A Station Eight Fan Web Site

Gargoyles

The Phoenix Gate

Ask Greg Archives

Science and Technology

Archive Index


: Displaying all 35 records. :


Posts Per Page: 1 : 10 : 25 : All :


Bookmark Link

Seth writes...

I've noticed certain common threads in your shows, and I have to ask...what's the deal with your characters using giant staple guns?

Greg responds...

I think they're cool. And different.

Response recorded on March 14, 2017

Bookmark Link

no name writes...

Can halflings with a Gargoyle and a Third Race parent have children with humans - or human/Third Race halflings with Gargoyles?

Greg responds...

With or without the aid of magic or advanced science?

Response recorded on April 15, 2013

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

Dear Mr. Weisman,

I was wondering about a technical question that has to do with the steel clan. I noticed that these robots have jetpacks and wings.
If they can propel themselves with jetpacks, why do they have wings? Thank You for the best animated show!!!

Greg responds...

Most airplanes have engines and wings, right? They need both.

The wings don't flap. They're for lift and to aid in steering. Like rudders.

Response recorded on November 15, 2006

Bookmark Link

Wiu Wiu Pong Pong Pong writes...

What is a sense distortion laser beam

Greg responds...

It mucks with things like inner ear function.

Response recorded on May 18, 2005

Bookmark Link

matt writes...

in "Walkabout" why didn't they just use the computer virus Xanatos obtained in "Legion" on the Matrix when they were trying to destroy it?

i have to ask, does a question like taht one bug you? i mean, i can understand how a question asked about something taht has yet to happen or why something happened a certain way is fine, but does it annoy you when we ask, "why didn't they do this..." questions? i think those kind of questions would annoy me cuz they sound so after the point, so unimportant. and when i begin to ask a question like taht i can usually look at it and answer it myself as well as you can. for instance, my question above, my guess is you'll say, "they didn't have the virus with them in Austrailia" or "they had no way to transmit the virus to the Matrix." sorry for the long ramble about nothing, i'll just stop asking these obvious and annoying questions...

boy, i'm tired :)

Greg responds...

1. I'm not sure Fox knew about that virus.

2. You're second paragraph undercuts any annoyance I might have had with your first question.

Response recorded on November 19, 2003

Bookmark Link

matt writes...

when cloning a gargoyle, is there any way to predict how the coloring will differ, is there any order to it or is it completly random coloring? i mean does Lex's parent or grandparent have the same coloring as Lex's clone or what?

Greg responds...

The color differences, according to Sevarius, are a result of the forced growing procedure. If you clone a garg and allow it to age normally, the coloring should be the same.

I believe that the color changes are predictable. They tend toward the photo-negative, I think.

Response recorded on September 12, 2003

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

Why do the space-spawn require ships if they have molecular transporters?

Greg responds...

Transporters are very innefficient energy-wise. And they only work at the speed of light. They are impractical over great distances.

Response recorded on August 29, 2003

Bookmark Link

thrawnaka writes...

<<Just out of curiousity(I hope to what ever god/dess that I spelled that right.) I was wondering why Sevarius did gene splicing to make the Mutates? I watched this thing on one of the educational channels and it said that humans have little bits of DNA from every animal in their DNA codes. So, why didn't Sevarius just activate the exsting genes in them? Or, did he by that gene splicing?>>

In reference to your exasperated reply, lemme try to answer this. Humans don't really contain little bits of DNA from all animals. Its more like we share certain bits with other animals due to the fact that we have common ancestors. For example, a gorilla and a human's DNA is something like 99% the same due to the fact that we're so closely related. However, there's still a distinct difference between a gorilla and a human. In DNA, a little bit goes a long way.

To make a long story even longer, in order to get the kind of mutate hybrids Sevarious was shooting for, he would have to swap out some of the distinctly human DNA with say Cat genes for Maggie. So in the end, Sevarious would have had to "splice" in Cat DNA that we don't have.

Hope that made some sort of sense.

Greg responds...

It does to me. Thanks.

Response recorded on August 28, 2003

Bookmark Link

jjwspider writes...

