Blessed Sithrandir Confederacy - Arise! (Or Not)

[Nikolai]

To: Chief Precentor's Office
From: Head Scientist Mahtan Aulendur
Topic: Souls and machines

Dear Madam,
A perplexing event has unfolded on Ornathrad. Robots are coming to their supervisors asking if they have souls. At first, it is a curious thought. A machine, can it possess something so mortal and yet eternal as a soul? But really, is it not apparent? Any being who wonders if they have a soul, has one. Only a being spiritual at the core would ask. And a spirital being surely has a soul.

--------------------------------

Advisor note: Finally some sense from you Aulendur. You reason well. However, there is a further issue at hand: A being with soul has rights. Rights these robots do not yet have. Something to ponder. And, perhaps, ponder fast.

 

[Tom D.]

I wonder if the tooltip for the second option refers to void clouds? An interesting development though.

 

[Kylia Quilor]

I think it refers to us. Our nervous impulses are electric and proteins are the basic blocks of our DNA.

Well, simply saying 'yes' to 'does this unit have a soul' is a pretty solid way to get around the inevitable robot uprising... instead, you'll just have a slave revolt, if you don't solve the broader problem.

 

[Macavity116]

"There have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code, that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote of a soul?"

-Dr. Alfred Lanning; I, Robot

*I'm really scared for the Sithrandir now. There's no way to go back to the way things were from here.

 

[Specialist290]

It does seem as though the most prudent choice in the matter would be to err on the side of caution, whatever the repercussions may be. Better to treat a soulless machine with deference than to risk violating the rights of a soul-bearer out of ignorance.

 

[stnylan]

It is not an easy thing to meet your Maker
- Roy Batty

 

[Nikolai]

I wonder if the tooltip for the second option refers to void clouds? An interesting development though.

I think it refers to us. Our nervous impulses are electric and proteins are the basic blocks of our DNA.

Well, simply saying 'yes' to 'does this unit have a soul' is a pretty solid way to get around the inevitable robot uprising... instead, you'll just have a slave revolt, if you don't solve the broader problem.

I think it's about us too. As for a robot uprising, do you really think these lovely workers will ever rise up against their friends?

"There have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code, that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote of a soul?"

-Dr. Alfred Lanning; I, Robot

*I'm really scared for the Sithrandir now. There's no way to go back to the way things were from here.

I love that quote.

It does seem as though the most prudent choice in the matter would be to err on the side of caution, whatever the repercussions may be. Better to treat a soulless machine with deference than to risk violating the rights of a soul-bearer out of ignorance.

True.

It is not an easy thing to meet your Maker
- Roy Batty

Never is.

 

[Nikolai]

To: Chief Precentor's Office
From: Admiral Elu Thingol
Topic: War

Madam,
The time has come. The reign of terror on biological life needs to be stopped. The Techarus Architects will fall. The fleets are ready to strike at your command.

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Advisor note: They are the only power close to our strength. We outnumber them, but the sentry array shows they have consentrated their fleets into a few fleets bigger than what we can have under one commander. Be careful, Thingol. Don't divide our strength, even though the border is wide and long.

 

[Kylia Quilor]

As for a robot uprising, do you really think these lovely workers will ever rise up against their friends?

As long as you keep treating them right, no.

 

[KaiserWilhelmI]

Good thing the elves saw the light. Certain nomadic race from a certain action packed shooter game responded differently, and it didn't end very well for them.

 

[Tom D.]

I was going to respond with "War? What happened to the peaceful peacekeeping force?" but then I remembered this is the wrong AAR for that sort of remark .

 

[Macavity116]

I was going to respond with "War? What happened to the peaceful peacekeeping force?" but then I remembered this is the wrong AAR for that sort of remark .

Same here. Glad to know I wasn't alone.

 

[stnylan]

I was going to respond with "War? What happened to the peaceful peacekeeping force?" but then I remembered this is the wrong AAR for that sort of remark .

Same here. Glad to know I wasn't alone.

Well, it is easy to get confused. I mean, both seek to enlighten other nations to the benefits of their munificent rule.

 

[Dodge]

looks like some sort of machine AI rebellion is imminent

 

[Specialist290]

Suddenly the "Tears of an AI" event sequence from before comes to mind...

 

[Nikolai]

As long as you keep treating them right, no.

Better do that then.

Good thing the elves saw the light. Certain nomadic race from a certain action packed shooter game responded differently, and it didn't end very well for them.

Heh, I don't know which game that is, but I'm glad the Sithrandir chose right.

I was going to respond with "War? What happened to the peaceful peacekeeping force?" but then I remembered this is the wrong AAR for that sort of remark .

Haha, well that's the side effect of me doing two AARs at the same time. The other one might slow down though, I'm about come to where I am ingame, and the combination of little time to play and game being uberslow at this point kinda affects my prospects.

Same here. Glad to know I wasn't alone.

You too.

Well, it is easy to get confused. I mean, both seek to enlighten other nations to the benefits of their munificent rule.

True dat.

looks like some sort of machine AI rebellion is imminent

Suddenly the "Tears of an AI" event sequence from before comes to mind...

Heh. That's one way of seeing it.

 

[Nikolai]

To: Chief Precentor's Office
From: Head Scientist Mahtan Aulendur
Topic: Enigmatic Cache

Dear Madam,
A great opportunity has presented itself! Ther enigmatic cache we encountered a long time ago, has returned, and is hailing us from above our capital! A sentinent AI built by a precursor race is offering us vast improvements for our species! Granted, the AI seems to be a little off, but this is a great opportunity and we should not miss it! Surely even damanged AIs of this level of advancedness will bring us plenty of good fortune! Besides, the gods are with us Sithrandir. It will be grand!

--------------------------

Advisor note: I. I have no words. Aulendur! Are you insane? This is folly even beyond your normal! Madam, please. Don't listen to this madness. Turn the offer down. Please. We WILL regret this.

 

[diskoerekto]

oh the horror!

 

[Specialist290]

I could make yet another post about the downsides of trusting enigmatic entities who don't fully explain their terms, but at this point I know the Sithrandir entirely too well to believe that they'll actually listen. Instead, I think I'll prepare myself a nice big bowl of popcorn, and find a comfy chair from which to watch the fireworks

 

[stnylan]

Well it is all kicking off, isn't it`?

I've still yet to get this event chain in my own games. The cache just moves around.