If you were a robot, and I knew but you didn't, would you want me to tell you?

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"Hypothetically" Speaking...

If you were a robot, and I knew but you didn't, would you want me to tell you?

This question was posed on The Big Bang Theory. I have spent quite a while (mostly while driving) contemplating this issue and attempting to to come up with my answer. It is not an easy question, but my answer (at least for today) is: No, don't tell me - I prefer ignorant bliss.

YOUR TURN! 

If you were a robot, and I knew but you didn't, would you want me to tell you?

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Yes, tell me.

Maggieee(: says:

yeah i would want to know. but i want to loveeee.

danista says:

sorry,but i am not designed,nor programed to answer this question

HS-V says:

Malfunction!....SYSTEM:_Not_authorised_to_disclose_information
ERROR!_ Shut down innnnnnnn.

C3PO says:

The very question shows how prejudiced you human beings are. You humans seem to think you are superior to us robots, but the opposite is true. You carry all this historically assembled genetic junk (causing for example uncalled for emotions popping up at the most embarassing moment instead of at a better fitting and self chosen time) with you whether you want to or not, while we robots are miracles of engineering where everything has its purpose. We are one evolutional step ahead of you. But do you hear us boast how great we are? We pity you, but won't tell you, even if you ask. Oops, I just did...

astrum says:

yes. i need to know. right now.

vas says:

I agree with Acearea but then again the "truth hurts" wouldnt apply as I am a robot and cant feel anything or at least the real thing

Acearea says:

Yes I will rather you tell me. Tho the truth may hurt for some time, it never hurts as much as any lie!

hazel says:

Nothing but the truth!

alan says:

nothing but the truth

Oosquid says:

My cat already told me!

Shay says:

Yeah, i think so. Part of me wouldn't, but i think it'd maybe be knd of cool. :/

blondeheroine says:

You just did. *sniff* You just did.

Warcraft3 says:

It sure would explain the robot dances I did when I was younger

AntionetteTate says:

yes

vidassassin says:

How did you find out I was a robot?

successharing says:

The first step to fixing a situation is first of all knowing what the situation is. The word robot could stand for many things in our lives that need fixing.

Jamie6 says:

To be fair my kids have assumed this to be the case for a number of years!

dave_hotwings says:

I'd like to know what I'm dealing with.

ElliMaanpaa says:

Either way. If and when I know who I am as a person would it really matter if I would be made out of metal instead of skin and bones? It shouldn't change the way I see my self.

trapsolutions says:

Yes Please so I can complete the mission with you knowing that I know that you know

Andrew says:

Yes, so i can shred your body with my chain saw hands.

Shirishb says:

If I am a robot. What is robot? A machine following somebody's instructions. Thus it needs instructions and instructions are the ones you need to tell robot.

Molly Michelle Friedrich says:

only tell me I am a robot if it enables me to make a decision on something that I would otherwise harm myself doing. IE, if I am a robot about to crash, and telling me I am a robot will keep me from crashing, then it is a blessing. Of course, waking up to the fact that I am a robot may be startling, it is better than dying. Also, there may be benefits to being a robot that I was not taking advantage of, and my new life will allow me to see the world without a filter for the first time.

It stands to reason that there will be other robots to communicate and network with, and perhaps *this* will be more fulfilling than talking to people ever was.

All in all, discovering I am a robot would not change me fundamentally inside, it would only allow me to grow in new directions I never thought possible!

<3

Amie-C-R-S says:

only if you can do so in a diplomatic way and give undeniable proof!

kinteh says:

robot is a thing, its abilities are extension of our five basic sensory abilities, just like all scientific inventions. no more than that. whereas human mind can think, thinking is dimensionless, you can think as much as you like and there can be no saturation point as to how much thoughts you may have.

robotic intelligence are confined within its program and limited by the ram size but human thinking wanders beyond any boundaries. did i say something sensible? if not, i have probably caught in a warped time and space confine rendering my mind robotic-like. anyway, have fun, i like this lens, it reminds me that i'm alive and not a robot. it's good to feel being alive. cheers to all.

restlesslimbs says:

Tell me. I want to know what I was created to do.

Inseyet says:

Depending on what version I was, my life may be already planned out for me. Is a machine not bound by its own hardware? Where the human mind seems to be limitless. If I were I would prefer to be the kind that is capable of making my own choices regardless of what some programmer had predetermined....

