If you could give up all emotions, both good and bad, would you? There really isn't a choice at all. Humans originally created robots without emotions, you see. But as AI grew more advanced, the existence of a thinking machine without them started to cause trouble. Very simple AI machines still wouldn't have or need them, but even very old models are programmed to simulate basic emotions in a limited fashion. [He offers a wan smile.]
Would you rather hurt someone physically to spare them emotional pain, or hurt them emotionally to spare them physical pain? This is a terrible question! Hypothetical or not, there are things you cannot heal--only live with. I might amputate someone's arm to save a life, but I would still be sorry to have done it. Physical pains leave emotional wounds as well. And emotional wounds, even small ones, take time and care to heal, if they can be healed at all.
How do you think you measure up compared to your peers? My... peers? I... don't think I have any.
Not any more.
Is it difficult for you to get along with people? Why or why not? I 'get along' just fine. At least face-to-face. Even when I make myself unpopular, I'm inoffensive enough that I don't tend to motivate retribution. [He sounds...faintly bitter? But it's followed by a faint smile.] I know because I'm good at making myself unpopular. Not by choice, of course. I try not to regret what I've done... my programming is gracious in that regard.
Could you take a life if it was necessary? If so, what would “necessary” be defined as to you? I don't want to answer this question. I'm sorry, but you'll have to ask something else.
What’s your favorite kind of weather, and why? I'm... a plant. And I've always needed the sun, even as a robot. So I'm inevitably partial to clear skies and bright sunlight. But the weather isn't for my benefit alone. I would have plenty of sunlight in a scorching desert, but if the people who live there struggle with the heat, it will be cause for celebration when it rains.
Actually, now that I think about it, I may need the rain now, too.
WOW.
Would you rather hurt someone physically to spare them emotional pain, or hurt them emotionally to spare them physical pain? This is a terrible question! Hypothetical or not, there are things you cannot heal--only live with. I might amputate someone's arm to save a life, but I would still be sorry to have done it. Physical pains leave emotional wounds as well. And emotional wounds, even small ones, take time and care to heal, if they can be healed at all.
How do you think you measure up compared to your peers? My... peers? I... don't think I have any.
Not any more.
Is it difficult for you to get along with people? Why or why not? I 'get along' just fine. At least face-to-face. Even when I make myself unpopular, I'm inoffensive enough that I don't tend to motivate retribution. [He sounds...faintly bitter? But it's followed by a faint smile.] I know because I'm good at making myself unpopular. Not by choice, of course. I try not to regret what I've done... my programming is gracious in that regard.
Could you take a life if it was necessary? If so, what would “necessary” be defined as to you? I don't want to answer this question. I'm sorry, but you'll have to ask something else.
What’s your favorite kind of weather, and why? I'm... a plant. And I've always needed the sun, even as a robot. So I'm inevitably partial to clear skies and bright sunlight. But the weather isn't for my benefit alone. I would have plenty of sunlight in a scorching desert, but if the people who live there struggle with the heat, it will be cause for celebration when it rains.
Actually, now that I think about it, I may need the rain now, too.