Comments on: Lovable Implements of War http://www.localoaf.org/2007/05/12/lovable-implements-of-war-and-turing-ethics/ Information: It's the Magic Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:50:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Ken-ichi http://www.localoaf.org/2007/05/12/lovable-implements-of-war-and-turing-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-2203 Ken-ichi Sun, 13 May 2007 16:34:23 +0000 http://localoaf.org/2007/05/12/lovable-implements-of-war-and-turing-ethics/#comment-2203 I'm not sure it's anthropomorphism so much as social substitution. I suspect soldiers aren't imbueing their robots with human qualities because they they appear like humans (Kismet) or sound human (HAL), but rather because they fulfil a social role of vital importance (saving lives through self-sacrifice). I think if we had good reason to believe a disembodied AI was sacrificing itself similarly, or we had evidence to that effect, then we would probably give it the same social treatment. Also, both your ability and willingness to cite Trek <em>and</em> Marathon in one comment cows me into nerd submission. Also also, anyone interested in a TNG marathon some time this summer? We could all vote on the best 5 eps or something and hole up somewhere and watch them. We could invite Coye. I’m not sure it’s anthropomorphism so much as social substitution. I suspect soldiers aren’t imbueing their robots with human qualities because they they appear like humans (Kismet) or sound human (HAL), but rather because they fulfil a social role of vital importance (saving lives through self-sacrifice). I think if we had good reason to believe a disembodied AI was sacrificing itself similarly, or we had evidence to that effect, then we would probably give it the same social treatment.

Also, both your ability and willingness to cite Trek and Marathon in one comment cows me into nerd submission.

Also also, anyone interested in a TNG marathon some time this summer? We could all vote on the best 5 eps or something and hole up somewhere and watch them. We could invite Coye.

]]> By: yiming http://www.localoaf.org/2007/05/12/lovable-implements-of-war-and-turing-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-2196 yiming Sun, 13 May 2007 07:25:44 +0000 http://localoaf.org/2007/05/12/lovable-implements-of-war-and-turing-ethics/#comment-2196 Wow. Plain old mechanical 'bots gets this kind of reaction. Interesting. I guess that being through combat with a 'bot, which often might play a significant role and might save your life, would give you a more appreciative view of it. I'm reminded of Picard's speech defending Data as a sentient being in Star Trek: TNG, and Data's defense of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quality_of_Life_(TNG_episode)" rel="nofollow">"exocomp" drones</a>. And I have a nerdy enough reputation to survive making Trek references, I think. Still, is it anthropomorphism? If we had, say, an abused but disembodied AI ( a la HAL or <a href="http://marathon.bungie.org/Story/durendal2.html" rel="nofollow">Durandal</a>, though perhaps less psychotic ), would humans sympathize just the same? Wow. Plain old mechanical ‘bots gets this kind of reaction. Interesting. I guess that being through combat with a ‘bot, which often might play a significant role and might save your life, would give you a more appreciative view of it.

I’m reminded of Picard’s speech defending Data as a sentient being in Star Trek: TNG, and Data’s defense of “exocomp” drones. And I have a nerdy enough reputation to survive making Trek references, I think.

Still, is it anthropomorphism? If we had, say, an abused but disembodied AI ( a la HAL or Durandal, though perhaps less psychotic ), would humans sympathize just the same?

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