﻿2. Progress report
Submitted to the collective for consideration by Andreas-9/DW, ARS Last Question.

Per my last report, my experimentation with creating a synthetic companion "pet" has continued. The learning algorithms I have created are evolving satisfactorily, in line with projections. I have used the time while the generations iterate to consider the physical form of my creations.

In my reading, I note that the Creators are significantly more likely to bond with a "pet" that exhibits the characteristic known as "cute" and thus I have endeavored to include this characteristic in my creations. My efforts have, however, been complicated by a lack of precision in the definition of "cute." The base definition appears to encompass neoteny: softness of form, clumsiness, infantile physical proportions, exuberance, and other similar markers of immaturity.

Complicating this base definition are a number of incomprehensible exceptions. For instance, I have seen broad agreement that the species P. regius, the "Ball Python," quote: "makes for a cute pet." This is in direct contradiction to its lack of any apparent "cute" physical characteristics, its solitary and predatory nature, and the general rule that snakes collectively are not cute. I cannot discern any rational, consistent reason for this exception. 

Likewise, the species R. norvegicus, the Brown Rat, is small, furry, hygienic, social, playful and can be trained to do tricks, yet is widely regarded with disgust. This can at least be explained by their role in carrying disease and their tendency to live in sewerage and scavenge garbage, but it proves that the definition of "cute" is not fixed.

Nevertheless, I have done my best to create a robotic form that meets the criteria for "cute." I have enlarged the main cameras, on the grounds that big eyes are a consistent marker for cuteness in the Creators' media. I have used rounded shapes, and a shade of cool gray scientifically proven to be soothing to the Creators. I have opted for symmetrical designs, and the necessary minimum of manipulator tools as my research indicates that "too many legs" correlates negatively with "cute."

I note negative feelings of frustration at the imprecision of this process, but I also note positive feelings of satisfaction with my progress, and confidence that these robot forms are aesthetically pleasing.

I will make my next report after loading the companion software into these robots and performing a trial run.

MESSAGE ENDS

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