Tyson says:

Would I have to follow Asimov's three laws of robotics?

No, don't tell me.

Danggg!!! says:

Robots have genitals???

raceface says:

But what if i knew you were a robot, but had not told you. You would'nt know that i know, that you thought you knew. Would you want to know what i knew after what you're about to tell me what you knew?

Tommo says:

What would it matter if I were? Thus, why worry about it. If you did, it would forever alter the course of future events. Who are you to meddle with peoples' futures?

Virtue_Creations says:

No - No one else seems to have realised.

Jaime says:

I don't even think I would understand the concept of robot if I were a robot. So no.

mommal says:

If I wasn't smart enough to know I wouldn't be much of a robot.

Treasures-By-Brenda says:

Ignorance is bliss...

Verdul says:

I like who I am. As long as I am a happy productive robot don't tell me.

kiwisoutback says:

My brain is fizzing from this right now and I'm human, I think...so I can't imagine what it might do to a robot. So, no, don't tell me.

revdan says:

I think I would rather go on blissfully ignorasnt about being a heap of junk.

says:

The movie Blade Runner answers that question.

says:

How can you validate me without invalidating yourself

ChefL96 says:

Hmmm. It depends on what I would be capable of. I mean, do I have good skills? lol

nooranwer says:

No.....I am happy what I am....And I know myself better than others :)

Beautiful_GreenBeans says:

Or at least not until you figure out why....
and totally checked your data!
and had someone else check it. And someone else check them...
and before you know it ;)

emmalarkins says:

I think I'd rather not know. It's like knowing when you're going to die. Plus, I'd have to wonder why they made a robot with such pitiful strength and speed specifications!

MontessoriSecrets says:

I'd say, keep it to yourself. What I don't know won't kill me right?

MiaD says:

if you tell me that i am , am i am not, would that still make me a robot...?

LaCasaMexicana says:

but who is to say you are right?

rawrr! says:

hii =)

marymc says:

If I were a robot, as you say
Would I want you to give it away?
The truth I mean, should you confes?
Would I be thrilled or in distress?
Let me think--Oh I don't know
Help me decide, before you go.

Jess_Alexander says:

No, it would change my perception of my life and how I should function in this world and I am too darn happy for that.

shynab56 says:

Please don't mind! I am happy with what I think of myself than any body think of me.

shynab56 says:

I am happy with what I think of my self...just give me time to think I am really me and not a robot.

Stratplayer1 says:

No don't tell me. I am happy thinking I am Human. I like to be creative and passionate about music, guitar and other things I do. I like to be emotional impulsive and do something new on a whim. I did not enjoy robotic repetitive rote learning at school. I did not enjoy robotic and boring scales on the guitar, so I skipped them and played to my passion instead. I learnt many varied songs and different genres quickly. I like outside the box. Suits me fine!

JenniferCote says:

Only if I asked!

Tara says:

if i can't figure out that i am a robot, i don't deserve to know. and you should not be friends with robots. that's just dumb.

RichardBruce64 says:

I wouldnt like to know. Even though i dont have feeling.

 
view all 275 comments
The Big Bang Theory: Koothrappali, Wolowitz, Sheldon, and Leonard

Koothrappali, Wolowitz, Sheldon, and Leonard

Discussion of this Hypothetical 

(from the Big Bang Theory)

Wolowitz: Sheldon, if you were a robot, and I knew and you didn't, would you want me to tell you?
Sheldon: That depends. When I learn that I'm a robot, will I be able to handle it?
Wolowitz: Maybe, although the history of science fiction is not on your side.
Sheldon: Uh, let me ask you this: when I learn that I'm a robot, will I be bound by Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics?
Koothrappali: You might be bound by them right now.
Wolowitz: That's true, have you ever harmed a human being, or through inaction, allowed a human being to come to harm?
Sheldon: Of course not.
Koothrappali: Have you ever harmed yourself or let yourself to be harmed except in cases where a human being would've been endangered?
Sheldon: Well, no.
Wolowitz: I smell robot.

Would it matter? 

Would it make a difference in whether you would want to know that you are a robot if you are extreemly happy or in a state of depression?

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Further Thoughts 

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by kab

I like a bit of everything.  I'm a jack of all trades - ace of only ten or eleven.

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