Open to Investigators

[shiroganeheir]

I cannot be the only person who is worried about PSYCHE-net, can I? I have no problems with androids or robots, however there is just something unsettling about this that I cannot put my finger on. We need to keep a close watch on this so-called beta situation.

Also, is anyone else suspicious about this... entity? I am beginning to wonder if we are encountering another one of our infamous Trumps. The Lovers comes to mind. Any thoughts?

Comments

[howexciting]

... of course. That is how it knew so much about me and what I was planning to do during this Jaunt! I... I had thought my role in this universe had been assigned for me out of sheer coincidence, but... but nothing is really coincidence, is it?

[shiroganeheir]

Not when it comes to being a traveler. It told me something about people finding me as well, which is... rather appropriate considering things that happened at home.

If the Lovers were to appear, it does make quite a lot of sense that it would be in a scenario like this.

[inexecution]

Why? It's just a computer...

[shiroganeheir]

I possibly watch too many movies, however, when AIs make a transition from one state to another, there is a possibility that... problems would arise. I am simply encouraging caution and observation, as it is possible that whatever we are here to do has connections to this situation.

[zerothtohero]

I am... not certain as to why you feel this is a matter for concern. Certainly, this sort of development is normal for any robot or artificial intelligence. One must learn the basics before being able to learn the more complex subtleties of human behaviour. I can draw parallels to myself, though the term 'beta testing' was not used.

[It honestly hadn't dawned on him that PSYCHENet might be a Trump.]

[shiroganeheir]

To be perfectly honest, I likely watch too many movies, and read too much science fiction.

[Robot manga plus a fertile imagination are not helpful sometimes.]

However, if we are here for a reason, it is a situation that warrants watching. By no means am I saying that all artificial intelligences are problematic. It is very possible that there is no need for concern.

[Oh... is he... She is able, barely, to cut off the million questions she wants to ask.]

[seestheworld]

How many encounters have you had with them so far?

[shiroganeheir]

The computer, one.

If you are speaking about the Trumps, I have spoken to two of them myself. Others have spoken to a third.

[solvethepuzzle]

There is merit to the speculation. It's something that bears more investigation, certainly.

And even supposing it is not, programming input from such a wide range of participants may only succeed in compromising the system. And it is of note that the PSYCHENet has requested advice or updates on ethics, which could be twisted quite handily by the wrong individuals.

[shiroganeheir]

Exactly. I believe that is what I could not put my finger on. When there are this many people inputting something as specific as ethics or just programming in general, problems could easily arise.

Also, I cannot help but wonder if this is somehow connected to the reason for our presence here.

[shantiprayer]

Why would you be worried? Is it just because it's a computer? If so, then that's a little mean... The timing is kind of suspicious, but maybe we're here to stop other being messing with it, and make sure the transition can happen?

[shiroganeheir]

No. It is not just because of that. It is because it is receiving input from multiple people who would likely have different opinions on important things such as ethics.

Personally, I believe anything that can think for itself is a sentient entity, but that is not what we are here to discuss.

That is quite possible, and to some extent, why I was suggesting observation. The timing is, as you say, suspicious enough that it merits observation, whether that turns into action of any sort or not.

[upcard]

Shirogane-san... um... [What really concerns her is the person who scattered all of those letters, the person who could have programmed any unethical things into the computer without issue--

But. She's not quite coherent or eloquent enough to say so, so instead:]

I was wondering if...something might happen around White Day? It's the next romantic holiday, and um--the update is a little before then too, and... [or is she totally off base here, she could be totally wrong, she'll just trail off into silence then.]

[shiroganeheir]

Actually, that is a good observation. White Day and Valentine's Day are very connected, especially in high schools, so if something were to happen, it could be connected with that.

Good observation, Mai-san. Do you know if there is any talk of things happening for or around White Day? I have not heard anything, but I also have not heard everything that is going on.

[morbirdinterest]

I agree that PSYCHEnet's transition to beta testing bears close watching. Not simply because something may go wrong, but because we may be called upon to prevent something from going wrong. I can only imagine what further drama may be caused among the student body should PSYCHEnet's functioning be...disrupted. And there is already evidence of certain factions within the school body who are prone to inciting emotion-related chaos, is there not?

