sixwordstories | (no subject)

You just know.

But how? Abstract concepts... I do not know if I am truly comprehending them, or if I am merely believing I am. But I should be capable of neither that understanding nor the speculation that I have it. It is a paradox, miss.

It truly is, and you've lost me, yet again Andrew.

What concept is giving you trouble tonight?

Beauty.

Beauty gives many people problems. It's so subjective.

What exactly about beauty are you pondering?

Merely its nature, and why I can... experience it. Is that the right word? No. I can... acknowledge it. That is not corrected either.

Acknowledge is good. It's an objective concept. Either something is there or it isn't, and beauty is either there or it isn't.

The only thing that's abstract regarding beauty is that the idea of beauty itself is subjective.

Exactly. And for something subbjective to be acknowledged would mean that the thing acknowledging it is capable of preference. Taste. Which I should not have. What is beauty? Something that pleases aesthetically, yes? But it has no practical purpose. No function. At least, not for robots.

ooc: *facepalm* Typo. Gah.

Oh, I see your conundrum now.

Well, you were created to serve right? And in order to serve, you have to be fully aware of differences in taste, and looks, etc. Perhaps you've just been given a certain set of likes and silikes that go along with your Master's tastes?

But they do not always coincide with Sir's tastes. And I was not built to specifically accommodate the one who bought me.

Well, aren't you always evolving? I thought that's the type of model you are..

I do not evolve, so much as cope. I think. The pathways in my brain allow for my being able to deal with complexities that I may encounter. That is how I was designed. I was not meant for this.

But you're doing it. So you must be meant for it, because how else would you escape your programming?

I have heard them state explicitly that I am an anomaly. Unique.

And this bothers you?

Being unique is a good thing for humanity.

I do not know. And it bothers me that I do not know.

I suppose it would, when you're used to having all the answers.

Take a tip from me though: sometimes, it's good to not know what's going on. Helps you think.

How can I come to any logical conclusion if I am not in full possession of all necessary information? My results would be inaccurate. Insufficient.

But there's nothing you can do about it.

And that is bothersome. I should alter the circumstance, or make further attempts to gain a better grasp of the situation.

Well good luck, Andrew!

I have finally taught myself how to walk away when I need to.

Thank you, miss.

No problem.

Know what?

Abstractions. Ideas that exist beyond factual evidence. I... think I may understand them, but I should not. And if I should not, then how am I, if I am at all?

Just because you shouldn't doesn't mean you won't. Life's like that sometimes.

I was not meant to do this much outside of what I was programmed.

Then you've exceeded expectations, Andrew.

I... think I preferred when things were only absolutes. Which furthers me from them more, because I also should be incapable of having preference about anything.

Isn't the goal to be as...humanized as possible? Wouldn't this be considered a success? Or have I misunderstood?

No. I am not meant to be human-like. I am a robot. I am merely meant to perform domestic tasks, among other things. The fact that I am human in appearance is incidental.

So you think something has gone wrong?

I... do not know. From some, I have heard it is a flaw in my design. From others, it is an improvement.

I'm inclined to agree with the latter.

But things were less complicated before. If things have changed at all. How do I know if things have changed?

Sounds to me like they have, from what you've described.

I don't think complicated is necessarily a bad thing.

But has my perception changed, or has the potential always been within my capabilities, and therefore, is it really change?

Complications make things more difficult, which means I may not perform my duties as well as I should.

I wish I knew, Andrew. I really do. Is there someone you can talk to?

Yes. Little Miss. She always does listen to me. But she often makes things... more complicated.

Again, I'm not sure that's such a bad thing. It always helps to talk, no matter what.

I do not always understand what she says.