>> Hey Greg,

Just out of curiousity(I hope to what ever god/dess that I spelled that right.) I was wondering why Sevarius did gene splicing to make the Mutates? I watched this thing on one of the educational channels and it said that humans have little bits of DNA from every animal in their DNA codes. So, why didn't Sevarius just activate the exsting genes in them? Or, did he by that gene splicing?

Well off to homework, "yeah".

Greg responds...

Sigh.

Anyone with a scientific background want to field this? Come up with an explanation that justifies what we put into the show?

Be my guest. <<

I believe that the reasoning here would be that as humans we contain DNA that is very similar to the DNA found in amimals (like proteins that have the same structure) but we don't contain the DNA of every animal per se. It may look like we do but that is just because of similarity of structure or similar proteins in our bodies. Sevarius spliced animal DNA to the mutates based upon which section of the animals DNA controlled a certain trait. But putting these DNA samples into their systems they eventually became grafted onto their own DNA structures, mutating the DNA, and causing their appearances to change in order to resemble their now changed genetic code.

I hope that helps Greg!

-Joe Wagner

Greg responds...

It does. Thanks, Joe. See, gang, the fans are always your first and best resource.

Response recorded on August 22, 2003

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

1.Would you consider the golem to be an AI since it is artificial?
2.If you could rank the AIs of the Gargoyles Universe from most advanced to least advanced where does the Golem fit?

Greg responds...

1. Uh, I suppose... but certainly not in the sense that the term is generally used.

2. I'm not sure we yet have any true AI's aside from Matrix.

Does even Coyote 4.0 qualify? He's certainly sophisticated by robotic standards, but is he truly artificially intelligent?

Would you categorize Coldfire & Coldsteel as A.I.'s when it is the sorcerous possession of gargoyle souls that engenders their intelligence?

Am I missing anyone?

So far all I've got is Matrix, who, yes, is more advanced than Golem, if you even want to put Golem on that scale, which I don't.

Response recorded on June 12, 2003

Bookmark Link

Joe C. writes...

I have a question about all the flying technology. Where are the fuel reservoirs on all these flying machines and armor? Also, the jet exhausts on jet packs you had on the show would obviously let out a lot of heat. What was to protect the people wearing these?

Greg responds...

Artistic license?

Either that or Advanced Technology. As I'm not a mechanical engineer, I'm not sure which.

Look, how about you write me back and tell me how it works. Assume it does work, and then give me an answer how.

Then we'll both be happy.

Response recorded on June 09, 2003

Bookmark Link

matt writes...

1. can a clone (like Thailog) be cloned? i see no reason why not, but i thought i'd ask...

2. if a clone was cloned would their coloring return to usual (i.e. Thailog's clone has Goliaths coloring) or would the coloring be entirely new (Goliath, Thailog and his clone all have different skin tones)?

Greg responds...

I'm going to be out of town next week, so this week I'm going to try to answer two questions a day to make up for it. You can splurge now or ration them out to your heart's content to get you through the gap.

1. I see no reason why not, however Dolly the sheep has demonstrated that cloning is not a tremendously effective way to reproduce. Even assuming that Sevarius' methods are more effective, a clone of a clone starts to sound a bit like a xerox of a xerox. Eventually, the copies are too weak to be useful.

2. Well, the change in coloring wasn't a result of the cloning but of the rapid forced aging. But assuming the clone of the clone was also rapid forced aged, than I assume the coloring would alter. A rapid aged clone of Thailog, might not look exactly like Goliath, but he might be close.

Response recorded on March 17, 2003

Bookmark Link

Galvatron writes...

I'm curious do humans have anti-gravity technology in 2198?

Greg responds...

I don't know.

Response recorded on February 18, 2003

Bookmark Link

theSquiggyOne writes...

How many versions of the Steel Clan has Xantos created besides the first batch and the batch in the Edge with electric defenses and advanced AI?

Greg responds...

There have only been two models of Steel Clan Robot.

The original model, commissioned by Xanatos, seen in "Awakening, Part V" and "The Edge" and "Double Jeopardy" and "The Price", etc.

