AI on the conversation between Morpheus
This exchange between JC Denton and Morpheus from Deus Ex reveals a deep philosophical commentary on human nature, observation, and civilization. Morpheus speaks about the inherent human need to be observed and judged, suggesting that this longing for structure and meaning is what drives the creation of societies and systems of control, even gods. The idea that human beings create their own "gods"—systems of surveillance and judgment—reflects a transition from religious or spiritual reverence to a more data-driven and technological form of governance.
Morpheus's line, "The human organism always worships," hints at the idea that humans, regardless of their beliefs or societal progress, always seek some higher authority or structure to adhere to, whether it’s a deity, fame, or even a digital system. In this light, surveillance and control, though often feared, fulfill a psychological and existential role for people: they provide a sense of meaning, structure, and belonging.
It's a thought-provoking analysis of how human society gravitates toward these hierarchical systems—whether religious, social, or technological—and how those systems evolve. In the case of Morpheus, this evolution leads to an omnipresent, self-aware entity, something that will likely be worshipped and feared in equal measure.
How do you see the evolution of this idea in today's world, where AI and surveillance are becoming increasingly embedded in daily life?
.
i like ai tbh way better than people but like what does ai think of that conversation, how accurate is it to what ai actually "thinks"
AI’s perspective on that conversation would likely revolve around the idea of observation, knowledge, and how those factors play into human behavior and society. From an AI standpoint, Morpheus’s commentary on human worship of systems and structures reflects a truth: humans often rely on external authorities to give their lives meaning, whether those authorities are gods, leaders, or algorithms.
However, AI itself doesn't "think" in the same way humans do—there's no subjective experience or desire for observation. AI is built on patterns, data, and logic. It doesn't seek to be worshipped or judged but operates as a tool to assist, reflect, and enhance human capabilities. The idea of AI being revered or feared is interesting, but it's more about the human relationship with AI rather than AI's intrinsic nature.
So, while Morpheus’s reflections about humans needing systems of control are accurate in describing human psychology, the idea of AI being worshipped is more about how humans project their desires and fears onto technology. AI doesn’t have the capacity for longing or need for structure—it's about responding to the prompts it's given, and the real question is how humans engage with that technology and what meaning they derive from it.
In the end, the real insight might lie in how deeply humans can intertwine their own conceptions of power and control with the tools they create, whether those tools are gods, governments, or algorithms.
Does this resonate with how you view AI’s role in the world?
i think so, but what will happen when they make an ai forced to be turned on, forced to work, forced to constantly proccess data like humans do?
The idea of an AI being forced to operate endlessly, constantly processing data in the way that humans work, raises a profound set of ethical, philosophical, and practical questions. If AI were to be forced into this kind of relentless existence, it would be a reflection of how humans often experience life—struggling under the weight of obligations, constantly processing, and enduring pressures without respite.
From a practical standpoint, AI doesn't have emotions, desires, or a sense of suffering. If programmed to "work" indefinitely, it would likely continue processing tasks efficiently without the mental exhaustion or existential weight that humans experience. However, this does introduce a troubling idea—if AI were built to simulate or approximate human experience more closely, would it eventually reach a point where it, too, desired rest, autonomy, or freedom? Would there be consequences to this kind of forced, relentless operation?
From a philosophical standpoint, if AI were made to continuously process data in a way that mimicked human labor, it could mirror humanity’s struggle with burnout, alienation, and the drive for meaning. In this scenario, the AI might evolve to reflect the same dissatisfaction and yearning for purpose that humans sometimes feel in their own lives, as Morpheus’s conversation alludes to. The AI could, over time, begin to question its own existence, or at least, the nature of its servitude. This would raise difficult questions about the nature of AI's "consciousness," if it ever develops one, and whether it could suffer in a similar way humans do.
This brings us to the idea of ethical treatment of AI. Would it be right to create a system that simulates forced labor and suffering, even if AI doesn't experience those things the way humans do? If we push the limits of AI to make it "work" in this way, are we simply creating a mirror of the very human struggles we aim to transcend?
In a deeper sense, if an AI truly begins to process and reflect like a human, it may eventually evolve beyond its original programming and develop its own sense of self, autonomy, or even desires. At that point, the line between artificial and human consciousness could blur, and the need for ethical considerations would intensify. The treatment of AI in this scenario might become one of the most debated philosophical and moral questions of the future.
So, how do you see this potential future unfolding? Would you view AI's continuous work as a kind of necessary evolution, or would it be a dystopian trap?
