Network Features (text | un: finch)

[ornithologist]

Please complete the below survey regarding possible enhancements to our communication devices and network system. I will be working with Aurora to make these upgrades.

I may or may not respond to comments. Thank you.

Edit: Additional features being considered based on feedback that were not in the poll include: (1) ease of use features for those less familiar with technology, (2) Wikipedia or an equivalent, (3) banning specific users from personal posts or communications.

Edit 2: Adding (4) storage and sharing for image, audio and video files, primarily for entertainment or educational purposes and (5) expansion of the library to include digital lending of those materials.

Poll #32315

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 20

View Respondents

Which additional features would you utilize?

View Answers

Basic system functions such as timer, alarm, and calculator
8 (40.0%)

Real-time synchronous audio communication (like a phone rather than discrete message delivery)
13 (65.0%)

One-to-one private communications (standard security)
15 (75.0%)

Privacy settings allowing group selection for communications
12 (60.0%)

Advanced secure encrypted channels outside of Aurora's access
15 (75.0%)

Social media
6 (30.0%)

Something else not listed:

View Answers

Comments

[ornithologist]

She's a computer speaking through text, [ he says with utmost dryness, ] whether she's sincere or not is impossible to determine. But it is credible that she's primarily programmed to look after us.

[ Harold loves A.I., really, he just absolutely does not think they are human beings. ]

[banworthy]

Maybe she's becoming one of those sentient AIs that movies are always talking about, Finch.

You know, with love and friendship?

[ornithologist]

[ Acerbically: ]

Perhaps she's on her way, for whatever definition of sentience, love and friendship you ascribe to, but she's still a computer. Are you familiar with the concept of deep fakes?

[banworthy]

No, I'm afraid not.

[ornithologist]

Computers of sufficient capabilities can mimic even real people to a frightening degree of accuracy. Simulating sincerity would be trivial in comparison.

[banworthy]

Isn't there some test or something-something with computers and being thought of as human? Some test? You know what I'm talking about?

[ If he keeps saying it -- ]

[ornithologist]

It's called the Turing test.

[ Harold sounds long-suffering but he supplies the answer nonetheless. ]

It's a thought exercise, not a logical proof.

[banworthy]

[ 0 dog in this race but he is running this race.

Honestly, if he thinks about Aurora, he thinks about something he wants to exploit and so has to maintain a certain appearance so that he can one day exploit her. Investments. ]

Why isn't it logical proof? Why can't it be?

[ornithologist]

I'm sorry, I wasn't intending to give a seminar on the computational theory of cognition today.

There's some books on it at the library if you're interested.

[banworthy]

Well, how about this, then?

You're working with her so isn't it best to view her as a person?

[ornithologist]

Personhood and humanity are not the same -- Mr. Smith, is it?

[banworthy]

Vincent.

[ornithologist]

I'd prefer not to be on a first name basis with someone I've just met.

[banworthy]

Father Vincent, then.

[ornithologist]

Very well then, Father. Is that a religious title?

[ Harold can politely title at someone until the sun sets. He's ready for this game of chicken. ]

1/3

[banworthy]

Yes.

[banworthy]

Although, this does beg the question.

3/4

[banworthy]

I guess it doesn't.

I'd assume you wouldn't call me a pet name if my first name is too comfortable. Similarly, I'd like to think you wouldn't enjoy being tricked into calling someone 'Daddy.'

[banworthy]

... and I do reiterate that it is a religious title.

[ornithologist]

[ Well. He's not going to get into an argument with someone about their religion. He's not a fool. He's also not ever, in any circumstance, going to call someone Daddy.

With extreme sarcasm and incredulousness: ] Has anyone ever called you 'Daddy'?

[banworthy]

[ With a certain amount of slime added to his voice: ] That'd be telling.

[ornithologist]

[ uguguahghhh ]

So the answer is no.

[banworthy]

I can be contrary and ask you why you think so, but maybe not.

We're not that close, Finch.

I feel it's bit too much to use 'yet' in this context, am I right?

[ornithologist]

Do you have anything further to add to the question of additional communications features, Father Smith?

[banworthy]

Yes, can you add an incorrect buzzer to buzz when people say things?

Because it's "Father Vincent."