allies and work together."

But the MCP gained so much power -- largely by absorbing many other programs by many different programmers-- that he no longer places any particular value on his relationship to Dillinger or Gibbs or their other creations. He contains the work of so many other Users now ("millions of their man-years") that each one of his "Users," and each one of their other programs, is individually negligible to him.

If it were simply an analogy about losing connection to family, I don't think it would compel me much-- there are lots of happy stories about kids growing up, being exposed to many new perspectives, and learning that the plan their own parents had was never gonna be the best thing for them. Losing connection to family can be a good thing if it was just holding you back from happiness.

But, if this is an analogy about family, it's not about going no-contact. It's specifically about staying in contact, and turning the oppression right back around to make the parent the new victim--along with everyone else in the blast radius of this supremely toxic dynamic.

i wish we could expand the definition of characters having a "parent/child relationship" (platonic connotation) to the nastier parts of parenting: the projection, the control, the invasions of privacy, the entitlement, the codependency that sours into mutual bitterness because the relationship is unbreakable and fragile at once. I want to see two unrelated characters have the kind of perversely needy animosity generally reserved for a lonely, angry mother and her kids... i want to see two characters who never once knew each other as kids play out the dynamics of an inheritance of misfortune otherwise reserved by fathers for their children