Perhaps. Depends on the population dynamics, among other things. But I'd guess that at least one thing an automaton lacks is empathy; if you can't feel, you can't really relate to something that does, even if you act as though you do. Which makes it interesting to note how many sociopaths show up in the world's upper echelons, hmm?
Other Quotes by "Peter Watts"
Well, according to game theory, you should never tell anyone when your birthday is. It's a lose-lose proposition. There's no winning strategy. (If they throw you a party) Then you don't know whether they're doing it sincerely, or if your earlier interaction just guilted them into observing an occasion they'd rather have ignored. But if you don't tell anyone, and nobody commemorates the event, there's no reason to feel badly because after all, nobody knew. And if someone does buy you a drink then you know it's sincere because nobody would go to all the trouble of finding out when your birthday isβ and then celebrating itβif they didn't honestly like you.
Tags: game-theory, birthday
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