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Communications will be a building zone over the next few few weeks while we integrate the systems from the Scylla into a workable network. We'll be occupying a number of empty rooms on 001 in the meantime, at least until things get back to normal, although if things work out we may link the rooms into Comms anyway. Things got uncomfortable last month sleeping on the floor; I think we're all agreed on that one, at least.

[ Nathan rubs his chin, considering for once just leaving it there. But then it would get very Invasion of the Body Snatchers around here. ]

For those of you that have forgotten, we have a service every seventh day - that's tomorrow - in the chapel in the Oxygen Gardens. Anyone is welcome to speak, sing, pray or otherwise sit in silence. Practically any faith is welcome. No blood sacrifices though, huh? The gardens is also where we keep our memorial wall. If you have people you miss, and you want them to be remembered, come down and make sure they're there. There's also a book where you can leave messages to loved ones past and future. Give me a call if someone's missing.

Also I need to talk to someone with a mind for the ethics of artificial intelligence, regarding the line where something's sentient. They need to be patient and keep their temper, no matter how ignorant on the subject I am. I also need to know if anyone around here does ironwork. I'm in the market for a deadbolt, so that in an emergency I don't have to barricade the door to lock it from the inside.

If anyone has questions about the Tranquility, about how things work around here, or regarding what happened last month, I'm here to answer them for you. Orientation for those who want to join Comms is tomorrow, and yes, any help with setting up the new control room would be more than welcome. That's your lot. Petrelli out.

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You may use my room on the thirteenth level. I am never there. I look forward to the service tomorrow.

You're kind to offer, but there are plenty of vacant rooms on 001, and I don't trust the elevators as far as I could throw them. I'd rather keep my people close.

Will you be there?

That is my intent. I regret that I missed the last one.

[He was kind of in the brig.]

Through no fault of your own. You'll be most welcome.

[ Okay, the chapel bit? Is kind of laughable, but the guy seems sincere about it so Peter's just gonna leave that alone. The rest? Why the hell not. ]

Better ways to lock a door then with a deadbolt. And really, artificial intelligence is still artificial no matter which way you look at it. But if you want to go down the road of ethics, you're gonna get a hundred different opinions and you'll still be the one stuck trying to decipher which one keeps you on moral ground.

Edited 2013-05-11 17:44 (UTC)

That I believe. It's just if I go ahead and do what I'm planning, there's the chance of our getting in a lot of shit over it. It's more about covering my bases, you know what I mean?

I'm pretty sure a toaster is still a toaster.

If it has to do with AI tech, then you're gonna get in a lot of shit over it no matter what you do. Not to mention, you're in space. Getting into shit with someone over whether or not you're following the three laws of robotics should be up there on the least of your concerns.

I'll perform blood sacrifices if I want.

[ She's kidding.

But no really. ]

The three laws of robotics?

[ No really he's a complete novice at this. ]

I'm sure I'd remember taking that at law school.

Well you better make sure you put a laminate over the altar and clean up when you're done, I'm just saying.

Oh, C'mon. The Three Laws of Robotics? [ a pause, waiting for him to get it but.. nothing. okay fine, here we go. ]

Created by Isaac Asimov, in 1942. They were featured first in his short story Runaround, but he used it as a reoccurring theme in the rest of his works. Guy's more well known for his Robot series, along with some young adult fiction. The laws were the only three laws that AI robots, or positronic as he called it, had to follow. Couldn't be broken but sometimes the robots had to work their way around them. Whole thing was meant to represent what artificial intelligence would have to be constricted to comply with to fit within the limits of humanity. And just how complicated it would get.

Granted, if the robots didn't know they were breaking the laws, it was a whole different ball game. And if they were forced to? Things would fall apart.

I guess I can do that.

Man, now if someone performs a blood sacrifice, everyone's going to think I did it.

You brought it on yourself. [ Tutting. ] It's the chickens I feel sorry for.

So these are...fictional laws.

[ Okay. Life is so difficult. ]

Could you maybe give me the low down on what these laws are?

Fictional. You got it.

[ Okay, he needs a second to think. ] I don't know if i've got the wording down perfectly, but the first law's definitely that a robot can't injure another human, and that through inaction, it can't let a human get hurt. Second's that a robot has to obey the orders given to it by another human, as long as they don't conflict with the first law. And the third's that a robot's has to protect its own existence, as long as that doesn't conflict with the first or second laws.

Pretty shitty life, being a robot.

Loved ones past and future. I imagine if I were to leave a message to my future loved ones, it would start with a very fervent apology. But that's not what I wanted to say. What did I want to say? Oh yes, Communications. I'd like to help.

Those laws are a bunch of bullshit, just so you know. In my world, anyway. I mean I know you said they're fictional so maybe you already get that, but yeah. Nobody actually follows those.

[ commence not giving a shit. ]

Well hey, good for you. I'm glad you managed to find a new world order.

Hey man, I'm just saying, if Petrelli there's trying to learn this stuff, then at least someone with experience in it should contribute something.

Then if you've got the experience, contribute away. I know how robotics works where I come from and maybe even a little more than that, but doesn't stop me from talking about a fine work of fiction.

So, what's got you so curious about AI, huh?

Then perhaps you should leave it anyway, just in case.

[ You've been around before haven't you? The guy who speaks horse, right? The troublemaker. Nathan squints at his device, and thinks this is a probably bad idea, but on the other hand... ]

On a temporary basis, or something more permanent?

But necessary, I imagine, when you're programming things which have incredible strength, smarts--don't need to sleep. It's the kind of backup I'd put in myself.

[ That is just the kind of person Nathan is. ]

An off switch.

A mapping idea I've been working on, but it requires a rudimentary kind of AI--and the expendability of the units.

But do they dream of electric sheep? [ he can't help it, it was right there. ]

I'd definitely go with an off switch. Send something like that loose into the world and you need to know you've got a way to make the thing go down when you want it to go own. Even when you're on the other side of the world.

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