So, my heatpump can sense and control its environment (temperature) and appears to be trying to communicate with me through beeps and the remote control. — Roy Davies
I can have no notion what that entity is actually thinking, and indeed whether it only appears sentient, but is not. — Roy Davies
Ah yes. I agree the title is a little odd. The reason for prompting the discussion is part of a larger idea that interests me about human's relationship with technology as this technology becomes more 'human' and natural in their interactions with people. People will fall in love with digital characters (already are, I think). — Roy Davies
They will, and do, but we have enough problem now with people being influenced by technology - this will make it even more complicated. — Roy Davies
I'm curious about the nature of sentience. As I understand it, a sentient entity exhibits what I can recognise as sentience, based on the only model I can really know - myself. So, my heatpump can sense and control its environment (temperature) and appears to be trying to communicate with me through beeps and the remote control. I admit this is not much like me, but I can see some basic similarities. If I delve into its innards, it looks rather complex, so as far as I can tell, there could be something in there that is complex enough to harbour a 'mind'. What am I missing here? — Roy Davies
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