- Sep 22, 2013
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Scientists and philosophers (and artists too) studying the human brain/mind are interested in three topics:
1. aliens
2. robots
3. monsters
Are there alien intelligences whose brains are wired differently? Can computer-scientists create 'synthetic minds' with algorithms and silicon processors? Are there minds that think differently or even strangely?
Understanding the human mind requires a study of not only psychology but also sociology. Sociologists offer us a way to dissect the macro-processes that govern civilization decision-making. When societies cast social contracts, politics becomes wed to etiquette (and hence normative behaviors).
To understand the mental processes that give rise to cultural understandings (e.g., racial hatred), we can evaluate why humanity is so fascinated by 'intelligence coordination,' which is why I will focus on the subject of robots under this topic.
Various science-fiction stories about robotic beings and robotic species (e.g., Robotech) present images/ideas of well-coordinated 'intelligent machines' which have the power of self-evaluation and organized ambition. These stories (and movies too) present themes about behavior coordination and social expectations. Why would we say a robot is more 'dependable' than a human being?
Robots therefore help us analyze the parameters of sociological hypotheses.
Would an intelligent robot (befriended to humanity) celebrate Christmas or Easter in a way similar to humans, or would they fashion a new ritual-festival in honor of a genesis-benefactor of a different nature (e.g., Frankenstein)?
My theory is that an intelligent robotic species (perhaps created consciously by human computer-scientists) would not only be fascinated by genesis-themed stories such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but they would also extrapolate the self-image/identity transformation themes in such stories to appreciate the masquerading-imagination festival of Halloween.
Therefore, Halloween would serve as a psycho-sociological bridge between human minds and robot minds!
Since a human might dress up as a robot for Halloween, perhaps a robot would dress up as a human for Halloween.
The idea of experimenting with one's self-appearance or presentation of identity (e.g., Halloween masks, Internet chat-room aliases/avatars, etc.) invokes considerations about the 'desirability' of transformation.
We can use stories about robots then to evaluate the contours of personality transformation. Such evaluations can inform our understanding of psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and sociological disorders such as Nazism.
Robotech is one of my personal favorite sci-fi robotics-storytelling series/franchises, since it nicely explores the imaginative interplay between large-scale governance contracts and weapons-based machine-engaged wrath.
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SENATOR: We must colonize this new planet inhabited by robots.
ENGINEER: These robots are not so different from the robots on Earth!
SENATOR: Yes, but these robots wield more intriguing weapons and tools.
ENGINEER: How do you know we will benefit from their science?
SENATOR: We will take what we please.
ENGINEER: If our colonization efforts are met with rebellion, we must be prepared.
SENATOR: Our weapons are sufficiently destructive!
ENGINEER: We should consider the notion that we need not colonize.
SENATOR: There is little room for empathy.
ENGINEER: We are pursuing a 'dissatisfaction philosophy.'
====
Robotech II: The Sentinels (Wikipedia Entry)
1. aliens
2. robots
3. monsters
Are there alien intelligences whose brains are wired differently? Can computer-scientists create 'synthetic minds' with algorithms and silicon processors? Are there minds that think differently or even strangely?
Understanding the human mind requires a study of not only psychology but also sociology. Sociologists offer us a way to dissect the macro-processes that govern civilization decision-making. When societies cast social contracts, politics becomes wed to etiquette (and hence normative behaviors).
To understand the mental processes that give rise to cultural understandings (e.g., racial hatred), we can evaluate why humanity is so fascinated by 'intelligence coordination,' which is why I will focus on the subject of robots under this topic.
Various science-fiction stories about robotic beings and robotic species (e.g., Robotech) present images/ideas of well-coordinated 'intelligent machines' which have the power of self-evaluation and organized ambition. These stories (and movies too) present themes about behavior coordination and social expectations. Why would we say a robot is more 'dependable' than a human being?
Robots therefore help us analyze the parameters of sociological hypotheses.
Would an intelligent robot (befriended to humanity) celebrate Christmas or Easter in a way similar to humans, or would they fashion a new ritual-festival in honor of a genesis-benefactor of a different nature (e.g., Frankenstein)?
My theory is that an intelligent robotic species (perhaps created consciously by human computer-scientists) would not only be fascinated by genesis-themed stories such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but they would also extrapolate the self-image/identity transformation themes in such stories to appreciate the masquerading-imagination festival of Halloween.
Therefore, Halloween would serve as a psycho-sociological bridge between human minds and robot minds!
Since a human might dress up as a robot for Halloween, perhaps a robot would dress up as a human for Halloween.
The idea of experimenting with one's self-appearance or presentation of identity (e.g., Halloween masks, Internet chat-room aliases/avatars, etc.) invokes considerations about the 'desirability' of transformation.
We can use stories about robots then to evaluate the contours of personality transformation. Such evaluations can inform our understanding of psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and sociological disorders such as Nazism.
Robotech is one of my personal favorite sci-fi robotics-storytelling series/franchises, since it nicely explores the imaginative interplay between large-scale governance contracts and weapons-based machine-engaged wrath.
====
SENATOR: We must colonize this new planet inhabited by robots.
ENGINEER: These robots are not so different from the robots on Earth!
SENATOR: Yes, but these robots wield more intriguing weapons and tools.
ENGINEER: How do you know we will benefit from their science?
SENATOR: We will take what we please.
ENGINEER: If our colonization efforts are met with rebellion, we must be prepared.
SENATOR: Our weapons are sufficiently destructive!
ENGINEER: We should consider the notion that we need not colonize.
SENATOR: There is little room for empathy.
ENGINEER: We are pursuing a 'dissatisfaction philosophy.'
====
Robotech II: The Sentinels (Wikipedia Entry)