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Originally posted by Macheath
I'm just interested to know if programs are going to develop in a direction that would allow them to really interact with humans in an overt manager/subordinate relationship, with the concept of direct authority present in that relationship.
I just wonder to what extent there is a truly multidisciplnary approach where philosophers, psychologists and sociolgists have a hand in designing AI programs together.
If that multidisciplinary approach isn't taken, will there be a fundamental flaw in the "relationship" between humans and computers?
I know humans are CAPABLE of listening to orders without thinking, I just wonder whether that will be good for peoples' long term psychological wellbeing.
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Well for what its worth A.I. is very very multidisciplinary. Developers draw from everything and anything that humans have done, learned or endeavored to do.
And no, the system outlined here is *bad* for peoples well being.. psychologically and even physically. Thats sort of the point. This story is an all too plausible work of dystopian fiction.
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Under a good human manager, a worker who shows initiative may be rewaded with commendation and maybe even promotion into management. Would a bright, ambitious and creative human working for a computer become quickly depressed at being unable to "impress" the computer. Would the stifled go-getter eventually respond with a shotgun blast to the CPU? How do you go about writing the "promotion program"? Units sold? Customer interaction? Morale boosted?
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There is no "promotion program" and none is needed because there is no possibility of promotion. Its already quite common in fast food that managers are never promoted up from working staff, and upper management sure as hell isn't made of people who worked there way up. If a system like manna were in place there would be no need to promote anyone, and no desire to either.
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We have whole social systems based on things like creativity, prejudice, laziness, brilliance, ambition, class, ego, dishonesty, lenience, mercy, anger, pride, humility and honour. Would a people management program be able to take all of those things into account or would it need human guidance? Is it actually a human trait to NEED at least the illusion of human control and, if so, how do you overcome that need?
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Do people really need the illusion of human control? I can tell you for sure that they don't need creativity or freedom. Despite what our noble culture would have you believe, the drive to be "free" is a very weak one in humans. History shows that it is *very* easy to enslave people... people generally make good and obedient slaves. I see no reason they would have any more ability to resist a computer than they would a man. Whats more the computer is backed up by not only the standard slavemaster equipment (men with weapons, the threat of starvation) but also a very subtle and well thought out advertising plan.
For those of you who mentioned that pissed off employs would just take a hammer to the "Manna". Well your probably right, but all that does is set back the company ~$2000 in off the shelf hardware. The employee is fired, and the new system is in by lunch. As for things not operating in the case of a power surge or power out I worked at chili's and when the power went out the place ground to a standstill. We already have that vulnerability, its not really a new ore even additional problem.