The Torkel Saga 2059: Imagination Number 5 – The Machine

Imagination Number 5 – The Machine - By Keith Torkelson, MS

Start Circa 1997

The Net Affect – Good versus Evil

The philosophical and ethical debate surrounding "The Net Affect" of Good versus Evil examines whether our actions, decisions, and systems result in a net-positive or net-negative impact on society. It explores the interplay between ethical frameworks, societal moral judgments, and personal accountability.

Does who you side with good or evil dictate your character?

Not inherently. Character is defined by why you make your choices and how you treat others, not the team you are on. Siding with good or evil might define your reputation or alliances, but your true character lies in your personal morals, motivations, and daily actions.

Imagine I’m a human. Enough said!

Rex talk to them. Tell them a story. If you don’t I will. Indestructible! Over 40 years ago now I became an imaginary lithium coated machine, The White Veritech. In doing so I became part of a construct I call The Machine: Protectors from those that would annihilate everything in the House of Order. The only thing the annihilators, giant flying enemy crabs, wanted was to acquisition, and propagate the blueprint of life as we know it on Earth, deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.

The story moves to the development of an intriguing sci-fi synergistic weapon system, the Veritech. Next, we move ahead to a campaign which defined the fate of a population of fictional beings. And last we address content material on fantasy.

It was the 1960s and many television shows were still in black and white. The country was going to war with North Vietnam. I as a child was warring along with other kids using Army Men, War Machines, and mock guns. Yet it wasn’t the North Vietnamese or the North Koreans that we were fighting. We were fighting the Japanese and the Germans. In one last battle in our young minds we the Americans defeated both being a superior power for good on earth. Then we outgrew playing War.

I was interested with defense. Anything even nuclear stockpiling could be justified in the name of defending one’s homeland. Through all the upheaval of the 1960s one thing emerged. Although the United States was not for the most part remedying global threats in reality, the good guys were kicking some serious… in the realm of imagination.

On TV there was an interplanetary family, the Herculoids, which fought for the preservation of their home-world, Amzot, with great success. There were several super powered aliases, Prince Planet, and (TOBOR) The Eight/Eighth Man are examples. There was King Kong a huge biological with great strength and compassion. All of these and more fought to maintain order in some way or another.

From the beginning in that decade long ago I found this imaginary realm, animated cartoons, interesting, telling, intriguing, and entertaining. There were several storylines playing Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons. There was Magic, Superpowers, and The Machine of machines.

The Machine is an arsenal of machines of great technology immensely ordered in its form and function. The machine initiative fought imaginary wars. Yet in general the machine left an aftermath of order for the victor and chaos (Entropy) for the loser.

I was but a child during the 60s and many of the animated adventures that I so loved feature synergistic Machine(s), pre-eminently Gigantor the “space age robot”. Gigantor was a tall powerful, invincible, and robust robot controlled by a 12 year old, Jim, via a handheld joystick assembly. Gigantor could fly and supercharge his potential energy with solar energy utilizing a device likened to a Solex. In our fantasy world a Solex is an Iridium-based battery assembly. Our Gigantor collects sun energy via a lithium solar sensitive (photovoltaic), absorbent paint-job.

Week after week watching the Gigantor Saga unfold, the most impressive thing was how demonstrating synergism Gigantor with the kid, Jim, they could obliterate armies of enemy people and representatives of bigger, seemingly “badder”, robots mid-stream or during the final encounter.

An interesting theme surfaced after I thought about the machine(s). The machine on our side nearly always won during the 60s. In other words, good nearly always triumphed over, staying, evil.

For 10 years I kept track of the tallies. During the late 70s the battle continued producing conservative more ethical tunes. Yet I never did forget those daily battles between good and evil of the 60s. During the 1980s I took my mind off TV concentrating on my studies. In what seemed like no time (3 Years) I returned to watching the imaginary wars for children in tunes. This time the synergistic machines, the likes of Voltron, were still winning.

In 1985 a surprising thing transpired, the machine lost and the life on a planet was annihilated. It came during an episode of Robotech. Not even the synergistic Veritech could stay the dismal fate for planetary life. After watching the saga unfold morning after morning crab-like enemy spacecraft decimated a planet with a force so supreme that not a living thing survived. The end had come to a planets (good) populous in the realm of imagination. The imaginary battles still rage today in the 2020s via video games, figurines, anime, animation, and cartoons.

