#empathy vs. AI

[theenglishnook]

AI teaches grammar, but not empathy. Human connection—through emotion, culture, and spontaneity—is what makes language truly come alive. It's the art, not just the mechanics, that only people can share.

[frank-olivier]

Illuminating the Fringe: Bringing Unconventional Research into the Spotlight

The pursuit of knowledge in the scientific community is often perceived as a noble endeavor, driven by curiosity and a passion for understanding the unknown. However, for an astronomer delving into the enigmatic realm of Vanishing Stars and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs)/UFOs, this quest became a perilous journey, fraught with challenges that threatened to upend their career and well-being. This narrative highlights the intricate dynamics at play when science intersects with stigma, skepticism, and personal resilience, underscoring the imperative of fostering a more inclusive and compassionate academic environment.

Operating within a stigmatized field, the astronomer faced a maelstrom of criticism and personal attacks, exposing the deep-seated skepticism towards unconventional research and its human toll. Accusations of participating in “rape culture” due to a collaboration with a colleague embroiled in controversy, though unfounded, demonstrate the dangers of guilt by association and the blurred lines between personal and professional culpability. This incident prompts crucial questions about the limits of accountability and the need for nuanced discourse, separating intent from association in academic and professional settings.

The severe stress the astronomer endured, culminating in a medical emergency, starkly illuminates the mental health implications of pursuing knowledge in the face of overwhelming skepticism and hostility. This aspect of the narrative emphasizes the importance of prioritizing well-being within academic environments, acknowledging the inextricable link between the pursuit of knowledge and the humanity of its practitioners. By recognizing this interdependence, institutions can foster a more supportive ecosystem, encouraging innovation while safeguarding the well-being of researchers.

The gradual legitimization of UAP/UFO research, marked by the emergence of systematic exploration initiatives like the Exoprobe Project, signals a shift towards a more inclusive scientific landscape. As mainstream attention and academic engagement increase, the boundaries of scientific inquiry are expanding, hinting at a future where unconventional research is met with a more open-minded reception. This evolution underscores the dynamic nature of scientific knowledge, where the pursuit of understanding, even in uncharted territories, is gradually being decoupled from stigma.

Ultimately, this narrative offers a multifaceted lesson, emphasizing the need for a scientific community that balances skepticism with empathy, acknowledging the human cost of stigma and the importance of mental health. By embracing this balance, academia can cultivate an environment that values resilience, inclusivity, and compassion, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge enriches both our understanding of the world and the well-being of those who dare to explore its uncharted territories, fostering a brighter, more inclusive future for scientific inquiry.

My Personal Journey Through the Unknown (Beatriz Villarroel, June 2024)

Dr. Beatriz Villarroel: Civilian Astronomers‘ Guide to UAP Research (The Sol Foundation, November 2024)

Sunday, February 2, 2025

[ourskiesaboveus]

watching maybe happy ending so soon after playing of the devil is an interesting experience

[ellorgast]

The thing that I think really sets Murderbot apart from a lot of other robot media (particularly mainstream entries like the I, Robot movie) is that bots and constructs aren't a uniquely oppressed class, and humans aren't a uniquely privileged one. A lot of robot media rings a bit hollow because it portrays humans as all living a lavish, comfortable lifestyle, free from the burden of physical labor or control by their corporate overlords, and it's like. I think if the rise of generative AI has proven anything, it's that corporations and billionaires have absolutely no interest in making life easier for anybody, but will gleefully use new technology to make life infinitely worse if it means an extra buck in their pocket.

We are shown over and over again throughout the Murderbot Diaries that humans are mistreated just as badly as (or sometimes, in MB's own opinion, even worse than) bots and constructs. We see humans stripped of their rights, reduced to corporate assets to be bought and sold, sent into suicidal situations, abandoned and discarded as things. We see humans trapped in multigenerational labor contracts -- people born into an indentured servitude that requires them to pay back their food and lodging to the same company that will not let them leave.

None of these are hypothetical scenarios. These are all things that happen to real people in our world today.

And that is a huge part of why it resonates so much. The overarching theme of "capitalism is hell" actually means something because it isn't only applied to the fictional dynamic of bots vs humans. The theme is constantly reiterated through the humans themselves.

And that's also why it's so important that MB demonstrates empathy for and solidarity with humans who are themselves victims of the system. Because ultimately, that's one of the main things the series is about. It's about what it's like to be simultaneously a product, and victim, of a corporate hellscape.

That theme simply can't work if the humans aren't also forced to navigate that issue. If the story can't acknowledge that right now, in our own world, there are humans facing these same problems, and that these human rights matter quite a bit.