...Of course, this assumes that PSYCHEnet is, indeed, an artificial intelligence native to this world, rather than one of the Trumps in disguise.

[shiroganeheir]

Yes. I have not been able to observe all of the factions, however, I do know there are some... fairly passionate groups that seem to clash. I hope that we have people in each of the groups to be able to report on what is going on. I wonder if we should do a roll call of some sort.

If it is a Trump, that creates a whole other set of questions.

[thirdarrow]

[ Takakage had been quiet throughout the conversation, waiting for a lull in the psychic exchanges to speak. ]

That is very much possible. Though I would not conclude it to be the Lovers just yet. The Empress may be a slim possibility.

Do we know anything about these Trumps?

[shiroganeheir]

Interesting. Why would you say Empress?

I have spoken to two of them personally, and I know... almost nothing. They are the ones who send us on these Jaunts, they seem to have control over Liminal Space, and currently they seem to by laying claim to various Travelers, looking for, as Sun said to me, allies.

nyooms all up in here...........

[surveyor]

You think this... [wait for it, this word is still as foreign to him as the concept itself] computer is the Lovers?

[Levi tilts his head, intrigued, ears twitching as he fights to control the wind that he can feel displacing some of the grass at his feet. Worked up already...

This is too important to be interrupted by an S. Tech episode.]

What's your evidence to support that possibility?

[He isn't arguing, he just wants to know before flinging himself at it with guns claws a-blazin'... As much as every nerve in his body (and his teenaged-ly immature brain) wants to do precisely that and damn the consequences.]

[shiroganeheir]

It seems to know quite a lot about people who are not Infiltrating or of this world. Also, it does fit the pattern of Trumps appearing.

However, I suggest caution. At the moment, this is only a theory. We have no direct confirmation of anything. It is something to watch, not act upon.

[fridgeninja]

If it's a Trump, everyone should stay clear of it.

[shiroganeheir]

Once we have confirmed that it is, I would concur. However, on the chance that it is not a Trump, and an important part of this Jaunt, we will likely need to interact with it at least some.

I will be at the wedding paying attention to this beta-situation, an I believe Leonardo-sensei is intending to speak to it more, as well as Ambrose, as they have already been Chosen.

[tailforbrains]

It's gotta be something. It knew somebody had broken up only five minutes after it happened. That's crazy. How could a computer know that? And how could a computer know all of us, anyway?

What's the Lovers supposed to be like? Are they actually all about love, or is it something else, like the Fool not being, y'know, foolish?

[shiroganeheir]

Computers can be quite intelligent, but almost immediate knowledge would either indicate we are being bugged, or something very different.

The Lovers, in my knowledge, is connected to Love and Relationships, but also to social interactions and important choices, for example, someone having an important crossroads in their life.

[creatic]

Did anyone ever consider that since it's not doing any harm to leave it alone instead of piss it off if it is a Trump?

[nicotinized]

[...Okita actually has a good idea. Toshi's not sure how horrified he should be.]

Yeah - encouraging development in a good direction? Probably okay. Trying to destroy it probably not so much.

[closedcircuit]

[Ky hadn't stood at a terminal and made the sign of the cross, but the sentiment is at least similar.]

I'm very concerned about it. I don't suppose smashing the terminals is an option?

[It's said a little wryly, at least.]

[nicotinized]

You'd just make a mess and draw attention - there's no way the code only lives on publicly accessible terminals. [He is not a tech wiz and still knows this]

[nicotinized]

Has anyone figured out who the original programmers are? Even if it's got learning algorithms, someone had to start the thing up.

[littleladyluck]

It's a good thing that I was raised around Greek mythology. PSYCHEnet is verified to be named after Psyche, the Psyche who snared the heart of a god of love, and eventual goddess of the soul. I just wanted to verify that The Lovers are possibly in play. I know, very obvious, but it's always nice to double-check.

It seems a bit too obvious, though, doesn't it?

[howexciting]

... I should have thought of that, to be honest. Well done, Genevieve.