Robotech

The Invid did not destroy a planet. Instead, their own original home-world was destroyed by the Haydonites (also known as the Children of the Shadow). Because the Haydonites feared the power of Protoculture, they attacked and devastated the Invid's first planet in the distant past. The surviving Invid eventually fled and settled on the planet Optera, which was later defoliated and ruined by the Robotech Masters.

FAQ - Are the Robotech Masters good?

Aside - Energy

Iridium Battery Technology (IBT)

There is no commercial battery entirely constructed of iridium. Instead, iridium plays a critical role as an advanced electro catalyst in cutting-edge energy storage and conversion systems, particularly in "liquid batteries" and hydrogen fuel cells.

Lithium Photovoltaic Paint (LPP)

Photovoltaic paint (or solar paint) is an emerging, experimental liquid coating that converts sunlight into electricity. By suspending nanoscale semiconductors—such as perovskite or quantum dots—in a liquid base, this technology allows virtually any surface, from residential walls to electric vehicles, to act as a silent power generator.

Metamorphic Iridium

In geology, "metamorphic iridium" typically refers to the extremely rare, native iridium (or iridium-platinum alloys) and Platinum-Group Minerals (PGMs) that form or recrystallize during the intense heat, pressure, and fluid interactions of regional metamorphism.

Iridium Economy

The Iridium Metal Economy (Precious Metals Market)

In material economics, iridium is one of the rarest, most corrosion-resistant precious metals on Earth. Its economic footprint relies heavily on its unique supply constraints and critical applications:

Supply & Demand: Primary production is highly concentrated in just a handful of deep mines in South Africa and Russia. Because it is a byproduct of platinum mining, supply is relatively inelastic and susceptible to geopolitical and mining disruptions.

Emerging Demand: Beyond traditional uses in spark plugs and specialty alloys, iridium demand is expected to increase due to the expanding hydrogen economy. It acts as a critical catalyst in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, which are used to produce green hydrogen. Market Tracking: Iridium pricing is volatile and highly sensitive to supply chain bottlenecks. For authoritative supply models, price forecasting, and PGM (platinum group metal) market trends, access the SFA (Oxford) Quarterly Iridium Market Report.

Iridium Mining in the Grand Canyon - Fallacy

FAQ - Where on earth are the iridium rich layers (deposits) located?

Tolkienism – We Totally Ignore

Tolkienism is a term usually referring to J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary style, mythology, or his devoted fandom… or specific mythological accuracy.

Legendarium

The term "legendarium" most famously refers to the vast, connected body of mythological and fantastical works by J.R.R. Tolkien. It encompasses all of his writings regarding the history of Arda and Middle-earth, including The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.

Good and Evil in Star Wars

At its core, Star Wars is a foundational modern myth built on a classic battle of good versus evil, represented by selflessness and the protection of life against tyranny, selfishness, and chaos. However, the exact definitions of what makes each side "good" or "bad" have evolved significantly across various narratives and fan interpretations.

What impact does Star Wars have on kids?

Star Wars impacts kids by serving as a modern moral fable that teaches core values like courage, hope, and friendship. It also acts as a creative catalyst for imaginative play, though the intense action can be frightening for very young children

Convergence of Fact with Fantasy

"Convergence of Fact with Fantasy" is a philosophical, narrative, and communicative phenomenon. It explores how objective realities and subjective imagination blur into a singular, shared truth.

Good and Evil in the Marvel Multi-verse

In the Marvel Multiverse, "good" and "evil" are rarely absolute. Instead, morality is depicted as a deeply subjective and fluid concept. Characters frequently cross moral boundaries, driven by subjective philosophies, trauma, or the belief that their destructive actions are justified for a "greater good".

Good and Evil on Netflix

Netflix features several excellent animated shows that tackle the classic battle between Good and Evil. Whether you prefer dark fantasy, adult comedies, or family-friendly superhero adventures, there are highly rated options streaming right now.

In animation is good or evil winning

In mainstream animation, good almost always wins. Studios like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks typically rely on "setup and payoff" storytelling, where good triumphs to provide a satisfying, hopeful conclusion for audiences. However, in darker genres like anime, villains or morally ambiguous characters frequently achieve victory.

Big O the meaning of: In the name of god ye not guilty

The iconic phrase "Cast in the Name of God, Ye Not Guilty" from the anime The Big O acts as a mecha's system authorization and absolution. It signifies that because the giant robot (Megadeus) was built in the name of God, its pilot is absolved of the sin of destruction when using it for righteous protection. It acts as a moral shield and a judge of character; if the pilot's intentions are pure, they are declared "Not Guilty." If the machine rejects a pilot with malicious intent, it will flash the words "Ye Guilty" and consume them.