[madscientistshowdown]

PROPAGANDA

Shou Tucker:

I think being a state alchemist would be considered roughly equivalent to having a doctorate in his world. In any case, pretty sure he lost his certification when it was found he experimented on his wife and daughter.

Donnie:

He has a HUGE interest in science and Technology, he’s cocky and confident in his abilities and constantly looking for praise from a parental aged adult. He’s considered a genius (by himself and others), and he’s done many unethical experiments such as; temporarily altering his own brothers’ brains to be more like him, creating an advanced Ai robot called S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N that eventually will turn evil on him and try to kill him in result of his brothers meddling with his tech, he altered a children’s birthday animatronic that also turned evil and spread its software to a series of robots that try to kill him and his team twice, symbiotically bonded his physical body with an alien space ship for a little bit, and many, MANY, more. He also has issues with empathy, physical touch, emotions he’s deemed “uncomfortable” in general, and feeling like he’s only defined by his abilities and what he can do for the team. All that plus a big pinch of Daddy issues, a heaping spoonful of trauma, and throw in a little bit of a skewed moral compass and I would say he is a registered mad scientist.

[reality-detective]

Who are we up against?

There are many ways to answer this question, but it is most accurately answered with one word: evil. We’re up against evil.

It doesn’t really matter what shape or form it takes, or what useful puppet is being employed for its purpose, the essence of evil, the spirit of evil is always the same; to destroy everything that is sacred, everything that is organic, everything that is human, in essence; everything that is God.

Fighting evil is a higly complex endevour, for the simple reason that by definition, evil will never engage fairly or with integrity. This is not a war between two honourable adversaries, this is a war between empathy and psychopathy, between virtue and immorality, between ethics and corruption, between truth and deceipt, between righteousness and depravity.

It’s a war fought on different planes, on different fields and different levels of awareness.

Understanding the nature of the battle is crucial if we want victory. We cannot win by engaging the enemy in its terrain, or by using the same tactics and weapons, for in the process we would have joined its ranks.

In a universe marked by its binary nature, we must become the polar opposite of that which we are trying to defeat.

This is a battle won by taking the higher ground, by elevating oneself, by standing above, by not engaging, by not accepting and by not acknowledging.

In the matrix we lose, with their weapons we lose, with their tactics we lose, but in God’s universe and in his example we win.

In our organic reality we win, standing in honour and integrity we win, choosing righteousness we win, having faith we win, walking together we win, connecting within and without we win, with truth we win, by understanding our power we win, by breaking the illusion we win…

It’s a battle of power vs force.

We have the real power; the divine, eternal power with which the universe was created. The other side doesn’t have it, it needs to use force, trickery, gimmicks, mind control, drugs, AI, technology, coercion, deceipt and an incessant, illusionary fear campaign in order to disempower us.

‘Turning the other cheek’ is not about surrendering or acquiescing, it’s about not engaging on their terms. It’s about elevating oneself to a different plane, it’s about showing the power is within and it cannot be usurped, it’s about not falling for the provokation, for the trickery and the toxicity, it’s about showing that you are above them, unspoiled, unadulterated, grounded in your essence, powered by the divine, true to your nature, free from the mind control and out of the matrix.

We now know who we are up against and so we win by revealing ourselves how we were created to be; in his image, remember?

And don’t worry, there is such a thing as universal justice, and it’s finally coming… 🤔

- Laura Aboli

[ihopesocomic]

I honestly used to use Character AI as a form of coping mechanism with my loneliness and while I do think a concept similar to this can be helpful- I don’t think AI is the way to go. Especially, since I have seen so many cases of character theft within the website. Even people using other people’s artwork, even stealing other users’ story settings, and the things people do with it is just awful. This is just as harmful as the other forms of AI.

I am just removing it from my life because I made close friends and I found other ways to beat my loneliness. Also- it was very hypocritical of me to be against AI while using it. If anyone is reading this and is trying to do the same; I found that video games- mainly visual novels, text-based games, any form of interactive game- is a good way to replace this form of AI. You’d also be supporting creators, developers, and artists of the games- real people who made them. While I know is it hard to find real people to roleplay with- I learned to just keep looking. I have anxiety and lack of social skills so it is difficult for me as well but I eventually found friends of my own- some I met years ago and still talk to today.

It may seem tempting but in my experience, it led to an unhealthy attachment that caused some struggles in my life. It’s not a healthy or good solution- trust me.