And the Iron Clan Robot model, commissioned by Owen Burnett, specifically to battle Oberon and/or Titania, as seen in "The Gathering, Part II". These are larger, and their chassis are made from iron as opposed to steal, but most of the other tech specs are the same.

The so-called "Advanced AI" model that I assume you're referring to from "The Edge" was not a robot at all. But a suit of armor (red in color) that Xanatos wore. Though from the outside it looked like a red version of the robots, it in fact was obviously constructed very differently. I'm not saying they didn't use any of the robot tech on the suit, since they obviously did, but it also required a separate develpoment phase.

Response recorded on February 06, 2003

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

In the 2198 contest you said that gargoyles were experimented upon, but we never saw any gargoyle getting experimented upon or were you saving this for the third season?

Greg responds...

Well, one could argue that the creation of the clones counted as experimentation on Gargoyles, but, yes, I did have further plans.

Response recorded on April 23, 2002

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

Would you consider Xanatos, MacBeth and Demona¡¯s tech anachronisms?

Greg responds...

I consider it part of the Jonny Quest school of cartoon technology. Advanced, but believably only one step removed from what we know exists.

Response recorded on October 17, 2001

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

How advanced is the Illuminati¡¯s tech? Beyond Xanatos¡¯s tech? Anywhere close to New Olympian tech?

Greg responds...

There's no across the board answer to this. Different groups will be more advanced in different areas.

Response recorded on October 17, 2001

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

What are the steel clan made out of?

Greg responds...

Is this a serious question?

Response recorded on October 10, 2001

Bookmark Link

icemann writes...

Don`t think this ones been asked be for

Is there any way that technology in the future (2158 and beyond) could bypass the Gargoyles turning to stone? Cause if magic can do it, I can`t see why technology couldn`t replicate the same effect in some way.

Greg responds...

Not by 2198, or 2199 for that matter.

Response recorded on September 09, 2001

Bookmark Link

Punchinello writes...

______________________________________________________________________________
It brings me to another distinction: the one between sentience and artificial intelligence. Coyote, for instance, can throw a zinger, but is he self-aware? I don't think he is. Xanatos hasn't achieved (or would wish to achieve) that much, has he?
______________________________________________________________________________

I don't know anything about computer technology past it's relationship to cognitive studies into artificial intelligence. There is a lot of dispute about the possibility of an actual computer intelligence. I'm not competent to say if the possibility is real but I would not discount it. I can see numerous avenues for foundations for intelligence besides the neurochemical variety. Incidentally, I once took a Turing test...and failed. I was delighted.

Greg responds...

I don't know what a "Turing test" is. Sorry.

I believe that in the Gargoyles Universe that artificial intelligence is truly possible. I just don't think any Coyote robot we've seen has truly achieved it yet.

Matrix may be closer.

Response recorded on September 08, 2001

Bookmark Link

Saber writes...

Are humans and gargoyles genetically compatable as far as having children?

Greg responds...

Not without help from science or sorcery.

Response recorded on September 01, 2001

Bookmark Link

JEB writes...

How common will genetic engineering and cybernetics be by 2198? The same as the 1990s, commonplace, obsolete, or something else entirely?

Greg responds...

Not quite commonplace. But not as rare as in the twentieth century.

Response recorded on August 08, 2001

Bookmark Link

zakhur writes...

hi Greg! I was thinking, when at las gargoyles were discovered , I woul assume, that most cientific minds, espeacily biologists, would like to know and study this new species, given the bad history the gargoyles have had (espeacilly with Sevarius) would they give access to themself so they could be studied, I was thinking maybe Goliath would keep an open mind on this, so there would be more trust between gargoyles and humans, but I'm not sure, what do you think?

Greg responds...

I think that early on, Goliath and the rest would be VERY leery of allowing any further experimentation.

Response recorded on August 08, 2001

Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

Well, it's certainly a relief to have the Gargoyles 2198 contest finally over with; I'm amazed that it took us so long to get the last two answers right. Well, now for a few comments on "Gargoyles 2198"'s overall description.

