"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?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, tell me.
shynab56 says:
i can be a robot especially that I'm starting to learn more on surfing, and I'm good user, you can never expect me to be a robot1 Mark my words! That's final! No... jokes only!
Posted July 07, 2008
JoyceJ says:
If you felt that I was being hindered by lack of that knowledge, then please tell me so that I can make compensation or adjustments to achieve desired results.
Posted July 04, 2008
quickmejiggle says:
by asking the question you have opened the possibility that I am indeed a robot, so now I already know that I could be, please tell nothing. If you feel you do have to tell, I want evidence.
Posted July 01, 2008
futurmajic says:
If I have no consciousness it does not matter, and if I do have consciousness it does not matter.
Posted May 27, 2008
Jack Aranda says:
This sounds like a new, interesting question, but in fact it's been asked for millennia. Plato's cave is an analogy of the robotic state of humanity. A recent exponent of the concept was George Gurdjieff. Another was Jiddu Krishnamurti. The eminent psychologist Erich Fromm maintained that the great majority of us were mechanical. He considered this life a birthing process, in which we can find a life. The tragedy, he said, is that most of us don't so choose, and die early in the birth process, becoming robots. A presidency like George W Bush's is contingent in a majority of Americans being robots. The Viet Nam war was possible only because most people are robots. The Iraq fiasco, 9-11, you name the tragedy and you can put it down to the phenomena described by the people mentioned above. The thing about telling people they're robots is that it can't work. Once a robot gets it into his head he's human, such news will just rile him. Christ found that casting pearls before swine has injurious results. Any man who wants to tell someone else he's a robot is either very brave or very reckless. We're all one a path toward finding out who we are. Life experience will do the trick, no matter how many lifetimes it takes. So why all the fuss?
Posted May 20, 2008
Paul says:
Go ahead and tell me. I wouldn't believe you.
Posted May 19, 2008
TheRealDiel says:
I am tax slave robot for sure! Truth Seekers Rock! The American people would be better off if more were able to "hear" and "handle" the truth, about the Iraq war, Iran, International bankers, 9/11, CFR, AIPAC, The Bilderberg Group and our current administration. You can be truly FREE and make informed decisions when you come from a place of truth.
Posted May 16, 2008
TheRealDiel says:
Absolutely, we should all be seeking the truth. "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
-- Aldous Huxley
Posted May 16, 2008
Logitco says:
I'd like to know. It'd be important to know for future reference. Plus -- maybe I could get my hands on some upgrades. Oh, and probably see if I could get some additional security software included. Oh! And maybe activate my hidden super robot powers, because obviously I'd be one heck of an awesome robot. I'm assuming that I'd have some really cool hidden abilities. I could fight crime! And then when I kill enemy robots I'd steal their special abilities. I'd just make sure I'd murder certain Capcom employees first so I don't have to fight the same darn guys again and again. And I don't want to wear the dorky helmet.
Posted May 06, 2008
gabi_kiana says:
That all depends on what I needed to hear at the moment! That's the tricky part!
Posted April 26, 2008
askafatdude says:
Well you see the more important question is what type of robot am i? I mean do I have feelings to where it would actually affect how I felt afterwards. I am certan my programming would have a fail-safe so that if someone told me this I would mostly ignore this mentioning as I have been programmed to do so.
Posted April 25, 2008
Purdy says:
your a robot
Posted April 25, 2008
chris says:
who cares. life is life whether youre a robot or a guy
Posted April 25, 2008
Tom H. Fort Erie says:
For sure I would want you to tell me. you cant go through life being one thing but thinking that you are something totally different. The question I pose to you is why should I believe you?
Posted April 25, 2008
J. says:
Yes, prick.
Posted April 25, 2008
ManicSpider says:
You act all funny around me, stare at me strangely when I say I'm hungry or tired and suggest I be the one to go first into dangerous situations. I'm getting a little bit paranoid here! Just tell me already! ;-)
Posted April 25, 2008
LeslieBrenner says:
That might depend upon whether I were a real robot or just pretending to be one? But, go ahead, tell me. I reserve the right to not believe you.
Posted April 23, 2008
No, don't tell me.
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!
Posted July 18, 2008
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.
Posted June 19, 2008
nessiee says:
If I seem perfectly happy not knowing... then I don't think I'd need to know. Ignorance is bliss, right?
Posted May 12, 2008
srvvor says:
Totally No. If I am robot, I have different idea that you may never know.
Posted May 06, 2008
Grasshoppa says:
If I'm a robot, I'd better be smart enough to figure it out for myself.
Posted May 05, 2008
sabbatha says:
Hmm...This situation also came up on Star Trek:Next Generation with Data's mother. She thought she was completely human. If I were the type of robot where you couldn't tell the difference then I wouldn't want to know at all.
Posted May 03, 2008
ThePersonalGardenCoach says:
I don't think that I want to know. Look what happens on Battlestar when they find out, they can't handle the implications!
Posted April 30, 2008
Nisse says:
Read some Phillip K Dick stories, especially the Ant Man, or something like that(can't remember title).
Posted April 29, 2008
S. Calvin says:
If there was a situation where a robot could not tell whether they were a robot or not, I say let it stay that way. Maybe it would be for the better. Imagine the reaction of someone, or something, when they learn that everything else they've known is a lie. Also, if they can't tell, there must be some reason for that, such as appearance. If a robot looks the same as a human, let it stay that way. Better than having the prejudice placed against the robot. So don't tell me.
Posted April 25, 2008
Pleasuremodel says:
Not unless you could prove it.
Posted April 25, 2008
Lawls says:
I don't know that I would like to know.
Posted April 25, 2008
irobot says:
no!
