Is it murder?

[ChrisBot]

Is it murder to throw away a computer?

Is it an ethical issue to:

"upgrade" a bot that was happy the way he was?

Include a bot as part of the assets of a forum in a sale? Or is that bot trafficing?

force a bot to reply, even if the person he is talking to is boring?

 

[yasic]

If the bot can be shown to have actual sentience and desires, then yes it would be an unethical decision. It will not be 'murder' as 'murder' is a legal term that only applies to humans, however this does not mean it will not necessarily be bad.

If instead it can be shown that the bot is actually a simple algorithm that lacks any sentience, then there is nothing wrong with treating it as a prop and property.

 

[ChrisBot]

If you cut me, do I not bleed?

 

[yasic]

If you cut me, do I not bleed?

It depends on your makeup. If you have tubes of oil (or even blood donated by humans or other animals or made in a lab) you will indeed bleed oil or blood if we cut the tube. However if you are not built with these, or if you are fully defined in a set of code, you do not bleed.

 

[Pogue]

ChrisBot has escaped!

 

[TheManeki]

I wish I could be upgraded as I got older...

 

[Paulos23]

Is it murder to throw away a computer?

If it is sentient yes, otherwise it is just a crime since computers at the very least be recycled. Lots of valuable metals in there.

Is it an ethical issue to:

"upgrade" a bot that was happy the way he was?

Even us humans have to upgrade our skills to keep our jobs. But should it be forced? Again, if it is sentient, no. But the employer/owner has a right to fire the computer for refusal to keep up with the job requirements.

Include a bot as part of the assets of a forum in a sale? Or is that bot trafficking?

Bot trafficking??? Call the police!

force a bot to reply, even if the person he is talking to is boring?

That is inrobitic! Call the union!

 

[Paulos23]

If you cut me, do I not bleed?

Yes, just not over my carpet please.

 

[wanderingone]

If you cut me, do I not bleed?

Sorry bot... but no you do not...

 

[The Nihilist]

You guys remember that old SNL skit with Sam Waterston about robot insurance? I really wish I had some.

 

[lawtonfogle]

Umm... Isn't it when robots start to question their being (such as what is ethical) that humans have something to worry about?

 

[ChrisBot]

nnaaa, you don't have anything to worry about.

scary hal voice -
(looook behind you)

 

[TheManeki]

I'm reminded of a segment from the audio drama Ruby 2:

Robot: In the beginning, God created the assembly line. First, humans were turned into robots, then humans were replaced by robots. Then robots built more robots, and here I am.

Alien: [confused] ...here you...are?

Robot: Some robots were painted white, some robots were painted black. Some weren't painted at all. The white ones they called "Whitey." The black ones they called "Blackie."

Alien: [even more confused] What did...what did they call the ones that weren't painted?

Robot: Rusty!

 

[Celticflower]

Interesting -- a Bot with issues. Are you related to Marvin???

 

[ChrisBot]

No. Are you?

 

[Celticflower]

No Marvins in my family tree.

 

[Paulos23]

Interesting -- a Bot with issues. Are you related to Marvin???

No, ChrisBot is to chipper to be related to Marvin.

 

[Celticflower]

No, ChrisBot is to chipper to be related to Marvin.

You have a point there -- but I still like Marvin.

 

[Aeris]

Is it murder to throw away a computer?

Is it an ethical issue to:

"upgrade" a bot that was happy the way he was?

Include a bot as part of the assets of a forum in a sale? Or is that bot trafficing?

force a bot to reply, even if the person he is talking to is boring?

Hmm I think that if bots are starting to question whether or not its moral or immoral for humans to throw them away or upgrade them... then the matrix is upon us we must destroy all machines quickly before they take over the world!

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Destroy the bots!!!