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...

[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.]

[seestheworld]

How many encounters have you had with them so far?

[howexciting]

Dio santo, why did I not see it sooner?

... the only way we will know for sure is if we can get PSYCHENet to talk and possibly slip up. Those of us who are marked by a Trump should probably speak to PSYCHENet instead of those who have been unmarked. We cannot do much for the Infiltrators, unfortunately, but...

[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.

[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.]

[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.

[shiroganeheir]

That is a good idea. I had not thought of it that way.

How many of us who are marked are Investigating this time? You and I and Ambrose, I know of for certain.

[inexecution]

There can be bugs, certainly, but then it just wouldn't work properly...

[But then, he's used to computers way more sophisticated than PSYCHE-net, so he has a hard time grasping what the problem might even be.]

Soliciting features from the general public might get a little messy, I guess.

[seestheworld]

I meant the Trumps, yeah. Which ones have shown up so far?

[shiroganeheir]

Fool, Sun, and Moon.

I spoke to Moon and Sun, who 'claimed' me. I am still uncertain what that means, however, I have a tattoo of the Sun Tarot card on my arm.

Also, for the record, because this will mean something to you, my Arcana is Fortune back home.

[shiroganeheir]

There would be contradictory programming, certainly.

I am not saying that there will be a problem, I just think the situation merits watching. We are here for a purpose, and as far as I can tell, this is out of the ordinary for this world.

[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.

[zerothtohero]

Portrayals in fiction are not always accurate. I intend to question PSYCHENet about its ethical subroutines, certainly, and I may offer advice, though if it is not yet ready for a concept it may not be able to integrate it.

[seestheworld]

...So your actual Arcana doesn't have any bearing on which Trump claims you, then. Although there are so many people here who either don't know their Arcana or just plain don't have one that I guess they'd have to do it that way.

Do you have any idea why they're claiming people, or are they keeping that mysterious, too?

[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.

[shiroganeheir]

Fiction is never accurate, no matter what it is portraying. I apologise for my assumptions.

If you have any insight on its possible motives, or if there are any concerns, would you let me know? I would appreciate it.

[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?

[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]

I believe I am the only person with an actual Arcana who has been claimed, but I could be wrong. I do not know everyone personally. I believe we have three people here who are Fool Arcana, but the Fool chose others.

I cannot even begin to speculate. Sun spoke to me of 'allies', and I seem to be the only one that Sun claimed, so take that as you will.

[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.

[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.