Philosophy class, Thursday, 2-4pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara comes into the classroom bearing a toaster under her arm.

A shiny, stainless steel toaster.

Grinning brightly at the small class, Tara sets the toaster down and plugs it in.

"Today we're discussing personhood. I bring in front of you a guest speaker. An artificial intelligence. Talk to it. There are two questions for this class, with a single goal. First: is this intelligence a person? On what grounds do you make that decision? Second: if it is a person, what implications does that raise?

"This will be the basis for an out of class assignment. Talk with talkytoaster today, and take away what you learn here to the library. You will select a philosopher and apply today's discussion to his or her opinions on artificial intelligence or the rights and responsibilities of humanity. Next week you will hand in the results of your research. I expect you to come to a personal standpoint on the implications of non-humanoid intelligence, in whichever arena you have chosen to focus on."

Comments

[talkytoaster.livejournal.com]

Asked Tara to marry me, this is true
Told me no, that she was promised to you.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"You wanna marry Tara?" Shane asks, grinning. "Yeah, I... I guess I can't blame you. She's amazing."

"So... do you like being called Talkytoaster? I mean, is that -- I know that's what you are or... I don't know, it's what you do, too, but... do you like that name?"

[talkytoaster.livejournal.com]

Talkytoaster is a fine name, fitting for me.
Given to me from adventures on the high seas.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you've traveled and stuff?" Shane says, giving him a surprised look. "What are some of the places you've been to? Like, what's your favorite place?"