Learning

Summary
A Compy should be able to learn. Easier said than done.

Text
This is going to be a big chapter so it will be broken up into small parts.

Contents

1. Positive Learning
   • A. Learning that benefits Compy
     • Pleasure
   • B. Learning that benefits other Compies
     • Altruism
2. Negative Learning
   • A. Learning that hurts Compy
     • Pain
   • B. Learning that hurts other Compies
     • Greed/Malice

1. Positive Learning

Learning that benefits Compy
Positive learning is any learning that occurs from an action or event that directly or indirectly benefits a Compy. For example, if a Compy finds a plant, decides to eat that plant and the plant does not injure the Compy–the Compy will learn that this type of plant is safe to eat and that it is beneficial to eat.

Pleasure is something that encompasses learning that benefits a Compy. In general, a Compy will do something if it “feels good”.

Learning that benefits other Compies
Positive learning includes learning that occurs from an action or event that directly or indirectly benefits another Compy. For example, (using the plant example again,) say a Compy (Compy A) finds a plant that is safe to eat and is good to eat. Instead of directly eating the plant, the Compy decides to save it for later and soon happens upon another Compy (Compy B). Compy B offers to trade an item (of higher value than the plant,) for the previously mentioned plant. Compy A accepts the trade and learns that it got a “better deal” than Compy B. (Note: economics is another topic that will probably start from the bartering level and has to be developed by the Compies themselves.)

Another type of positive learning that benefits another Compy has to do with altruism. For example, if a Compy (Compy A) happens upon another Compy (Compy B) who is hungry and starving, they may give that Compy B some food. This is only an option though because Compy A might not give Compy B anything at all and Compy B might even starve to death. This is decided by a number of factors described in the chapter on Compy Decisions.

2. Negative Learning

Learning that hurts Compy

Pain

Learning that hurts other Compies

Greed/Malice