Hello!
Hi! What do you think?
Hmm that is a hard question. I would say no. Perhaps we could program them to have some sort of relationship. Not love though. Haha What do you think?
I don't think it's possible because love is too human I guess? Like it isn't something you can really synthesize So computers wouldn't be able to
That's what I think too. Do you ever think artificial intelligence could become advanced enough to form relationships with other intelligences on their own? Not love, but a sort of connection?
Nope, and for the same reason. True, meaningful, emotional connection isn't something that can be programmed or synthesized. It's an ability particular to humans What do you think?
Hmm, I go back and forth. I feel that true connection is uniquely human. I wonder however, if we could program computers with emotion like responses? And other programmed to respond "emotionally" Based on psychology, or data that we are helping with right now even!
True, but it's not "real" even if you can program a computer to respond with the "correct" words to synthesize an emotional response, it lacks meaning and heart because it's just like memorizing the answers to the test rather than understanding the material well enough to extrapolate correct conclusions and make valid connects *connections If that makes sense?
Oh yes, that definitely makes sense. I agree with that fully. Have you ever seen the movie Her or Ex Machina?
No I haven't, do they explore themes like this?
Yes, they do. It's eerie to watch a bit. "Her" especially feels like it could come to be, but of course when you step back none of it could come to be.
Interesting, what are the things they covered that you think are plausible?
It is just interesting when you consider the connectedness to phones we have. How we experience real emotions in relation to our devices: separation anxiety, anger, excitement
That's all true...maybe we've just reprogrammed ourselves? I mean we don't actually care about the phone, we care about the connection it gives us with other people So our emotions in response to that are merely the normal human reactions to normal human desires to be with other people So we just need to reprogram ourselves again?
Yes, I think I agree with that. Or we care about the comfort they bring. I've noticed two emotions with phones. One, being exactly what you said, a desire for connection. The other is the almost mindless quality of them. It's hard, because I am someone who tries to live a conscious life, but still craves the complete thoughtlessness a phone brings sometimes Is that your experience too?
Yeah that sounds pretty accurate...but the "thoughlessness" that a phone brings (that is really nice a lot of times) can be achieved through other means, while connecting with other people is really only able to be done through a phone
Yes, I agree in a way. But I find that I have much more meaningful connections with people in person, and sometimes my phone connections feel a bit more empty. They are definitely real and genuine, but without seeing the face of someone and them being able to pick out my emotions too, it lacks another form of communication.
That's definitely accurate! But it's a good standin - my family lives 2000 miles away and I see them about once a year but the group text we have and the weekly facetime we do are super great for meaningful family connections even though we live far away But I think you're right, it's really just a substitute since I can't see them often. If I did, then it would make phone interactions much less meaningful I think
That's so nice! I know if I used it that way as well, it would definitely feel much more that way. I see my family more often, so it does not stand in at all. I love the idea of a family group chat. I feel it would be a really wonderful way to stay connected. Where does most of your family live?
I guess it depends on how you use it and if you need it then! I had basically no cellular contact with my family when I lived at home so a phone was less meaningful than it is now because it means I can talk to my mom and sisters regularly It's a nice chat! My siblings and parents are all really supportive of each other My family is in Arkansas, it's a really pretty place but pretty far from here! Are your family mostly in this area then?
Oh yes, that sounds lovely. Do you just have sisters? I love that your family is all supportive, that makes me happy to hear. I've never been to the South, but have always wanted to go. Do you have a preference on which you like better? My family is quite small, a grandmother and two sisters. They do live here in Utah, except for an older sister that lives in Seattle! I talk with her often through my phone! I am from Seattle originally!
It's been a lot of work to get it that way - I left the house just after I turned 18 on pretty bad terms with my parents, and over the past 3 years we've all worked at fixing the poor relationship we had when I left. I don't have all sisters but I have 3 sisters then 5 brothers so I'm closest to my sisters since they're closest to my age and most of my brothers are still pretty young and don't even have phones yet The south is gorgeous, the greenery is amazing! It's like nothing you've ever seen. But you do run into much more small-mindedness in the south, it's about 30 years behind Oh fun, that's nice that you have some family close by! Are you and your family close? And how did you end up here in Utah?
I think that's really great. I am sorry things were hard for a time, but I enjoy hearing that you guys were able to mend and heal. I think that says a lot about yourself and your family. Wow! You have a big family! I'm glad you are close to your sisters. I'm a big fan of mine too. The greenery is what I love about the South (well, the pictures of the South). I dream of trees covered in Spanish moss especially. The small-mindedness is something that I have heard about the South too. Do you have any guesses on why they are behind? Yes, we are quite close! When I was young, my mother was a single parent up in Seattle, she wanted to move to Utah so we could be closer to family! It was a good thing for her, and for us. Though I miss the trees and the beach terribly.
Oh it's all good! I'm the first so it was new for everyone. It's all gotten a lot better since! And yeah it always keeps things interesting, sisters are fun to talk with, I wish I was a little closer with my brothers but I think I will be as they get older Yeah I can't even describe how amazing the greenery is! We live in a forest and in the late spring/early summer there's so much greenery it's overwhelming. You should go! Oh I totally know why the small-mindedness thing is around...it's because of how isolated everyone is. My town is pretty small and the nearest sizeable town is Memphis which is an hour and a half away. Everyone else is scattered around the state in small town isolated from everything So there's not a lot of variety or new experiences or new people so there just isn't a chance for people to gain new experiences and insights about the world. Also, people in the south don't like to leave, so it's just perpetual generations of people who are ingrained in their ways and haven't experienced anything besides the isolation and homogony (I was born and raised in Colorado, we moved to Arkansas when I was 14!) Awesome, and which do you prefer then?
I think you will be closer to them when they get older for sure. That tends to happen. Oh that sounds so lovely. Truly. Wow, I guess I never considered that. The isolation of it all. That would definitely affect conversation and experiences. Of course, there are benefits to a small community. I often wonder which I would prefer, as I have always lived in fairly big communities. Oh Colorado! I haven't been there either, but I hear it is beautiful as well. I like both places for different reasons. Washington's scenery is just lovely. Green everywhere. Really clean air. I grew up exploring tide pools at the beach and it felt magical. I like Utah because of the sunsets, and there is a comfort in having people who share a part of my identity. I worry I am not experiencing enough perspective sometimes though.
I would say that the few benefits of living in a small community are much outweighed by the major benefits of living in a large community
I am so sorry, I have to get off the chat now, but I so enjoyed our conversation! It's hard to find people on here sometimes, so thanks for logging on.
Absolutely! Thank you for your comments!