[BIO] Further development of a society with no qualms about (ab)using bioroids

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Did you see how I didn't suggest that they were different?

No I didn't. If they aren't different, then what are we even arguing about?

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

No I didn't. If they aren't different, then what are we even arguing about?

I was arguing that humans could and did use slavery without needing any rationalizations for doing so.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

I was arguing that humans could and did use slavery without needing any rationalizations for doing so.

'Round and 'round she goes. I think "not my tribe, so it's ok" is a species of excuse. You don't. I don't think this is going anywhere.

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Yeah, it certainly might end up being so scary that I'll never add the option to any settings I GM. Then again, if could be no worse than historical humanity.

Oh, right.

I wasn't peeing on your idea. It's a good idea, if you can make it work to your satifisfaction and that of your players.

I suspect you and I differ very strongly about whether humans should create bioroids, uplift animals, etc. I suspect we do agree pretty closely on how such new sapient beings would need to be treated, however.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Oh, right.

I wasn't peeing on your idea. It's a good idea, if you can make it work to your satifisfaction and that of your players.

I suspect you and I differ very strongly about whether humans should create bioroids, uplift animals, etc. I suspect we do agree pretty closely on how such new sapient beings would need to be treated, however.

Do note that I do not advocate abusing bioroids IRL. I'm for consistently protecting the rights of all sophonts, regadless of origin. And for me, dolphins are maybe sophonts.

But as you probably know, I like exploring various ideas, even though I only pick maybe 20% of them for actual gaming.

[David Johnston2]

Of course there's the toned-down version, the one that has a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Bioroids, and laws mandating that once a bioroid has paid off its manufacture and whatever the government thinks their cost of upkeep should be over the term they've spent indentured, they get manumitted.

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Of course there's the toned-down version, the one that has a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Bioroids, and laws mandating that once a bioroid has paid off its manufacture and whatever the government thinks their cost of upkeep should be over the term they've spent indentured, they get manumitted.

A little better than slavery, but still morally wrong. A bioroid ought to be treated as a child- not an indentured servant- until it reaches maturity/learns enough to get on well by itself.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by combatmedic

A little better than slavery, but still morally wrong. .

Why do people keep bringing morality into it?

[panton41]

I can think of several very rational reason why an Ultra Tech society might choose bioroids as opposed to some kind of mechanical/computerized alternative. All of these assume biotechnology advances to the point that bioroids are viable.

Cheap energy sources drying up or not having existed. If fossil fuels dry up without a viable replacement. Coal and oil replaced manpower, with those energy sources gone muscle power suddenly makes more sense. Dwindling resources in general work well, too.

"Fear of the bot" - like Dune or a possible aftermath, Reign of Steel, Terminator or Matrix. If computers go out of control then biological replacements for machines might be better accepted. So the tireless computerized assistant becomes a bioroid.

Simple economics - Assuming a far future "worker's utopia" where human workers have benefits that could only be dreamed of today, then the garbage men, slaughterhouse workers, busboys, etc. are non-humans with little to no rights.

Simple racism - Nothing is more human than the "us vs. them" mentality. Humans are strongly xenophobic, which extending into our religious beliefs. A bioroid that looks inhuman that the religious powers-that-be have declared "soulless" suddenly becomes a de facto target for poor treatment.



I enjoy writing stories in this kind of setting, generally with bioroids being anthropomorphic animals, and tend to settle on #1 and #4 in varying amounts, with things improving over time for bioroids. Bioroids are created for the simple hell of it, but the lack of resources means it's cheaper and more socially acceptable to let "dem godless animals" do it. Eventually social movements lead to reforms that give the bioroids rights, but over the course of hundreds of years. (And, eventually, the setting in my signature results.)

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Why do people keep bringing morality into it?

Um, because we aren't sociopaths?

Mind you, I'm not suggesting that immoral acts make for bad gaming. Not at all! Murder, slavery, etc often make for great gaming.