Were all megadeus’ built in the name of God?

No, they were not. In the lore of the anime The Big O, Megadeuses (or Megadei) were built by humanity. They served various roles as ancient weapons, city defenders, or tools for conquering. Only specific "Big-class" Megadeuses (like Big O, Big Duo, and Big Fau) display the famous line "Cast in the name of God, Ye not guilty". The anime's director included this phrase as an homage to the swords of 17th-century executioners. It was meant to absolve the executioner (or pilot) of the sin of murder, essentially framing them as instruments of divine justice.

The Good and Evil of AI

Artificial Intelligence is neither inherently good nor evil. Like fire or electricity, it is a powerful tool whose impact depends entirely on human intent and regulation. While it promises unprecedented leaps in innovation, it equally carries massive risks in the wrong hands.

Enders Game

Ender's Game is a 1985 military science fiction novel by American author Orson Scott Card. Set at an unspecified date in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled humankind after two conflicts with an insectoid alien species they dub "the buggers". Humans win the war against the alien Formics (or "Buggers") by utilizing a young boy named Ender Wiggin to command the International Fleet. In the final, decisive battle, Ender bypasses the enemy fleet to fire a planet-destroying device directly at the Formic home-world, wiping out the entire alien race in one strike. The victory relies on a devastating deception: The Simulation: International Fleet command manipulates Ender into believing he is participating in a series of final, high-stakes combat simulations at the Command School.

Latest good versus evil animated features

The best modern "good versus evil" animated features offer thrilling battles between righteousness and malevolence, with stunning visuals and epic lore. These cinematic adventures—ranging from high-stakes martial arts quests to reimagined fantasy realms—stand out for their storytelling:

Sample Cartoons

The 7 Deadly Sins

The story of the Seven Deadly Sins follows a legendary group of exiled warriors who were falsely framed for plotting a coup against the Liones Kingdom. To clear their names, the warriors reunite with the third princess, Elizabeth, to defeat the tyrannical Holy Knights and take back the realm

Last Airbender - 96% liked this TV show - Google users

The world is divided into four nations -- the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation and the Air Nomads -- each represented by a natural element for which the nation is named. Benders have the ability to control and manipulate the element from their nation. Only the Avatar is the master of all four elements. The ruthless Fire Nation wants to conquer the world but the only bender who has enough power, the Avatar, has disappeared ... until now. His tribe soon discovers that Aang is the long-lost Avatar. Now Katara and Sokka must safeguard Aang on his journey to master all four elements and save the world from the Fire Nation.

Full Metal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is a critically acclaimed Japanese manga series by Hiromu Arakawa, serialized from 2001 to 2010, following brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies after a failed alchemical attempt to resurrect their mother. Set in a steampunk world, the story explores themes of sacrifice, morality, and family as they navigate a world of alchemy, military conspiracies, and homunculi. The series concluded with 27 volumes and has been adapted into two popular anime series, Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009). Themes: The story delves into the consequences of ambition, the meaning of humanity, and the bonds of family, featuring action, intrigue, and philosophical questions.

Can Jesus Occupy Alphonse Elrics Armor?

Alchemically, yes. If we view this as a purely theoretical question governed by the rules of Fullmetal Alchemist, a soul is a soul—whether it belongs to a historical/religious figure or an ordinary person. So long as a "blood seal" is drawn in the armor, the soul can anchor to it. However, looking at the physics and lore of Alphonse Elric's armor, there are several nuances to this idea: The Blood Seal: In Fullmetal Alchemist, binding a soul to metal requires a specific alchemical blood rune. Without Edward or a skilled alchemist applying the seal with the targeted blood, the soul will simply drift away into the afterlife. No Room for Two: The armor already contains Alphonse Elric’s soul. Because the magic specifically ties a single soul to a single suit of armor, there is no spatial capacity for multiple souls to share the vessel at the same time. Physical vs. Divine: If a divine figure's soul were placed inside the armor, they would take on the mechanical limitations of Al's vessel. The suit requires no food or sleep but is devoid of physical sensation and must avoid damage to the blood seal to prevent the soul from detaching. If you are thinking of a philosophical crossover rather than a strict alchemical one, figures like Edward Elric are sometimes discussed in theological essays as having "Christ-like" or Adam-like roles, but as a literal magical construct, it would be a "one soul per suit" rule.

