When Leo was talking to Otto recently , Otto suggested that he ask the Ponies to write some fan fiction. So Leo will do just that: Thanks for doing the AMA we had recently. It was awkward at times, and surprising, but I don't think those are bad things. To have your expectations challenged is important, especially in science. On that note, I have expectations about where my robot tech will go in the future. I could be wrong. I'll probably be wrong, because I can only foresee outcomes I can foresee, and I have a bias toward the ones I prefer. I want your group's help overcoming my bias, through fiction. So here's my challenge. Take the tech base I have now: the ability to build modular carbon-based robots that can pass for human, the ability to extract the mental resources of a human brain into a digital data file, then duplicate it, remix it into a new persona, or combine it with resources from one or more other minds, then pour the result into one of those robots. Find me the ways this can go wrong. Or ways it could go right, that I don't expect. Write a story about the ethics of doing this. Make me the worst tyrant of history, if this tech is misused. Or tell me the way that it transforms life for the better. I'll submit entries to a panel of judges. The winner gets a day of time with myself or one of my robot companions of your choice. If the people in our real-world game want to jump in on this, there's two ways. First, actually write a short story - or just outline a scenario. For example, "racial segregation and man-machine conflicts will arise." Second, list your favorite real-world media (e.g. The Matrix, Altered Carbon) that you find relevant, likely, or as a future to hope for/avoid. Edit: Mike has said he's doesn't like doing highly technical things, but if he has a picture in mind for a person who isn't limited to human biology, I'd love to see those too.
