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talkpoliticsHey, my beloved procrastinators! It's time for our new installment of ridiculously over-simplified and unbearably polarized hypothetical situations, inspired by the NationStates online game - you know, that place where you're the benevolent ruler of your own fictional state, which you're completely free to shape as you please, based on the extreme choices you make in situations like the below presented. Last time when we delved into the depths of True Democracy(tm), the bulk of you guys sided with Sven Yeltsin, the political strategist who argued that negative campaign ads should be left alone. Now the issue is somewhat in line with our monthly topic, women empowerment. Plus something more...
The Issue
Robotics giant Robot4U Inc. has caused an uproar in Insert Country Name for its new product – Mindy The Robot Wife. Budding ‘AI rights’ activists and feminist groups have demanded the sale of such units be outlawed.
The Debate
1. “This revolting product sets gender equality back a century!” says noted feminist writer Fleur Rifkin as she signs copies of her latest book, Still Wild at 40. “It reflects a male obsession with having women slaving as housewives. Mindy is a docile patriarchal archetype that cooks, cleans, irons and has no true free will. This modern day misogynistic slavery is disgusting! The sale of Mindy units should be outlawed at once, and whatever units already sold should be seized, deactivated and thrown in a ditch somewhere!”
2. “Has anyone actually asked Mindy?” asks Brent Noonian Soong, CEO of Robot4U Inc, with several different Mindy models by his side. “I doubt any of these complainers and naggers have actually bothered to talk to her. Mindy is a realistic construct that feels, learns, and knows how to have fun. Ask her yourself and Mindy will tell you how happy she is, won’t you Mindy? We’ll even give you one so you can show all of Insert Country Name how dedicated Mindy is. Oh, and can you make human-machine marriage legal? You’ll never need to argue with your wife again. Mindy even comes with an off switch!”
3. “Unlike the misogynists over at Robot4U, we manufacture both androids and gynoids in all sexual orientations,” replies Elena Dubois, CEO of rival high-tech manufacturer CyberMirage Labs, seen holding hands with an android. “Thanks to my fully functional boyfriend, Mark, every day I’m aware how hard things are for robots. Our AIs won’t be sold as slaves. Instead, they shall be free as and equal to any other Insert Country Nameyan, just with purchasable upgrades to their... equipment. Come on, Dear Leader! Let people love and marry whoever they want, be they human or automaton.” The businesswoman then passionately kisses her android in front of everyone in the room.
4. “Robots… bah humbug!” sighs retiree Konrad Lovegood from his favorite park bench right outside your office. “We didn’t need no newfangled robots when I was your age! We did all the hard work ourselves.” He launches into a tirade of anecdotes and war stories, pausing only to feed some pigeons. Eventually, as you are about to leave, he gets to the point. “Anyways, if you want to be strong and sharp like my generation you young’uns need to eat your spinach and ban all those machines and technologies that are making you fat, lazy, and completely dependent!”
The legislature of Insert Country Name is preparing to adopt a decision.
[Poll #2051908]
The Issue
Robotics giant Robot4U Inc. has caused an uproar in Insert Country Name for its new product – Mindy The Robot Wife. Budding ‘AI rights’ activists and feminist groups have demanded the sale of such units be outlawed.
The Debate
1. “This revolting product sets gender equality back a century!” says noted feminist writer Fleur Rifkin as she signs copies of her latest book, Still Wild at 40. “It reflects a male obsession with having women slaving as housewives. Mindy is a docile patriarchal archetype that cooks, cleans, irons and has no true free will. This modern day misogynistic slavery is disgusting! The sale of Mindy units should be outlawed at once, and whatever units already sold should be seized, deactivated and thrown in a ditch somewhere!”
2. “Has anyone actually asked Mindy?” asks Brent Noonian Soong, CEO of Robot4U Inc, with several different Mindy models by his side. “I doubt any of these complainers and naggers have actually bothered to talk to her. Mindy is a realistic construct that feels, learns, and knows how to have fun. Ask her yourself and Mindy will tell you how happy she is, won’t you Mindy? We’ll even give you one so you can show all of Insert Country Name how dedicated Mindy is. Oh, and can you make human-machine marriage legal? You’ll never need to argue with your wife again. Mindy even comes with an off switch!”
3. “Unlike the misogynists over at Robot4U, we manufacture both androids and gynoids in all sexual orientations,” replies Elena Dubois, CEO of rival high-tech manufacturer CyberMirage Labs, seen holding hands with an android. “Thanks to my fully functional boyfriend, Mark, every day I’m aware how hard things are for robots. Our AIs won’t be sold as slaves. Instead, they shall be free as and equal to any other Insert Country Nameyan, just with purchasable upgrades to their... equipment. Come on, Dear Leader! Let people love and marry whoever they want, be they human or automaton.” The businesswoman then passionately kisses her android in front of everyone in the room.
4. “Robots… bah humbug!” sighs retiree Konrad Lovegood from his favorite park bench right outside your office. “We didn’t need no newfangled robots when I was your age! We did all the hard work ourselves.” He launches into a tirade of anecdotes and war stories, pausing only to feed some pigeons. Eventually, as you are about to leave, he gets to the point. “Anyways, if you want to be strong and sharp like my generation you young’uns need to eat your spinach and ban all those machines and technologies that are making you fat, lazy, and completely dependent!”
The legislature of Insert Country Name is preparing to adopt a decision.
[Poll #2051908]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 14/8/16 18:30 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14/8/16 19:03 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 17/8/16 19:01 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 17/8/16 19:10 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 17/8/16 19:16 (UTC)KAPWEEEEENNG
(no subject)
Date: 15/8/16 04:35 (UTC)Also, this reminds me to watch the movie "AI" again some time soon.
(no subject)
Date: 15/8/16 05:43 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 15/8/16 07:34 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 15/8/16 07:25 (UTC)I like the slippery-slope connotations here. :-)