A number of elements in it certainly surprised me. For example, while I had suspected for a long while that the Space-Spawn would be playing a major role in the spin-off, I hadn't expected that it would open with them actually conquering the planet. Likewise, I was certainly surprised at the reason for Owen being unable to become Puck in the series (Alex being in Space-Spawn captivity), though it did make sense (I'd had my own speculations for the reason for the "block on Puck" before the contest began, though I won't mention them here because of the rules - suffice it to say that none of them involved Alex being held prisoner by anybody).

Another element in the spin-off was one which I'd perhaps "half-anticipated", and which did strike me as logical, but which I hadn't been seriously expecting in "Gargoyles 2198"; the notion of Samson and Delilah working together. Now, before the contest had come out, I'd been speculating for some time over whether Samson would have some connection with Delilah - given their names, it would be almost impossible not to have something like that happening - but never gave it any serious thought since I obviously didn't seriously believe that the original Delilah whom we met in "The Reckoning" would still be around at the time of the spin-off (even when it was "Gargoyles 2158" rather than "Gargoyles 2198"). Of course, I hadn't counted on the possibility of a namesake descendant, but it certainly struck me as a good solution.

And I've got to admit, you found a way to have the Illuminati stoop to a new low in the spin-off; they certainly were shady even in the original series (deals with organized crime, the Hotel Cabal, supporting the Quarrymen), but now they've become out-and-out quislings.

All in all, the spin-off certainly looks promising. I don't know if you'll ever get it made, but it should be interesting.

Questions follow in a separate post.

Greg responds...

Thanks. I'm glad it intrigued you. I know you're more of a fantasy/myth guy then a Science Fiction Guy. Hopefully the show would still have a balance of both. But by definition that balance would lead more toward tech in this one.

Response recorded on July 02, 2001

Bookmark Link

matt writes...

would a biologist or Sevarius or someone be able to tell a sleeping gargoyle from a regular stone gargoyle? i would guess so since gargs don't actually turn to stone. would they be able to clone a garg from a few flakes of the sleeping gargs skin?

Greg responds...

The outer layer of garg skin is dead skin that is shrugged off on awakening, so I doubt that a few flakes would do. I guess, if they took some sort of core sample (gross), or ran the thing through a catscan or something. But a cursory exam... I don't think so.

Unless the 'regular stone gargoyle' was obviously an anatomical impossibility.

Response recorded on June 20, 2001

Bookmark Link

laura writes...

hello¡ my question is:
In manhattan, ebribody have a moderns pistols, but elisa have a old pistol.why?
(I´m sorry, my english is not good because i´m spanish)

Greg responds...

Um. Elisa has a modern pistol. So does Matt and most of the cops. Some of the crooks, however, are using the technology that Dracon stole from Xanatos in "Deadly Force".

Response recorded on May 30, 2001

Bookmark Link

Sapphire writes...

Oh Greg the episode Metamorphisis was pretty cool the mutagen thing and all. Do you know in reality how they do gene transference between different organisms like the gene tranference between Derek and a panther, electric eel and bat. Viruses they insert genes into viruses and inject them into a creature where the viruses insert the foreign genes into the creatures DNA and it usually takes 5 months for the creature's DNA to accept the foreign genes as opposed to the 2 days in the episode Metamorphisis. Also there is also a high risk that the immune system would gobble up the mutagen plus the body also gets rid of cells that are mutated so in reality if a mad scientist ever injected you with a mutagen containing the DNA of animals your immune system would destroy the mutagen or the cells that has been mutated

Greg responds...

Oh, sure. But, uh, Sevarius compensated for that with something that temporarily weakens the immune system.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Response recorded on May 04, 2001

Bookmark Link

Entity writes...

Hi Greg,

In "Walkabout," you state that David and Fox really were going to follow through with the Matrix reshaping the planet. I find that pretty jaw-dropping, even if it was to be a selective reshaping. They'd have to basically take over the world in order to do it. Not like they can just do it here or there and go about their business. But onto the specific questions:

1) What in particular did David and Fox have in mind for the world's reshaping? What did they see wrong with it that they sought to righten, or alter in their favor, with the Matrix?