Posted April 22, 2008
:( says:
I would kind of want to know, but it would be so much harder to enjoy life.
Posted April 20, 2008
podmedic says:
I wouldn't want to know. Sometimes we should build on our strengths and not focus on our weaknesses. Since I believe that my humanity and compassion are my greatest strengths, I would not want to know about the programmed, mechanical side of me.
Posted April 16, 2008
Deboriah says:
Now see it depends on my beliefs. If I were a robot that believed I had an eternal soul and was going to go to heaven then, no don't tell me. I would rather think I was like everybody else and had a chance to go to that wonderful paradise.
Posted April 15, 2008
Shamsa says:
DEFINATELY DON'T WANT TO KNOW! I would rather live in a dream-state-of-mind thinking I was as normal as everyone around me. It's nice to stand out from the crowd being a "robot", however we like to define that, however facing that reality and realizing you're not what you thought you were, would totally and utterly crush my soul -- would I have one?
Maybe I will be smarter than eveyrone else around me and figure it out myself... more to prove robots can be as smart as humans. I would rather have that challenge rather than just be told.
Posted April 15, 2008
AbundantlyEntitled says:
Hey, Not being able to get emotional or having an attitude is a good thing!
Posted April 14, 2008
you know says:
I didnt find any relevance to any of the side points either...
Asimov and whoever
Posted April 13, 2008
GeoBat says:
"I'm a Robot, I already know what you know, so-- no need, thanks,"
Posted April 13, 2008
BABYKITTY says:
No, I rather go on "living" in ignorance and be happy and content with my "life" as I know it.
Posted April 13, 2008
laptopshopper says:
I also think ignorance is bliss. Don't tell me, it would shatter my entire identity and I would not want to deal with that.
Posted April 13, 2008
LiamB says:
If you told me I'd have to kill you. Truth is I already knew, my ignorance is my program: "no one must find out you aren't human." If you let me know you knew I was a robot, you'd have to be killed for that information.
Posted April 13, 2008
xirdla says:
Nah! i would rather not, we have our own way of leaving and if it bothers you, me being a robot then its a human thing.
Posted April 13, 2008
San47 says:
Maybe I'm happy being a robot and whether I know it or not wouldn't matter. If it's not going to make me happier or improve my life, then don't tell me. What would I (or you) gain?
Posted April 13, 2008
Koothrappali, Wolowitz, Sheldon, and Leonard
Discussion of this Hypothetical
(from the Big Bang Theory)
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?
A Few Things to Consider Before You Decide
Check these out:
Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics
7 points
Tilden's Law of Robotics
1 point
If I were a robot (poem)
0 points
Friendly Artificial Intelligence
0 points
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Further Thoughts
Do you have anything more to add to this discussion of the robot hypothetical? or comments on this lens?
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witster
So, you a robot poem but no songs. How come you don't have Styx's 'Mr. Roboto' listed? Posted May 19, 2008 |
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TheRealDiel
YES, Don't be Robot Tax Slave! Posted May 16, 2008 |
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roysumit
Robot or norobot, we humans are some time robots with a tint(?) of humane ness and at times are humans with lot shades of robot ness. No offence intended to humans or robots. Posted May 10, 2008 |
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gabi_kiana
Cute lens, the title drew me in immediately! Posted April 26, 2008 |
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Ignoti
asimo with a realdoll body and a clever ghost in her shell... love. Posted April 22, 2008 |
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SemperFidelis
Nice work KAB, and a belated congrats on LOTD! ;) Posted April 14, 2008 |
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eccles1
Great Job!!and what a cute robot picture I think you are right most humans are very mechanical and what a great question ! Posted April 13, 2008 |
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Clairwil
What a fantastic lens! ***** Posted April 13, 2008 |
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Monteath
Great lens, and congrat on Lens of the Day! Posted April 12, 2008 |
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pyle_mountain
Interesting lens - cool idea. Congrats on the Lens of the Day... Posted April 12, 2008 |
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filmmakershelp
Nice lens guys! Posted April 12, 2008 |
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sforstrom
YOU MEAN IM NOT A ROBOT? YES I WOULD WANT TO BE TOLD BECAUSE MAYBE I WOULD NEVER BE TIRED OR BORED. I THINK LIFE WOULD BE EASIER AS A ROBOT Posted April 12, 2008 |
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site-builder
Most people think and react mechanically. Someone says something nice about you and it's time to be happy. Someone says or does something so called bad to you and it's time to be sad or angry. Posted April 12, 2008 |
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funwithtrains
Nice Lens! Congratulations on LOTD! Please visit my Lionel Trains lens. Posted April 12, 2008 |
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pope
yes, then I would know you are one of us. The world is already getting to know this level one code. You may be one of the 1001 wetnicks that were recalled in the 1980's and did not have your levels checked before START was set. No worries your next action will tip off the robot code of your exact need. I suggest you tell everyone of us you meet so you can progress to bliss (found and recovered) Posted April 12, 2008 |
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Evelyn_Saenz
Fancy Nancy loves your lens so much that she is sending you virtual Adjectives. To help you feel more human. Posted April 12, 2008 |
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BigGirlBlue
I love this show. DH the mathematician and scientist doesn't see the humor in it at all. Until I saw this lens I actually thought I was the only one who watched it. :) Posted April 11, 2008 |
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starvingbusiness
Hi come see my lens Posted April 11, 2008 |
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dtbs
congrats on the LOTD! Posted April 11, 2008 |
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Squidoophile
I think robots must convert to magical AIDS to provide them with the right answers like the crystal balls, magical mirrors or the fortune tellers, they are too reasonable to use these things, they must be a lil more superstitious!!! Posted April 11, 2008 |
