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...
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.
Shay says:
Yeah, i think so. Part of me wouldn't, but i think it'd maybe be knd of cool. :/
Posted July 03, 2009
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.
Posted March 12, 2009
Jamie6 says:
To be fair my kids have assumed this to be the case for a number of years!
Posted March 06, 2009
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.
Posted February 02, 2009
trapsolutions says:
Yes Please so I can complete the mission with you knowing that I know that you know
Posted January 28, 2009
Andrew says:
Yes, so i can shred your body with my chain saw hands.
Posted January 21, 2009
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.
Posted January 07, 2009
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
Posted December 21, 2008
Amie-C-R-S says:
only if you can do so in a diplomatic way and give undeniable proof!
Posted December 17, 2008
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.
Posted December 13, 2008
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....
Posted December 10, 2008
Tyson says:
Would I have to follow Asimov's three laws of robotics?
Posted November 28, 2008
Girl-Rated says:
never really thought about that before...
NICE QUESTION.
I'm not really sure.
I mean, if I was a robot..... I wouldn't have feelings....
BUTT... I can cope with the truth..
soooo....
Posted October 03, 2008
Prucius says:
Almost everybody on this planet is a partial robot. We are all pre-programmed to respond in certain ways to specific events, which we do with alarming regularity.
Posted September 13, 2008
Thundergas says:
It does not compute! I think we are all robots anyway. I would logically assume I am one also and I'm waiting to see if you are going to be honest with me.
Posted September 10, 2008
cac says:
dit me
Posted August 22, 2008
StuartStirling says:
yep..being a robot would be cool, then you could program me to be better at lots of things like cooking, playing video games, building billion dollar empires and all that cool stuff!
Posted August 18, 2008
No, don't tell me.
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?
Posted June 21, 2009
Jaime says:
I don't even think I would understand the concept of robot if I were a robot. So no.
Posted June 05, 2009
Verdul says:
I like who I am. As long as I am a happy productive robot don't tell me.
Posted March 18, 2009
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.
Posted March 13, 2009
revdan says:
I think I would rather go on blissfully ignorasnt about being a heap of junk.
Posted January 10, 2009
says:
The movie Blade Runner answers that question.
Posted December 25, 2008
says:
How can you validate me without invalidating yourself
Posted December 14, 2008
ChefL96 says:
Hmmm. It depends on what I would be capable of. I mean, do I have good skills? lol
Posted December 08, 2008
nooranwer says:
No.....I am happy what I am....And I know myself better than others :)
Posted November 19, 2008
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 ;)
Posted October 25, 2008
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!
Posted October 17, 2008
MontessoriSecrets says:
I'd say, keep it to yourself. What I don't know won't kill me right?
Posted October 12, 2008
MiaD says:
if you tell me that i am , am i am not, would that still make me a robot...?
Posted September 24, 2008
rawrr! says:
hii =)
Posted August 30, 2008
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.
Posted August 12, 2008
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.
Posted August 07, 2008
shynab56 says:
Please don't mind! I am happy with what I think of myself than any body think of me.
Posted August 01, 2008
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.
Posted August 01, 2008
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
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
8 points
Robotic age poses ethical dilemma
2 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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The Big Bang Theory News
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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?
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Interesting...I'm going to ask this question at dinner tonight!
Brenda
Posted April 18, 2009
kiwisoutback wrote...
Congratulations on LOTD! From a year ago...I'm late. I'm updating a lens of the day table of contents lens and found this through the LOTD blog. Nice work.
Posted March 13, 2009
Blade Runner answers that question!
Posted December 25, 2008
PaulHassing wrote...
Insufficient data. Please extrapolate. Buzz. Click. P. :)
Posted November 24, 2008
emmalarkins wrote...
Great thought-provoking question! Now time for coffee so I can truly process it.
Posted October 17, 2008
MarcoG wrote...
Dammit, I really don't understand the question. If I were a robot, and I knew and you didn't...didn't know what? If I didn't know that I was a robot? Would I want to know? But I would, wouldn't I? I mean, being the robot...my brain hurts :(
Posted October 15, 2008
rms wrote...
Congrats on winning the devilishly delicious debater award. This lens is being featured at the Showcase today. www.giantsquidshowcase.com
Posted October 02, 2008
sarahlovesmickey wrote...
yup, because if I was a robot and you told me, my feelings wouldn't be hurt because I am a robot and robots don't have feelings. =)
Posted September 11, 2008
Tipi wrote...
I have DNA, so I must not be a robot. Do robots have DNA? I'm so confused!
Posted August 08, 2008
witster
So, you a robot poem but no songs. How come you don't have Styx's 'Mr. Roboto' listed?
Posted May 19, 2008
TheRealDiel wrote...
YES, Don't be Robot Tax Slave!
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Peace,
Holli
Posted May 16, 2008
roysumit wrote...
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
gabi_kiana wrote...
Cute lens, the title drew me in immediately!
great idea, keep them coming!
Posted April 26, 2008
Ignoti wrote...
asimo with a realdoll body and a clever ghost in her shell... love.
Posted April 22, 2008
eccles1 wrote...
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
pyle_mountain wrote...
Interesting lens - cool idea. Congrats on the Lens of the Day...
Posted April 12, 2008
filmmakershelp wrote...
Nice lens guys!
grabbed me right of the first glance with the robot question.
Posted April 12, 2008
sforstrom wrote...
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
site-builder wrote...
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.
Just like pushing a button...
I'm a robot -- You're a robot. Everybody is a robot.
Posted April 12, 2008
funwithtrains wrote...
Nice Lens! Congratulations on LOTD! Please visit my Lionel Trains lens.
Posted April 12, 2008
pope wrote...
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
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
Fancy Nancy loves your lens so much that she is sending you virtual Adjectives. To help you feel more human.
Congratulations on Lens of the Day!
Posted April 12, 2008
BigGirlBlue wrote...
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
