Difference between revisions of "Lifeform"

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* The more general use of this term could apply to any kind of [[life]].
 
* The more general use of this term could apply to any kind of [[life]].
 
* This is a [[sophont]]igraphic term used in [[biology]] and other studies of galactic [[life]].
 
* This is a [[sophont]]igraphic term used in [[biology]] and other studies of galactic [[life]].
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Please see the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] articles for more information:
 
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* [[Life]]
 
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** [[Lifeform]]s
 
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*** [[Beast]]
 
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*** [[Creature]]
 
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*** [[Monster]]
 
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** [[Sophonce]]
 
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** [[Sophont]]
 
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*** [[Extilligence]]
 
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*** [[Intelligence]]
 
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*** [[Sapient]]
 
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*** [[Sentient]]
 
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*** [[Stimulus]]
 
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* [[Lifeform Origin]]s
 
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** [[Abiogenesis]]
 
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** [[Biogenesis]]
 
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** [[Panspermia]]
 
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* [[Lifeform Stage]]s ([[Civilization]])
 
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** [[A-life]]
 
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** [[Proto-Life]]
 
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** [[Creature]]
 
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** [[Proto-Sophont]]
 
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** [[Sophont]]
 
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** [[Ascendant]]
 
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** [[Transcendent]]
 
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** Post-technologicals
 
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* [[Lifeform Type]]s
 
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** Wet Life (organic)
 
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** Dry Life (inorganic)
 
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** Exotic Life (Neither organic nor inorganic)
 
 
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''[[Creature]]s'' differ from the minor and [[major race]]s (...of [[sophont]]s) in that they are not fully [[sentient]] or  [[sapient]] (i.e. creatures are ''not'' sophonts). Some creatures may display some attributes of [[sentience]] or [[sapience]], but lack enough of these attributes to be fully qualified as [[sophont]]s. This is also a highly subjective matter, much like the highly disputed definitions of the [[sophont]]ic Minor and [[Major Race]]s.
 
''[[Creature]]s'' differ from the minor and [[major race]]s (...of [[sophont]]s) in that they are not fully [[sentient]] or  [[sapient]] (i.e. creatures are ''not'' sophonts). Some creatures may display some attributes of [[sentience]] or [[sapience]], but lack enough of these attributes to be fully qualified as [[sophont]]s. This is also a highly subjective matter, much like the highly disputed definitions of the [[sophont]]ic Minor and [[Major Race]]s.
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===Lifeform Origins===
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There are three basic theories for the origin of life.
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* [[Abiogenesis]]
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* [[Biogenesis]]
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* [[Panspermia]]
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Within the {{Imperium}} the ability to discern which of these is true is muddied considerably by the activities of the [[Ancients]] about 300,000 years before the foundation of the [[First Imperium]] under the [[Vilani]].
  
 
=== Lifeform Types ===
 
=== Lifeform Types ===
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==== Singularity ====
 
==== Singularity ====
 
The [[Singularity]] is a point in the future at which all [[science]], [[philosophy]], and all conventional knowledge has lost normative meaning. It is functionally a post-technological existence where anything is possible. Some races think of it as the afterlife, while other consider it something entirely different. Whatever it is, it exists outside of the comprehension of {{TL|15}} [[science]] as a much-disputed theory.
 
The [[Singularity]] is a point in the future at which all [[science]], [[philosophy]], and all conventional knowledge has lost normative meaning. It is functionally a post-technological existence where anything is possible. Some races think of it as the afterlife, while other consider it something entirely different. Whatever it is, it exists outside of the comprehension of {{TL|15}} [[science]] as a much-disputed theory.
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==See Also==
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{{Referral-Tree-L-Life}}
  
 
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
 
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
 
{{Advanced}}
 
{{Advanced}}
 
{{Sources
 
{{Sources
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|S2= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
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| Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
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|S3= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
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| Contributor: [[User:BackworldTraveller|BackworldTraveller]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
 
{{LEN|Biology|Charted Space|Exobiology}}
 
{{LEN|Biology|Charted Space|Exobiology}}

Revision as of 22:06, 4 October 2020

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Lifeforms are the "non-intelligent" creatures, monsters, and beasts found throughout Charted Space. (i.e. creatures are non-sophontic lifeforms, who do not use technology)

Description (Specifications)

A lifeform can be any kind of life, conventional or unconventional.

