We Come In Peace?
Jan. 27th, 2005 10:05 amRight. I'm sure by now you've all heard the news, so the question is, 'what does this mean for us?'
I'm pretty sure the answer is 'nothing, really'. At least, if the government manages to follow proper object-oriented practices when dealing with the interface. There's no reason to treat this any differently than any other foreign relationship.
So of course, we're screwed. They're bound to make a big deal about it -- I'm sure the bigots will be out in force saying 'so and so isn't really human' just because, you know, they might not share 100% of their DNA with the human race as we know it. There'll be long, rambling, pointless speeches by muddy-headed mystics saying that there are 'critical moral issues' at stake, that never go to the trouble of actually saying what those issues might be. Just like anything else that's even slightly unusual.
Anyway, I guess the key thing is not to panic. Or at least, that's what I'll keep telling myself while I curl up under the desk and weep.
I'm pretty sure the answer is 'nothing, really'. At least, if the government manages to follow proper object-oriented practices when dealing with the interface. There's no reason to treat this any differently than any other foreign relationship.
So of course, we're screwed. They're bound to make a big deal about it -- I'm sure the bigots will be out in force saying 'so and so isn't really human' just because, you know, they might not share 100% of their DNA with the human race as we know it. There'll be long, rambling, pointless speeches by muddy-headed mystics saying that there are 'critical moral issues' at stake, that never go to the trouble of actually saying what those issues might be. Just like anything else that's even slightly unusual.
Anyway, I guess the key thing is not to panic. Or at least, that's what I'll keep telling myself while I curl up under the desk and weep.