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Seoulio

Joined: 02 Jan 2010
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 6:44 am Post subject: If you could have Relative Utopia would you take it? |
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In A NOvel by Canadian Science fiction author, Robert J Sawyer There is a parallel world that exists next to ours where Neanderthal Man became the dominant species.
Now of course there are many unque things about this society, but one of the most interesting commentarys on contemporary society is the use of a bionic artificial intelligence surgically grafted into the body.
This implant intelligence acts as a translator of any language, a database of any fact, a GPS locator etc.
Now in this world Crime is unheard of ( part of this is due to the fact that anyone who crime of any kind is sterelized along with anyone who shares 50 percent or more of thier genetic material ( mother, father, brother, sister, and children) But one of the other mani reasons is that the implant acts as a record of any and all events, who has come in contact with you etc.
It is impossible to get away with a crime, so none are committed.
NOW, these records are stored in a high security building. It is IMPOSSIBLE to access these records without the person whose record you are retrieving, and 3 different archive holders. In the event that person is dead or missing there are multiple safeguards that prevent tampering.
In this world the records are secure and Big Brother can not watch on a whim.
Rape, kidnapping murder, all violent crime, even minor crime is non existent.
Given the hell hole that our world has evolved into, if you could be GUARANTEED to be safe, or that anyone who wronged you would be brought to swift and immediate justice, not to mention being assured that they were in fact the one that wronged you, would that be worth it to you at the cost of a very minor level of your personal freedom?
Now again keep in mind that no one actually "moniters" these recordings, they are archived in an off site hard drive and can not be opened or viewed without you, or MULTIPLE legal representatives in the event you are missing. They can not track you etc.
Would it be worth it to you to have your entire life recorded and backed up in an information vault, that no one would access except in the event of your death, to be guaranteed this safety? |
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perkxplosion
Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Location: gogo's. you know know.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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yes because i'm innocent your honor. |
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NYC_Gal

Joined: 08 Dec 2009
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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I've got nothing to hide, but the people would sure be ugly in that world! |
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Seoulio

Joined: 02 Jan 2010
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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when I have had this discussion with people it was almost never about "ive nothing to hide" its about the right to privacy.
My comment was always "at what price is that right?"
You may be a law abiding citizen, it doesnt mean you want the police to have the right to search your house without a warrant. |
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RMNC

Joined: 21 Jul 2010
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:05 am Post subject: |
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So you're saying that I would live a perfect life as long as someone was able to record my perfect life? Sure, why not? I'm not committing any crimes, and I'm not scared by the possibility that someone might have recorded my life at some point. If I was I would be scared of photography, or security cameras. |
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Seoulio

Joined: 02 Jan 2010
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:24 am Post subject: |
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yes thats exactly what I was saying  |
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Louis VI
Joined: 05 Jul 2010 Location: In my Kingdom
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:24 am Post subject: |
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We live in relative utopia compared to the bulk of humanity, past and present, so let's appreciate it for what it is and what we are. Religion and science fiction turn away from the way things are, are the opposite of lovers of fate.
Nietzsche wrote: |
My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it�all idealism is mendaciousness in the face of what is necessary�but love it.
I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; then I shall be one of those who make things beautiful. Amor fati: let that be my love henceforth! I do not want to wage war against what is ugly. I do not want to accuse; I do not even want to accuse those who accuse. Looking away shall be my only negation. And all in all and on the whole: some day I wish to be only a Yes-sayer. |
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Senior
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:30 am Post subject: |
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Why did it have to be a neanderthal society?
I don't think this would necessarily end crime.
-What about murder suicide?
-When the perpetrator thinks he can escape prosecution?
-White collar crime.
Why is the world we live in today such a "hell hole"? Sure it isn't that fun for more than half of the world's population, but many of us in the developed world live a better life than could even be imagined a few decades ago. And those people who do live retched lives are being brought up to comfortable levels at an ever accelerating rate.
Of course I would accept your hypothetical situation. |
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pangaea

Joined: 20 Dec 2007
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:17 am Post subject: |
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Interesting scenario. If it meant not looking over my shoulder everytime I walked through a dark parking lot, never having to double check my door locks at night, never seeing another news story about a missing child or a rape victim - I would have to say yes. Of course, that kind of security would have to involve the sacrifice of some personal privacy.
On the flip side, one of my favorite movies is M. Night Shyamalan's The Village. When I first saw it, I heard some people in the theater grumbling about the ending, but I loved it. I thought it raised an interesting question. Would you give up all modern amenities and conveniences to go live in an isolated time capsule of your own making if you thought it would keep your children from ever knowing murder, rape, or physical violence?
It's probably too late to go back. Might as well move forward into a world of crime-stopping implants.  |
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Seoulio