  • Exotic life can properly be called lifeforms, but are usually more exactingly known as something else. The terms A-life or pseudo life are often used for non-baryonic lifeforms.

Creatures, Intelligence & Technology

And, by non-intelligent, what is really meant is a non-user of advanced technology. Some creatures are certainly intelligent on the level of animal (creature) cognizance (...or ethology), but not on the level of advanced technology-using sophonts. This is all a matter of subjective dispute though.

Creatures differ from the minor and major races (...of sophonts) in that they are not fully sentient or sapient (i.e. creatures are not sophonts). Some creatures may display some attributes of sentience or sapience, but lack enough of these attributes to be fully qualified as sophonts. This is also a highly subjective matter, much like the highly disputed definitions of the sophontic Minor and Major Races.

Lifeform Origins

There are three basic theories for the origin of life.

Within the Imperium the ability to discern which of these is true is muddied considerably by the activities of the Ancients about 300,000 years before the foundation of the First Imperium under the Vilani.

Lifeform Types

Creature Types

Sophont Types

History & Background (Dossier)

The presence of advanced lifeforms or sophonts is what most scientists believe distinguishes Charted Space from Uncharted Space or Wildspace. Simple life or creatures are rare enough, but still vastly more common than sophontic life. The rise and fall of creature and sophont species is of great interest to exobiologists and sophontologists throughout Charted Space.

Cycle of Life & Civilization

Cultural Overview:

Stages:

  1. A-life
  2. Proto-Life (transitory stage)
  3. Creatures
  4. Proto-Sophonts (transitory stage)
  5. Sophonts
  6. Ascendants (transitory stage)
  7. Transcendents
  8. Singularity

A-life

A-life, or pseudo life, is life "not as we know it." These kinds of beings, are mostly conjectured at and do not fit the definitions of conventional or unconventional life. They are exotic in nature. They are often believed to be non-baryonic in nature and some believe that they come from destinations other than the known universe such as jumpspace or alternate dimensions.

Creatures

A Creature is any kind of lifeform, animal, plant, mineral, or otherwise that is at an evolutionary stage that does not yet use technology. Creatures are not rated on the IISS Technology Level scale.

Proto-Sophonts

Proto-Sophonts are TL–0 lifeforms possessing advanced intelligence hallmarks and forming sophont cultures and civilizations. Their proto-technologies form a proto-civilization that will become the foundation of more mature societies and civilizations.

Sophonts

Sophonts are an intelligent lifeform and technology-using beings [Native Intelligent Life (NIL)] or Sapients, including humans as well as other "intelligent" lifeforms, that have a significant presence within Charted Space.

Ascendants

Ascendants live strange lives with even stranger motives. Their technology has advanced to a point at which their cultures and civilizations are barely comprehensible to conventional sophonts. Many ascendants no longer confine themselves to single bodies or minds. Most flaut the laws of physics as their technology permits. Their very existence defies conventional paradigm.

Transcendents

Life that approaches the singularity and a post-technological period of civilization are known as Transcendents. These beings are only conjectured at by modern sophontologists although the legends and folklore of many sophont species discuss them at great length.

It is rumored that a number of precursor species have become Transcendents. Many believe that the Ancients became Transcendents.

Singularity

The Singularity is a point in the future at which all science, philosophy, and all conventional knowledge has lost normative meaning. It is functionally a post-technological existence where anything is possible. Some races think of it as the afterlife, while other consider it something entirely different. Whatever it is, it exists outside of the comprehension of TL–15 science as a much-disputed theory.

See Also

Life

§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §

References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
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