The drawing
on the left is the one above translated into
plan view. The three crude radial distances, Close, Near, and Far, are
all the Dynism will need, even when it develops more advanced
capabilities.
Similarly with visual angles, these need not be any more precise than
those
you see here. The drawing on the right is equivalent drawing, except
that
radial distance is represented logarithmically and visual angle via
sectors.
I will use either version of these `Tactical Maps' where appropriate to
describe the Dynisms new abilities.
In
the situation depicted above, the same as that we saw in `Decisions',
the Dynism is confronted by two Predators. Rather than Decide however,
the Dynism now extracts a Tactical Map. If it has evolved a ROM
template
to this Map, this will now cause it to turn round and run along a line
that passes halfway between the two Predators, not some angle to it. If
the two Predators are Near, but at a sufficiently wide visual angle
from
each other, another Template may allow it to run between them and
perhaps
escape that way.
These
Maps now become able to record the relative locations of any other
object, RAM or ROM. Far sectors record only large objects, closer ones
successively smaller ones. At this stage the Maps are not matched to
templates
however, their sole purpose is to allow the Dynism to pick its way more
rapidly through closely-spaced inanimate objects, such as a Forest or
field
of Boulders. Up until now it could only move slowly through these using
its simple avoidance reflexes and its Target Map. But by extracting a
new
Tactical Map each time a new object enters a sector, it can now in
effect
`plan a route' through them as it proceeds by moving towards empty
sectors.
If there is none, it must once more rely on its Target Map to find its
way forward.
 |
Tactical Maps may also help a Dynism to more easily
avoid Negative
Objects such as Holes or Ponds in its Terrain, or Chasms that may drop
to one or other side of it. |
In
their next evolutionary phase, Tactical Maps now extend right round
the Dynism and can become rotationally `decoupled' from it. By this I
mean
that, while they remain fixed in position relative to the Dynism, they
need no longer rotate with it. Instead they become fixed relative to
some
`Landmark Object' defined by one or the other of these ROM Production
Rules:
| 1. Large Landmark objects must be solitary relative
to all others in
the Visual Field (e.g.: a Mountain Peak, or even a Tree) |
 |
| 2. Small Landmark Objects must not only be
solitary, but have a Universal
shape like a Cube, Sphere, Diamond or Rectangular Block (some Rocks or
Boulders might qualify). |
 |
| Such Maps allow the Dynism to acquire many
additional capabilities.
For instance, in turning to run from a pair of Predators as before, it
may discover a third standing behind it. The Dynism may now evolve a
Map
Template to cover this situation. If two of the Predators are slightly
closer to each other than the third, it may match its Map of the
situation
to this template by rotating it, perhaps also rotating itself as it
does
so. This will then induce it to dash between the most widely separated
pair. |
 |
 |
Just as such Maps can be used defensively,
they can also be
used offensively against Prey. Three Dynisms may now surround a Prey
equilaterally,
then move in, weaving from side to side as they do to further reduce
the
risk of its escape.
|
While
this may work reasonably often using ROM Templates, it is too
inflexible to cope with any variations that may arise, like
irregularities
in the Terrain. The Dynism will eventually develop RAM Templates,
acquiring
these via experience rather than Evolution. This can happen in a number
of ways. Firstly, young Dynisms can become ROM-driven to take turns at
behaving like Prey and Predator during their Free Time. Second, if
Dynisms
have a Heirachy, the lowest-ranked Dynisms may be treated as Prey,
though
they may not actually be killed.
| The third possibility, and perhaps the most
important, is the ability
to observe and copy the Actions of others, something we will look at in
depth in the next chapter. Indeed, as we will see, most of their ROM
Maps
and Actions may atrophy and be replaced by experientally-derived ones.
The Dynism then begins to move from being a creature of Instinct to one
of Habit. |
 |
These
new Maps also go into the RAM as they are created, just as Action
Sequences do. They too are interspersed with Decisions and Gain Loss
Flags.
This means that as the Dynism proceeds through its Terrain, the
succession
of interlinked Maps it extracts reflects this `route'. They can then be
processed in exactly the same way as any other Sequence. Decisions here
though represent previously traveled Route Sequences meeting at a
junction,
Gain and Loss Flags may be inserted where a Route Sequence contains
Lairs
of Predators or Prey. They may also be inserted at those points where
energy
must be consumed at a high rate, or Components are stressed close to
their
limit. Like Action Sequences, Route Sequences can also circle back on
each
other as Loops.
The
list of Landmark Object also grows by extending into the RAM. This
allows more generalized Features to develop according to a particular
Terrain.
For instance, a Cave in a Cliff may become a Lair for a Dynism, or even
a Heirachy if sufficiently large, to provide better protection from
Predators
or even the Elements of PereGaea itself. The Route Sequences may
develop
to the point where they all ultimately lead back to a `Home Lair', and
may even come to include temporary Refuges a Dynism can scamper into if
pursued by a Predator.
 |
The limits to a Dynisms `Territory' within its
local Terrain may be
determined by a number of things, like the size of its RAM, the
capabilities
of its Body, and the risk of losing touch with any Heirachy it may
belong
to. Such Territories might be developed and explored by Young in their
Free Time, perhaps accompanied by Adults for protection and guidance. |
| Tactical Maps may also be incorporated into a
Dynism Heirachy itself.
Individual Dynisms may score Credits if they discover a Prey Lair and
can
lead others to it, especially any they are Pair-Bonded to. Bonded
Groups
may also develop the ability to drive larger Prey into Traps formed by
particular Terrain features like blind valleys, or even drive Predators
over Cliffs. Their increased mutual Credits may then allow them to `do
battle' as a Group within their larger Heirachy, so that they then come
to lead it. |
 |
Yet,
as I said earlier, the Tactical Maps that allow Dynisms to do all
these things need not themselves evolve beyond the simple structures
with
which they began. They may not allow a `precise' mapping of a Terrain
in
the way we understand it with our `grids', but they are less prone to
error,
especially cumulative ones. Their simplicity and flexibility may
therefore
be far more likely to produce Gains for a Dynism than exactitude.
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