2) How does this goal mesh with Xanatos' pre-established personality? I thought he was already comfortable in the world as it was. And why not? Free trade had evidently benefited him quite well. He was probably the most powerful, non-governmental man on the planet, no? X doesn't seem like the type to rule an empire, like in "Future Tense" (which was a tip-off as to the falsehood of Puck's dream). Rather, he seems to simply want control and power, but in a, well, down-to-earth way.

3) Did Anastasia care?

4) Does Xanatos still have the Matrix technology?

Greg responds...

All right, your 1st paragraph premise is faulty. When did I say that? What were my exact words? Cuz I certainly didn't mean to even imply what you've written here.

1-3) These questions are moot, given the above.

4) Xanatos and Fox still have the research that led to Matrix.

Response recorded on March 01, 2001

Bookmark Link

Jim R. writes...

Do you think our technology will progress further than the magic of Oberon's children? When will Oberon's children reach the limitations of their magic? Would any of them possibly decide to live amongst us mortals and begin thinking scientifically, like an outcast fae, that would prefer sceince over sorcery?

Greg responds...

1. Apples and oranges.
2. Who says they will?
3. To some extent, Titania has done this already.

Response recorded on February 07, 2001

Bookmark Link

(The Guppi) writes...

1) Is the company credited with the invention of the technology used in hovercraft owned by Xanatos Enterprises or Cyberbiotics?
2) Does Renard's chair work along the same principles?

Greg responds...

1. I don't understand the question.

2. Same as what?

Response recorded on February 01, 2001

Bookmark Link

LSZ writes...

Can AIs like the Matrix and Talos ever grow advanced enough to develop a capacity for emotion, or will any AI no matter how far it evolves always think in terms of cold pure logic?

Greg responds...

I don't set forever limits on anything when I can avoid it.

Response recorded on December 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Faieq writes...

I've noticed lately that you've been getting a few questions about the earth's rhythms that set the female gargoyles 20 year cycle.
I noticed in this book called '1500 fascinating facts about the universe, it's world and it's people,' a section about the earth's rhythms and biological clocks. I thought that this might help people to understand about these Earth rhythms. (This is quoted straight from the book.

"BIOLOGICAL CLOCKS ARE MYSTERIOUS TIMING SYSTEMS."

"What controls the patterns of our sleeping and waking hours or the bodily rhythms necessary to health and life? Some scientists belive that all living things have built-in timing systems. Others are of the opinion that 'biological clocks' are set by the natural rhythms of the Earth's electromagnetic or gravitational forces. Still others consider that both internal and external forces are responsible. Plants manifest rhymthmic changes in their 'sleep movements'; they raise their leaves during the day and lower them at night. Interestingly, this rhythm is maintained even where light and temperature are kept constant."

Greg responds...

Thanks Faieq.

And to the rest who doubted me: SEE!

Response recorded on December 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

LSZ writes...

On Garg evolution:

Quote: As to their numbers, it's a chicken/egg thing. They reproduce so infrequently. I think that once upon a time there was a risk of Gargoyles being a species that threatened to overtake the world - as humans eventually succeeded in doing. Gargs were tough, intelligent, mobile, cooperative and nearly invulnerable- even when asleep.Maybe Mother Nature gave them some handicaps on purpose. Maybe humanity was created as competition.

*snip a lot of very interesting stuff on evolution occuring on a planetary scale and the role of humanity in it*

1) Were the gargoyles 'created' as competition for the Lost Race?
2) Were the fae 'created' as competition for any for humans or gargs, or both?
3) If so, it seems rather unfair to give humans THAT big a challenge vs. nearly unkillable godlike energy being-esque things..why is a challenge THAT big?
4) Will a challenging race arise on the planet to challenge the current three someday?

Greg responds...

1. Don't take that quote too literally.

2. Ditto.

3. See above.

4. There will be challenges -- from many sources.

Response recorded on December 21, 2000

Bookmark Link

Sapphire writes...

Can mutates and humans have children together?

Greg responds...

depends

Response recorded on November 15, 2000

Bookmark Link

LSZ writes...

Did New Olympian scientists ever try to explain the workings of magic scientifically, seeing how it's a tech-driven society but has knowledge of magic?

Greg responds...

To some extent.

Response recorded on November 09, 2000