Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT Strips 3176 to 3180 (14 - 18 March 2016)
Neko_Ali:
Actually it would be far more alarming if the courts could issue punishments that involved reprogramming a sentient being's personality. That's some serious distopian level stuff there. "Well, you embezzled some money, so we are going to install a lock out to prevent you from ever thinking about doing that again. You're free to go." I'd find that far more terrifying than going to jail, having parts of my mind and personality forcibly re-written to comply. It certainly tosses free will for AIs right out the window.
Even more terrifying... What if they also patched them to not be aware they've been re-programmed. Or to force them to be happy about it. At what point once you've started reprogramming someone should you stop? Heck, why not just make it part of the standard code every AI has installed, not unlike the Three Laws? That would remove the need for a robot criminal system at all, if they were designed from the start to obey. Free will is over rated, right?
chaospersonified:
My question is why the hell would a sentient being not WANT that kind of help, especially when it's as simple as a software patch that could be programmed to a specific level of efficiency. I've got ADHD and bipolar type 2, and if it were as simple as installing a patch to my brain that would do even half the effectivity of medication, you bet your ass I would accept that.
I agree it'd be fucked if the government was forcing it, but why wouldn't they just accept it?
Tova:
You might want to ask one of the not-insignificant number of people who refuse medication.
TheEvilDog:
--- Quote from: sitnspin on 14 Mar 2016, 13:07 ---One could argue a unwanted software patch of that variety would be tantamount to mind control slash brainwashing. That's a serious violation of a sapient being's rights, far more do than incarceration.
--- End quote ---
The whole idea reminds me of the approach they took in the 1940s and 50s with lobotomy - found a moral deviant who doesn't fit into the societal norm? Lobotomy.
Just the idea of enforcing a change of personality on what is a sentient entity through a patch sounds absolutely vile.
DSL:
Chaospersonified's last sentence is key: Many folks would welcome a "patch" that would relieve them of a mental condition and it's be great if that was available. But some folks would not want that, for reasons that are varied and understandable. Forcing it as an across-the-board remedy, ESPECIALLY in cases where there is no harm done and maybe even some.benefit (exceptional artistic ability or other savantry, for just a couple of examples) is the unacceptable part. (Plrase note I will refuse to take seriously any responses along the lines of "so what you're really saying is ...")
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