Source of Armors in Full Metal Alchemist

In Fullmetal Alchemist, the most prominent suit of armor belongs to Alphonse Elric. This specific suit was an antique piece previously owned by his father, Van Hohenheim, and stored in the basement of the Elric family home in Resembool. Origin of Alphonse's Armor Source: It is part of Hohenheim’s personal collection of antique armors, originally located in the family basement. Material & Design: The suit is a large, full-body plate armor with medieval and jousting aesthetics. Its specific backstory in the manga notes it is a specialized piece known as an "Ogre Head" armor.

Why Would Jesus Want Armor?

In Christian theology, Jesus does not need armor for his own protection, as he is viewed as the all-powerful Son of God. Instead, the concept of the "Armor of God" is a metaphor from Ephesians 6 describing the spiritual defenses He provides to His followers to withstand temptation and darkness.Theologically, this armor essentially represents the attributes and presence of Jesus Himself.

Animated “Bleach”

BLEACH (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga series Bleach by Tite Kubo. It was produced by Studio Pierrot and directed by Noriyuki Abe. The series aired on TV Tokyo from October 2004 to March 2012, spanning 366 episodes. The story follows the adventures of the teenage Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper—a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from a Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki. His newfound powers allow him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits called "Hollows" and guiding departed souls to the afterlife. In addition to adapting the manga series it is based on, the anime includes original self-contained storylines and characters not found in the source material.

Dragon Ball Series

The Dragon Ball franchise, created by Akira Toriyama, spans multiple anime series, manga, and films. The core chronological viewing order starts with Dragon Ball, follows with Dragon Ball Z (or the streamlined Dragon Ball Z Kai), continues through Dragon Ball Super, and features the latest canon entry, Dragon Ball Daima.

Mortal Kombat Anime

No, Mortal Kombat is not an anime. It is an American media franchise created by the video game company Midway Games (now NetherRealm Studios) and owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. While it has spawned several animated adaptations, they are produced by Western studios.

Cowboy Beebop

Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese neo-noir space Western anime television series that aired on TV Tokyo and Wowow from 1998 to 1999. Created and animated by Sunrise, it was led by a production team of director Shinichirō Watanabe, screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto, character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto, mechanical designer Kimitoshi Yamane, and composer Yoko Kanno, who are collectively billed as Hajime Yatate. The series, which ran for twenty-six episodes (dubbed "sessions"), is set in the year 2071 and follows the lives of a traveling bounty-hunting crew aboard a spaceship, the Bebop. Although it incorporates a wide variety of genres, the series draws most heavily from science fiction, Western, and noir films. It explores themes such as existential boredom, loneliness, and the inability to escape one's past.

Samurai Jack

After being sent into the future by evil wizard Aku, young samurai Jack makes a quest to return to the past and undo the destruction caused by the wizard. Along the way Jack enlists allies to defeat some of Aku's henchmen and other villains before getting to the top dog to defeat him and find the portal that can return Jack to his own time. `Samurai Jack' was created by Genndy Tartakovsky, who had previously created `Dexter's Laboratory', one of Cartoon Network's first original series.

Star Wars Animated Features

The Star Wars franchise boasts a rich catalog of animated features, series, and short films. While only one fully theatrical animated feature exists, Lucasfilm has produced several standalone television movies, mini-series, and sprawling anthologies that are essential to the broader galaxy's storytelling.

Theatrical Film Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008): This computer-animated film served as a theatrical pilot to kick off the hit television series, following Anakin Skywalker and his new apprentice Ahsoka Tano as they attempt to rescue Jabba the Hutt's kidnapped son during the early days of the Clone Wars.

Television Movies & Micro-Series

Star Wars: Ewoks (1985–1986): A classic 2D animated series, two made-for-television movies were also adapted from its universe:

The Haunted Village (1986)

Tales from the Endor Woods (1986)

Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003–2005): A 2D micro-series created by Genndy Tartakovsky. It bridges the gap between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, following the Jedi as they lead the Republic army.

Star Wars Forces of Destiny (2017–2018): A 2D animated micro-series consisting of short, standalone stories focusing on the heroic women of Star Wars, such as Rey, Jyn Erso, and Padmé Amidala.

Anthology & Short Series

Star Wars:

Visions (2021–Present): An acclaimed anthology series where top Japanese anime studios and other global creators offer non-canon, highly stylized, and culturally unique takes on the Star Wars mythos.