Joined: 02 Jan 2010
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:25 am Post subject: |
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Senior wrote: |
Why did it have to be a neanderthal society?
I don't think this would necessarily end crime.
-What about murder suicide?
-When the perpetrator thinks he can escape prosecution?
-White collar crime.
Why is the world we live in today such a "hell hole"? Sure it isn't that fun for more than half of the world's population, but many of us in the developed world live a better life than could even be imagined a few decades ago. And those people who do live retched lives are being brought up to comfortable levels at an ever accelerating rate.
Of course I would accept your hypothetical situation. |
In the book it just happenned to be neaderthal, actually the book is based on the fact that there are only TWO distinct parralel worlds, one in which conciousness went into man, and one where it went into neanderthal.
Neanderthal being a much different species than us in a lot of fundamental ways defined how they evolved ( big nasal capacities, so no fossil fuel burning for one) there are a number of evolutionary paths that they did not follow the way man did.
Murder suicide results in anyone who shares his genetic material to be sterelized, no one is that society commits murder suicide, but its a valid point.
The perpetrator can't escape prosecution, thats the point. Everyone in that society knows that.
White collar crime is crime, if you commit a crime, ANY crime you are sterelized ( and socity basically shuns you)
One of the main parts of the story is that years before two good friends got into a fight, the one guy got really angry and took a swing at his buddy, breaking his jaw. The victim kept it a secret knowing that his buddy's life would be over.
This world is not a total hell hole, there are of course some VERY negative elements and some very real dangers and concerns. I am not saying that its any better or worse than another period, but in this time period we are at a point where technologically we could ensure our safety on a much larger scale if we so desired.
I am not sure if we live a "better" life, more improved maybe, but i qouldnt say that it is for sure better. Thats an argument of a different sort though.
Anyway, please not that I responded with sincerity and politeness, whatever differences we have had in the past I'd like to drop them. For both our sanities, and the fact that I don't want to get banned
You should give the book(s) a try ( it's a trilogy)
Humans
Hominids
Hybrids |
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Seoulio

Joined: 02 Jan 2010
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:28 am Post subject: |
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Louis VI wrote: |
We live in relative utopia compared to the bulk of humanity, past and present, so let's appreciate it for what it is and what we are. Religion and science fiction turn away from the way things are, are the opposite of lovers of fate.
Nietzsche wrote: |
My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it�all idealism is mendaciousness in the face of what is necessary�but love it.
I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; then I shall be one of those who make things beautiful. Amor fati: let that be my love henceforth! I do not want to wage war against what is ugly. I do not want to accuse; I do not even want to accuse those who accuse. Looking away shall be my only negation. And all in all and on the whole: some day I wish to be only a Yes-sayer. |
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Im talking about HUMANITY as a whole Louis.
Also, you clearly do not read a lot of science fiction, most science fictions deals with contemporary issues and problems sometimes in a futuristic setting, often its in the present or at least in the very soon future.
I will agree with you on religion though |
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NYC_Gal

Joined: 08 Dec 2009
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:02 am Post subject: |
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I don't mind the police searching as long as they put everything back the way it was before. Seriously, I don't care if people go through my things, just so long as my things remain intact and in their place. I'm talking OCD exact placing. I know when my milk has been moved. |
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Louis VI
Joined: 05 Jul 2010 Location: In my Kingdom
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Seoulio wrote: |
Im talking about HUMANITY as a whole Louis. |
Ah, a God's eye view, so to speak. And just call me VI.
Seoulio wrote: |
Also, you clearly do not read a lot of science fiction, most science fictions deals with contemporary issues and problems sometimes in a futuristic setting, often its in the present or at least in the very soon future. |
I did until I was 14. I loved the 'what-if' aspect of it, projecting what could be. The veiled aspect of social criticism, like with Soviet writers averting political censure, didn't impress so much. |
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DorkothyParker

Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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I would be more concerned regarding penalties for small crimes. I've jaywalked once or twice, my friend's foot has been a little heavy driving home late from a neighboring city after a show. People do commit small infractions accidentally and I do not think these need to be life-shattering events.
Besides, my problems in this current world have never been a fear of crime.
Now, you find me a parallel universe where I can have more of that brown fat and eat whatever I want sans weight gain, and I will gladly give Big Brother access to all and any of my information.
PS. If all my data is stored on a chip, can I upload it into a robot body? What about just into a synthetic cyber world? It'd be life after death Caprica style.
(PS. I LOVE dystopian sci-fi!) |
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