People who peruse my compositions possess remarkably refined preferences, which leads me to presume that you are already well-acquainted with Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. For those who may have inadvertently stumbled here without prior exposure to this literary realm, I would greatly appreciate it if you immersed yourself in the series before proceeding. However, I am willing to provide an explanation of Hex for the uninitiated, and if time permits, delve into the peculiar tale of a man encountering ants within his computer system.
The Discworld series embodies a slightly metafictional adult fantasy genre where the inhabitants of the Disc exist in a manner somewhat parallel to our own reality, often experiencing intriguing intersections between the two realms. In some of the earlier installments, concepts like Hollywood, shopping centers, or even rock and roll (referred to as “music with rocks in”) are portrayed as quasi-magical anomalies or “wild ideas” that have manifested in the wrong place, time, and universe. Over time, the metafictional elements within the series evolved from dominating entire narratives to subtle references, some of which gradually accumulated deeper significance and thematic exploration. The intricate connections between Discworld’s science and our world are elaborated upon in two volumes of [ppp[1]].
Among the notable creations in this narrative tapestry is Hex, a remarkable computer devised at the wizard university by the equivalent of IT enthusiasts within the magical domain. Hex comprises a network of ants housed in glass tubes, initially capable of executing basic computations through the strategic placement of cards perforated with holes, guiding the ants into specific tubes—a clever nod to the primitive punchcard data processing methods of yore.
As Hex reappears in subsequent tales, it evolves in intelligence and complexity, incorporating additional whimsical elements. Adorned with a whimsical “Anthill Inside” label, Hex boasts secure external memory in the form of a beehive located in the adjacent room, while a mouse takes up residence within its confines, crucial for its operational functionality. Interestingly, Hex features an idle hourglass on a spring that materializes during intensive data processing tasks. Furthermore, as Hex attains self-awareness, prompting concerns from one of the wizards, a humorous reassurance is offered—that Hex’s perception of self-awareness is merely a facade, thus alleviating any potential worries. In an earlier encounter, a Discworld rendition of Father Christmas presents Hex with a teddy bear, affectionately known as FTB (Fluffy Teddy Bear), whose removal results in Hex’s refusal to cooperate.
Since its introduction, I have harbored a profound fondness for Hex. Therefore, the news of a computer infested with ants being detrimental rather than beneficial was utterly disheartening. Recently, a Reddit user by the moniker [ppp[2]] shared a distressing account of ants infiltrating their computer, consuming thermal pads and paste, inadvertently causing overheating issues instead of enhancing processing capabilities.
Initially, my inclination was to attribute ant-infested PCs as a personal woe. However, it appears that this peculiar predicament is not uncommon and may even be on the rise. Several years back, [ppp[3]] posted an extended gif illustrating their CPU/GPU besieged by ants—an unsettling reality rather than a hyperbolic scenario. These red fire ants, originally from South America and now an invasive species in the USA, exhibit a peculiar attraction to electrical devices. Their voracious appetite for wire coatings can lead to short circuits, and when an ant encounters an electric shock, it releases pheromones to summon reinforcements, perpetuating an unending cycle of ant infestation within the computer. Eradicating these resilient pests can prove to be a challenging ordeal, prompting drastic measures such as contemplating the relocation to Canada after setting ablaze to one’s current residence.
On a more uplifting note within the Discworld realm, Rhianna Pratchett has hinted at the development of new Discworld games, although uncertainties loom regarding the ownership rights of the beloved 90s adventure games.