Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-03-26

[!1.7]Are you a genetically engineered wolf looking for a temporary reactor to transport to the asteroid belt? Try Kinetic Chemicals for all your spacefaring needs.

Even though this is exactly what I'm after, targeted ads this specific make me want to change the privacy settings on my browser.

Color by George Peterson

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-03-28

Hello. Commnet recommended that I come here for a temporary reactor for our ship.

You came to the right place.

However, reactors are dangerous. There are some steps to go through before I can let you have one.

Will that take long?

Nah. You're an A.I., built to be safe. You'll fill out a questionnaire that takes about fifteen minutes. Now if you were human, the process would take a week.

Color by George Peterson

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-03-30

You're in luck. Some robots have been discussing cyberforming one of the moons near the gas giant. They need a reactor for their advance base to do a feasibility study.

It's a proton boron reactor, so no neutrons activating surrounding materials. It does produce x-rays from bremsstrahlung during operation, though. The shield needs its own source of cooling.

I intend to follow all safety precautions.

Good. One of the less endearing properties of an energy source powerful enough to lift you out of a gravity well and compact enough to fit on a ship is that it does tend to kill people who aren't careful with it.

Color by George Peterson

The proton-boron cycle is one possible promising fusion cycle for future generations of reactors. The reaction of one proton and one boron-11 nucleus produces three alpha particles and nothing else. Heavy, easily trapped charged particles as products of the reaction would allow the creation of a reactor with direct conversion of particle energy into electricity without the aid of heat machines. The disadvantage of this reaction is that it requires 15 times higher temperatures than the easiest to master deuterium-tritium cycle. (KALDYH)

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-04-02

This is a polywell reactor. Since it's safe when shut down, you can move it dry. You'll need to fill the shield before operating. It takes thirty cubic meters of water.

Power connections here. Cooling connections on the other side. Basic control panel up front. I expect you will operate it remotely.

You can download the free app, though I recommend the pro version. Nothing is more annoying than having to click through pop up ads when you're doing an emergency reactor shutdown.

Color by George Peterson

Polywell. Unlike tokamak and stellarator, the word has not yet become a household name.

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-04-04

Maintenance is easy. Each block can be individually isolated, drained and removed to allow access to the reactor.

All parts are off the shelf items. There are hundreds of these in operation and they're a very reliable design.

Though should the worst happen, lack of neutron activation makes clean up a breeze. You can soak up core coolant in everyday clothes using a bucket and a mop. Try doing that after any other type of reactor accident.

Color by George Peterson

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-04-06

The reactor is larger than I expected, though it will still fit in our ship.

Great. We'll have you take the questionnaire. If you pass, we can work out the details.

[!1.3]Warning: Failure to answer all questions fully and honestly may result in human death or injury.

There are times when safeguards kick in so hard that I'm surprised there isn't an audible clunk from my head.

Color by George Peterson

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-04-09

We have chairs.

Thanks. Fine here.

That line about keeping humans from harm has you completely focused, hasn't it.

Yes. Poor conver-sationalist right now. Apologies.

Next time, get the a.i. into a comfortable position before the safeguards engage.

Color by George Peterson

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-04-11

Done.

Great. Let's take a look.

Uh, oh. You said you've tried marijuana.

Yes. Once in college.

It's considered drug use. Nuclear operators must be seen as having the highest standards of honesty and integrity. You need to lie on the questionnaire.

Color by George Peterson

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-04-13

The questionnaire invokes safeguards. I can't lie on it.

Hmm. That is a problem. How did you take the marijuana?

It was in a peanut butter cookie. A friend used them to treat her epilepsy seizures. I didn't know it was in the cookie until afterwards.

So it was an accidental ingestion.

I'm a first generation proof of concept. I try not to take substances that might get my parent company thinking “Her brain went bad. Let's pop it out and see what failed.”

Color by George Peterson

I have serious doubts, given her flair… which she has already demonstrated. Although, the caveat that 'didn't know until last' is intriguing… Libertarian Libertarian.

Nuclear reactors and targeted advertising
[!0.987]2018-04-16

A positive answer on drug use can cause all kinds of problems if you ever need a security clearance.

I can't lie on the questionnaire. Literally. Safeguards.

There must be a way around this.

Got it! I've got it! Malicious compliance!

Is that where you get in trouble for not following directions and even more trouble if you do?

That's the one. Shall we begin?

Color by George Peterson

Malicious compliance is the act of deliberately causing harm by faithfully following all instructions given by superiors, in the knowledge that following them will not lead to the result the superiors expect. The application of this principle in the workplace to class controversies is called Italian strike. (Mitrill)
And every biped is curious to see how this furry creature works. And so are we, the viewers. (Robot Spike)