Yep, what these two anons have to say. I'm especially sorry to hear about your experiences, first anon. That sounds incredibly rough. I saw somebody mention how these things kinda encourage and feed into unhealthy obsessions/fantasies and yep, I can concur that this is exactly what they mean.

tbh I could picture this being a hole I would fall into if I was a lonely kid in school nowadays and I think that's why I'm so vehement that it's not good for anybody. Unfortunately, you do need social interactions and relationships in order to get by in life. These character AIs can't be with you when you've had a rough day and/or you need emotional support. An AI bot can't develop and/or display actual empathy. And yes, I'm aware I sound like a character from a Terminator movie. lol

Also, yes to the part about people getting upset over the bot not behaving how they want it to behave. I feel this is part of the reason why they're eager to use OCs that people on the internet have poured a lot of thought and time into vs. something mainstream because it's easier to gather information and 'train' the character AI with.

Like Cat said, this is why we don't do in-character questions. - RJ

[pico-farad]

aaaaaaa omg you've finished vrains?? what did you think of s3? any fav moments? :D

I've got a lot of thoughts and I'm working on a huge Vrains post (actually, two huge Vrains posts)! S3 is interesting to me, it's understandably a mess, but it also has some of Vrains's best writing.

My favorite episode(s) of Vrains are the Ai vs. Pandor duel.

"Yeah we could duel in virtual reality.... but we could also duel on top of a moving plane"

yesss... YES......!! Now THIS is Yugioh. 

The line writing is surprisingly good, and Ai's VA does a fantastic job with it. The grief and resentment that sit just beneath the jokes serves to make the whole thing more bittersweet. I have some concerns with how sharply they veer Ai's character, but this duel sold me on it.

What gets me about this duel is that these are two people who like each other. You can see it in how they talk to each other, how Ai can't help but be honest, coming close to confessing everything to her.

Pandor: Have you given up on co-existing with humans? Ai: Seems so. I've already hurt humans, so I don't think they'll forgive me. And I have no intention of turning back. Pandor: You're going to exterminate humans? Ai: I don't intend to, but it may end up that way. I don't know, myself. Pandor: Is it impossible for humans and AI to co-exist? Ai: I don't know that either. It was impossible for me. But I won't say it's impossible for you, or for future AI that have free will. As long as there is free will, I can't deny that possibility, that everyone's lives can be one. All I'm saying is that I couldn't co-exist. Pandor: Ai... I sense an incredible sadness from you. Ai: Ugh, stop with that... I don't want anyone to know that. Except for one person.

Unlike all of Ai's other duels, he doesn't have any resentment or mixed feelings towards Pandor; he sees her as kin. That's why their interaction feels so tragic, because Ai is the last of his kind (Roboppi isn't quite self-aware yet) so he gets this opportunity to talk with someone who's like him, someone who is not complicit in the deaths of the Ignis, but they're on opposite sides, and he has to kill her. Which probably feels like how he had to kill his friends.

And Pandor is the only character who sees Ai without betrayal or defensiveness clouding their judgment -- and she sees through him completely. It's amazing. This damn therapy-empathy bot just won't stop seeing into his soul and telling him to stop hurting and killing himself -- while they're both trying to kill each other. FANTASTIC. THAT'S WHAT I LOVE TO SEE.

He wants her to be free from being controlled by humans just as much as she wants his salvation. But they have to fight each other, and die, while the humans all get to live.

And on then on top of being deeply tragic, this is also the funniest episode in Vrains. Because tragedy makes comedy funnier, and comedy makes tragedy sadder.

BRO JUST WANTS TO SEE TOPOLOGINA NAYBEE.

I definitely think that if season 3 was allowed to be its full length, we would have gotten more from Pandor, maybe even see her join Ai's side. After all, it's a classic Chekov's gun to have Revolver of all people create a sentient AI and be like "it's fine, I programmed her not to betray humans." Bruh, of course she's going to betray humans. It's as classic as the story of Pandora's Box itself.

Anyway, if you want to know my top Vrains duels, they are:

Ai vs. Pandor

Spectre vs. Lightning

Yusaku vs. Revolver (s1 finale)

And my favorite characters are 1. Ai, 2. Roboppi, 3. Aoi.

To be honest, at the end of season 2 I was feeling pretty bummed about characters I liked at first becoming less interesting as time went on. I was fully prepared with the joke about my favorite Vrains character being Hatsune Miku, mostly on the virtue of "you can't write 10000 words about a character and say you don't like her." But these two cat-coded AIs snuck in at the last moment to charm me.