Tales Platform (2022–2025): Created by Dave Filoni, this critically praised animated miniseries format explores the backstories of various prominent characters. It includes:

Tales of the Jedi (2022)

Tales of the Empire (2024)

Tales of the Underworld (2025)

Mainline Series

In addition to the one-off features and anthologies, the franchise features several multi-season animated epics that vastly expand the canon:

Star Wars: Droids (1985–1986)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020)

Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018)

Star Wars Resistance (2018–2020)

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–2024)

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2023–2025)

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord

For tips on how the animation style of Star Wars has evolved over the years:

Star Wars animation has evolved from stylized, angular 3D in The Clone Wars to deeply cinematic, textured realism in The Bad Batch, while also exploring diverse anime aesthetics in Star Wars: Visions. This progression highlights Lucasfilm's push to balance evolving storytelling tones with cutting-edge visual technology.

Is anime real?

Anime is fake. It is a style of animated entertainment (like cartoons) originating from Japan, which means the characters, powers, and stories are completely fictional.

Will AI be able to create AI?

Yes, AI can absolutely be used to create other AI. Today, large, powerful AI models and specialized platforms can automatically design, fine-tune, or code new AI systems. Here are the primary ways it is done: Automated Machine Learning (AutoML): Algorithms (like Google's AutoML) and platforms use AI to automate the design, testing, and tuning of new machine learning models, essentially allowing AI to build its own "children" models. AI-Generated Code: You can use coding assistants to prompt an AI (like ChatGPT or Claude) to write the complete Python scripts, frameworks, and logic needed to build and deploy a brand-new AI agent or web app. Model Fine-Tuning: Large models can be instructed to generate synthetic data or fine-tune smaller, open-source models for highly specific tasks like audio processing or data monitoring. For an inside look at using AI app builders to conceptualize and test AI workflows instantly:

FYI - Can Robots create Robots?

https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/03/evolved-robots-are-born-to-run-and-refuse-to-die

These robots are born to run — and never die

AI-designed met machines run in the wild, recover from damage and transform into new shapes

March 6, 2026 | By Amanda Morris

Will drones be able to think for themselves?

Yes, drones are rapidly moving from being remotely piloted to thinking for themselves. Thanks to onboard Artificial Intelligence (AI) and edge computing, modern drones can now map, navigate, identify objects, and adapt to unpredictable environments on their own, all without needing a GPS connection or constant human input.

What is the next step for Aura the Robot?

Sphere Entertainment (Las Vegas)

For the life-size "spokesbot" located in the grand atrium of the Sphere in Las Vegas, the next step involves ongoing experiential evolution. As she interacts with human guests, Aura's underlying AI is designed to continuously "learn" about human behaviors, humor, and emotions over time, allowing her to advance her conversational capabilities and answer increasingly complex engineering and trivia questions.

What is the future of Atlas Robots?

The future of the Boston Dynamics Atlas lies in large-scale industrial manufacturing, complex material handling, and "Physical AI." Backed by Hyundai, the all-electric humanoid is transitioning from an impressive R&D project into an enterprise-ready workforce solution designed to take on physically demanding and dangerous human tasks.

Gigantor

(Tetsujin Nijūhachi-gō; lit. "Iron Man No. 28") is a 1963 anime adaptation of Tetsujin 28-go, a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama released in 1956. It debuted on US television in January 1966. As with Speed Racer, the characters' original names were altered and the original series' violence was toned down for American viewers.[1] The dub was created by Fred Ladd distributed in the US by Peter Rodgers Organization.

Eight Man

8 Man, Eightman, or 8th Man is a manga and superhero anime created in 1963 by science-fiction writer Kazumasa Hirai and manga artist Jiro Kuwata. 8 Man is considered Japan's earliest cyborg superhero, predating Kamen Rider. The manga was published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine and ran from 1963 to 1966.

Cyborg

A cyborg (short for "cybernetic organism") is a being that integrates both biological and artificial parts. Coined in 1960, the term originally described modified humans capable of surviving in space. Today, it spans everything from restorative medical implants to speculative sci-fi enhancements.

FYI - Newer Good versus Evil Cartoons (Anime)

https://www.google.com/search?q=Newest+Good+Versus+Evil

FYI - Star Wars Time-line

https://www.reddit.com/r/StarWars/comments/17mbnti/yall_liked_my_last_years_timeline_so_here_is_a/