What television shows are you watching?

[Sommerswerd]

In truth, a properly functioning Data would have seen the "beauty" in Hugh, and would have probably been more interested in emulating him and other Borg in the Collective. Given his obvious superiority to humans, it would only make sense that he would want to join them, would it not? He could achieve machine perfection in this case.

Remember that the Borg Queen has almost exactly this conversation with Data in First Contact... and interestingly the way they dealt with the issue you raised is that it is only when Data gains access to emotion, that he embraces the feeling of superiority to humans. To be sure... its not the first time he actually expresses awareness of his superiority... IIRC he says as much to Reiker during their first meeting in TNG's pilot (correct me if I'm wrong).

In reality, a being such as Data would undoubtedly realize his "perfect" nature and conclude that he was superior to humans, and not aspire to be one. The writers of ST:TNG unjustly anthropomorphized him into being a human wannabe for the purposes of creating drama, and a "lovable" character that the audience could relate to. His struggle to be human was a parable of our struggle to be better humans. His real impact on the series could have been much more profound, IMHO.

This is another interesting point because remember that Data has a similar conversation as this with Spock... I forget what episode... but I remember that when Spock makes a similar conclusion, he delivers his trademark "Fascinating" accompanied by his signature raised eyebrow. Maybe I can find the clip...

 

[Sommerswerd]

Found it... Not exactly as I remembered it, but the overall point was as I remembered

 

[Takhisis]

That show is ribs-cracking funny... especially Brak... and it used to come on at just the optimum time of night for folks to be in the perfect state of mind to enjoy such a delightfully absurd show. What a classic

Obviously, to be in the right state of mind, I watched it at 1-ish a.m. I awoke at 7 for my troubles.

I had never heard that so I just looked up "Piggate"... it seems that the Episode actually aired before the story came out... so more prophetic powers by Black Mirror... if you can believe that.

Long ago in the 90s, when you were young, there was a series where a fictional John Major had an affair.

 

[Zack]

I thought the episode with Jon Hamm was easily the best of the ones I've seen.

 

[Sommerswerd]

That was "White Christmas" and yes it was one of the best ones... and also simultaneously one of the ones that was the most connected to all the others.

 

[yung.carl.jung]

I don't remember, I tuned them out when they got on my nerves.

And yeah, I'm happy whenever AI issues show up in popular media. We have to grapple with a rapidly-shifting reality and fiction helps us get there I think.

Remember the one that had a black woman screaming literally throughout the entire episode as she runs away from comically bad "psycho killers", one with a turkey knife? That one was the most cringe.

 

[Kyriakos]

Remember the one that had a black woman screaming literally throughout the entire episode as she runs away from comically bad "psycho killers", one with a turkey knife? That one was the most cringe.

I think i saw part of that - if it was among the first eps of season 1 (or the season with pig Cameron anyway)

But some other eps also are very bad. Tbf the Cameron one wasn't that good either ^^

 

[Sommerswerd]

Remember the one that had a black woman screaming literally throughout the entire episode as she runs away from comically bad "psycho killers", one with a turkey knife? That one was the most cringe.

That one was called "White Bear" and the killers were:

Spoiler Major Show Spoiler :

not really killers, but instead were herders who's job it was to torture her with fear and drive her to the show set where it would be exposed that she was on a live-action-reality-show as part of her sentence for murder

I agree that it's not one of the best episodes.

I think i saw part of that - if it was among the first eps of season 1 (or the season with pig Cameron anyway) But some other eps also are very bad. Tbf the Cameron one wasn't that good either ^^

Nope season 2 ... And I wouldn't rank the Cameron-Pig episode high either. Its one of my least favourites.

On another note... I've just started watching HumAns on Amazon-Prime. Anybody seen that? It's another bit about AI/Androids.

 

[Mouthwash]

The Star Trek episode was, I agree, sublime... but TNG simply is not the same for me anymore.

I agree that it's not one of the best episodes.

I actually really liked it!

 

[Synobun]

I have been watching Babylon Berlin while in bed. It's been an interesting experience thus far. Good casting. Not 100% on what the story is meant to be but it involves vice cops and Trotsky.

Edit: Also, the English dub sucks, so watch it in its original language (German) with subtitles.

Finished it. It's very good, quite engrossing. The quality matches the financial investment they put into it. The story is enticing and, although it has a few holes, seems to stand up to scrutiny.

The ending, however, was embarrassingly awful. It is like they took the previous 15 episodes of enticing story and spit in your face. If it was meant to set up the second season, it's going to be a terrible second season. I wouldn't watch past the first 20 minutes of the finale.

 

[Sommerswerd]

The Star Trek episode was, I agree, sublime... but TNG simply is not the same for me anymore.

I actually really liked it!

Its not so much that I didn't like it... I really like Black Mirror in general, but of all the episodes it was one of my least favs.

When you say "the Star Trek episode" are you talking about the Black Mirror one or the TNG one that I posted? Cause the Black Mirror episode seemed to be based on TOS rather than TNG right?

 

[Mouthwash]

When you say "the Star Trek episode" are you talking about the Black Mirror one or the TNG one that I posted? Cause the Black Mirror episode seemed to be based on TOS rather than TNG right?

The Black Mirror one. I'm currently going through TNG and after seeing it, watching Picard bark out orders makes me slightly nauseous.

 

[Birdjaguar]

On another note... I've just started watching HumAns on Amazon-Prime. Anybody seen that? It's another bit about AI/Androids.

What's the plot line about?

 

[Sommerswerd]

What's the plot line about?

So sayeth Wikipedia:

based on the Swedish science fiction drama Real Humans, the series explores the themes of artificial intelligence and robotics, focusing on the social, cultural, and psychological impact of the invention of anthropomorphic robots called "synths".

In the episode(s) I watched, the dad character goes shopping to buy an android to basically be the maid/babysitter/cook for their house because he is overwhelmed and mom is always away working. Mom feels replaced and hates the thing... on top of everything else the android is pretty attractive... another couple has a hunky male android who is acting as the live in physical thrapist for a woman who is recovering from a debilitating accident. The husband feels replaced and is getting jealous of the android... finally there is an older man who is due for a replacement android to be his live-in nurse, (a Mrs. Doubtfire/nanny type), but he doesn't want to give up the "old" malfunctioning one he already has (a young boy) because it "knows" him and reminds him of his son, or something along those lines. It also seems like the androids are provided by insurance and/or some kind of national health system... Meanwhile people are stealing the androids and turning them into prostitutes, cause... of course they are... and there is a "treat them like humans" movement going on, cause... of course there is..

Its seems pretty good so far.

 

[Synobun]

So sayeth Wikipedia:

Sounds like something a synth would say.

 

[Birdjaguar]

So sayeth Wikipedia:

Cool, 16 episodes to watch! thanks.

 

[Sommerswerd]

Sounds like something a synth would say.

Cool, 16 episodes to watch! thanks.

You guys jumped the gun! I wrote you a little teaser Go back and read it!

 

[Kozmos]

Altered Carbon was pretty goddamn good. They switched around some story elements and expanded others. Overall I think the show was very true to the novel. I wonder if the second season will follow the second novel and we'll see another actor play Tak.

 

[Takhisis]

we'll see another actor play Tak.

WTH are you in this with Tim and you both want to replace me?

 

[yung.carl.jung]

I actually really liked it!

Not surprising at all, you are a friend of draconic punishment after all