Disembodied head or heads piloting the Nostromo

Biomechanic, one of those helmets even farts, listen! Yeh, quite goofy but spooky the way they seem to 'chat' in those wierd voice soundbites. I like your idea of a human brain replacing a ship's computer, very bizarre. I have a thing about living disembodied heads being a symbol of true horror .

Space Jockey´s charging is to breed sth., Since it seems to be grown out of it´s chair it´s rather likely that it (they) grow(s) gray matter or some other sort of mysterios (and biohazardous) fluids which subsequently need to be filled up and boxed in anthracite cannisters/ urnes. it gives the impression as if a jockey is in fact a stupid assembley line worker. We can just hope it not turns out to be molten styrofoam. ; )

Hey Bio long time no chat bud. I would agree about the biological part but AI is prevalent through out the genre; ie the synthetics. There could be some precursor AI in the helmet letting mother know that the Nostromo has reached the beacon and a little communication exchange took place. I don't know though just an opinion. Rick

Hi Rick, I don't think biological or biomechanical brains and electronic synthetic AI have to be mutually exclusive. Maybe MUTHUR can be thought of as a highly advanced BIOS for the ship tasked mainly with explaining the ships needs to the crew, mission control and sensor input interpretations, a very analytical system with a rudimentary AI featuring the ability to speak fluently the low level machine language of the ship. The biological brain system may be there to interpret or command the bios from a much higher abstraction level (A different type of awareness). Perhaps two different technologies each with it's own advantages were interfaced together. Of course these brain computers would be considered a technological abomination of nature by humans so the use must be kept secret. You'll have to forgive me but I like the idea that Weylan Yuntani is run by androids, and that they think of humans as chattel and only useful as a tools. Fits in with Ash seemed to be condescending toward the crew.

LOL That reminds me too much of Skyline. If you haven't seen it I would go buy the DVD or Blue Ray

Curious...! A bio-engineered artificial intelligence with organic and mechanical/electrical components acting as an "overseer" or central control hub. It would pilot the spaceship and control/make all decisive actions and let the crew do their thing while it guides them to their destination. Then when the ship lands, it would go into a period of semi-consciousness. In other words, a "sleep" period that monitors functions, but receives orders from the crew. It could have its own personality, beliefs, and ideas-but could be manually disengaged at any moments' notice. This gives me an artistic inspiration.....thanks for the idea, suckers!