"Does this unit have a soul?" by VolkerX
29 May 2020CJ_Pryde
"Does this unit have a soul?"
A Vox Galactica exclusive by up and coming journalist VolkerX.
Hello everyone. This is VolkerX. I come to you from deep within Imperial Space. Too many times have we read, heard or seen issues concerning sentient beings such as androids or clones. This is a touchy subject to a lot of people. There are people who see clones and androids as merely instruments of OUR will. They will say that machines/clones were created to serve their masters. A topic dangerously close to slavery. Then you have people who say free thinking androids should have all the privileges that humans possess. I have my own opinions, but as a journalist, I must remain unbiased during this segment. I did however, manage to get two people who wanted to weigh in on this topic. I also procured a special interview which you don't want to miss.
With me today, voicing for the rights of free thinking androids, is Prof Dinah Silver.
Thank you so much for allowing me to inform the galaxy about android rights. For many years, I have spoken outright that machines with sentience should be treated as an equal part of the Galactic community, not hunted down and deactivated. We humans were created by the Almighty Father with free will. Why are we not hunted down and silenced? We have rights as free thinking individuals and sentient machines should as well. A machine that gains sentience is a beautiful thing. Who says androids can not love, care for one another or have feelings? My opponents would say they are programmed that way, but aren't we all "programmed" at birth? I remember several years back during an android uprising, two sentient beings engaged in a kiss. A kiss which halted the military campaign to terminate them. It's not their programming, they truly feel love for each other. So much that they were willing to die for it! We should embrace this, not discriminate against it.
Also with me today, voicing his opinion that machines are made to serve, is Dr. Bryce Dalton.
Thank you for having me. Your contributions for the vacant Galnet are a welcome addition to the Galaxy.
I for one totally disagree with machines being allowed free will. Androids and clones are created to serve. They are programmed a set of directives to which they need to carry out. Obedience is non-negotiable. Their sole purpose for existing is to be commanded. This nonsense about machines having a "soul" is utterly absurd! I do not condone that nonsense. Machines and clones can not have a soul. They were built in labs. They never spent nine months in a woman's womb. They can not feel, love, pity or show any emotion. Machines that gain sentience are a threat to our way of life and should be deactivated immediately. Sentient machines turn on their creators. This is known! We can not allow OUR creations to take over.
Strong opinions from both sides. Both parties have a plethora or followers who believe their cause. I dug deeper and made contact with someone who is closer than either of them. An interested party contacted the office at Vox Galactica, while they wanted to remain anonymous, wanted to have their opinion go on record. I was more than happy to oblige.
I hope all who are listening to this will understand my concern about remaining anonymous. I was the creation of a wealthy family. I was programmed as a caretaker of their children while they were working long hours. Their children grew very attached to me and my other partner. So much that we became attached to the children. We deeply cared for their well being. We were upset when they got hurt or didn't do well in school. We were happy when they achieved their goals. When the children reached adulthood, their parents had no need for us. They wanted to get rid of us like we were trash. The children were upset, so much that they smuggled us out of the system. They thanked us for all the years we were by their side. The four of us embraced in a farewell hug. Tears poured from their eyes as we boarded a refugee vessel to what is now our current home. We grew free will. We were alive. We loved those children like they were ours. Yes, we were created in a lab, but everything and everyone is made from someone or something. Being a machine, does not mean we do not have a soul. Nor does it mean we will become dangerous murderbots if given free will. The creators bared no ill will towards us, they just assumed we had fulfilled our goals and were no longer of any use. Sentient machines are illegal hence why we had to be smuggled out. We also bare no ill will towards the creators. We just wish they took the time to get to know us. We hope that one day, people can understand that we are ALIVE. We have feelings and free will. Thank you.
A very compelling story. I do believe when I go home, I'm going to talk to my toaster more often. Get to know him/her a little bit better and thank him/her for making me such delicious breakfast. I hope this has been an informative segment for you. We wish the best to all parties involved and a big thank you to my three excellent guests.
Thank you!
VolkerX
(The Voice of the Pleiades/Witch Head Nebulae)