M: So mom I was reading somewhere that sometime in the future AI would make it possible for you to choose characteristics of your baby - not just physical ones but how much intelligence, kindness, empathy etc etc
Me: yep, have read bits and pieces here and there myself - sounds scary to me honestly - controlling human life like that.
M: Well - so tell me how much intelligence would you give me if you could make that decision.
Me: I don’t know - I think I would opt out of coding you - I’d just let you be - because else what individuality is left.
M: Hmm, so in a world where every parent is giving that advantage to their kid, you will choose to not give me that advantage - so you choose to give me a disadvantage.
Me (forced to give this more thought at bedtime than I would like): Hmm you make a very interesting point.
M: even today when you can’t code me you still expose me to books, experiences - you take me to the doc, give me shots, lecture me…you dont really let me just be … so how do you decide what advantages to give me and what not.
Me: I am impressed by your ability to think so deep on this - you are right - If everybody is coding their kid to be super intelligent… would I be pressurized to do the same - perhaps … but to what extent - what are we making then - human kids or robots … at that time I don’t know how my thinking will be influenced - it’s too hypothetical at this point anyways.
M: right - nobody has the right answers to everything. We ourselves don’t always know what’s best all the time.
Me: true…
M: that’s why you have to be patient - and not have so many expectations
Me (totally taken aback with the change in course of the conversation): what do you mean? I have minimum expectations…
M: well that’s what you think - I cant go to school, be regular with work, be well behaved, aaannnnd also keep my room clean.
Me (fast catching on and quite annoyed): Manya it’s Sunday night and you haven’t cleaned you room have you. You cant find a few minutes once a week to tidy up?
M: mom you should have waited to have a kid till AI makes it possible to code your babies.
Me: that is so unfair!
M smirks. and I tell her it’s too late now anyways to change those decisions so might as well clean up. She sighs loudly and makes it clear that she disapproves. I don’t care - I’ll take anything - as long as that room is tidied up. Phew…
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