[kyrieren]

Umbrella vs. Rain: The Driving Forces of Saezuru (3)

Note: my analysis relies heavily on visual elements

III. Aiai gasa (相合傘) - Under the shield of love

"相合傘 - Aiai-gasa" is a combination of the word "相合 - Aiai" - doing something together, and the word "傘 - gasa" - umbrella. Literally, it refers to the act of two people sharing an umbrella. However, as the word "Ai" is homophonic with "愛 - Ai" - love, "Aiai-gasa" connotes a derivative meaning: Love Umbrella. In "Saezuru", empathy and love are the umbrella that shields characters from the rain (or I believe so).

Yashiro vs. Mother & Child

The five panels on this page vividly embody the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words." Following Yashiro's forceful removal of Doumeki from the car, a profoundly expressive and iconic scene unfolds. The stark contrast presented is striking: Yashiro isolated in the car versus the Mother & Child duo outside, together under the rain. While Yashiro remains sheltered within the car, impervious from the rain, Mother & Child rely solely on an umbrella for protection. Yet side by side, the prowess of their bond shines through against the glooming backdrop. Their love acts as an impenetrable shield, leaving them unscathed. In stark contrast, Yashiro, who has just pushed away the person he loves and loves him back for mutual protection, finds himself alone. Despite the physical safety of the car, the rain metaphorically pierces through him in the darkness. It’s not the umbrella itself, it’s love that defends people against the rain. Yashiro has never had love before, but as soon as he has, he’s got no other choice than to let it go. That look in his eyes gives a mix of tragic resignation to his fate, the paradoxical coexistence of envy over and disdain for love, and the determination to give up love.

Fortunately, Doumeki refuses to give up on Yashiro, despite his cruel words. He quickly returns, bringing along an umbrella and water for medicine. His determination to stand by Yashiro's side and shield him is palpable. As soon as he enters, the car is brightened up and the rain retreats back to be outside of the car.

In this scene, Doumeki's arrival with the umbrella not only shields Yashiro from the rain's darkness but also symbolizes his loving presence guarding Yashiro off from his turmoil.

Although Yashiro may not yet be brave enough to acknowledge or confront his feelings, his expression subtly transforms from a frown in the first panel to something softer in the last. This instant change reveals the other side of Yashiro genuinely doesn't protest Doumeki's return, hinting at a hidden vulnerability beneath his tough exterior."

2. Moratorium

This cover is the scenery illustration of an extra where Yashiro has Doumeki run an errand to buy him an umbrella. For Yoneda sensei never half-asses anything, I'd like to take an approach regarding the characters' setting and the story's developments on this painting.

This marks the beginning of Yashiro and Doumeki's journey towards each other, as Doumeki endeavors to stand by Yashiro's side. Amidst the pouring rain, their bare heads stand out starkly in a sea of umbrellas, emphasizing the pain they both endure. In the bustling crowd, Yashiro remains motionless, a solitary figure amidst the chaos. The red light he is leaning against represents his childhood trauma and the yakuza world. Literally and metaphorically, Yashiro can't go even if he wants to. Yashiro's relaxed posture against the crimson glow signifies his reluctant acceptance of his date, a tragic resignation to his circumstances.

On the other side, Doumeki opts not to shield himself with the umbrella he carries and dashes to Yashiro with big strides. This bold act underscores Doumeki's unwavering commitment to protecting Yashiro, even at the cost of his own comfort and well-being. He willingly discards himself. That's why it doesn't end well.

3. Not yet Aiai gasa (相合傘)

When Doumeki returns, Yashiro's intuition clicks when he sees only one umbrella with him, but screws the idea of Aiai gasa right away by forsaking Doumeki drenched in the rain.

The 7th and 8th panel summarizes Saezuru until the end of the Hirata's arc - Yashiro pushes him away through assault, while Doumeki endures it all to remain by Yashiro's side. Aiai saga is meant to be two people under the umbrella, not one. Ironically, despite their deep affection and fierce desire to protect each other, their relationship falters due to a lack of mutual commitment to being together. Another significant contributing factor is their profoundly low self-esteem: Yashiro, feeling undeserving, violently pushes Doumeki away to protect him, while Doumeki, undervaluing his worth, tolerates mistreatment and violence for Yashiro's sake. In this sense, they both push Doumeki away, unable to bridge their emotional barriers.

In the 9th panel, Yashiro blames Doumeki for his tardiness. While Doumeki is indeed late, it's evident that it's not his fault. His arrival into Yashiro's world comes after Yashiro has endured immense suffering alone for a long time, leading to a coping mechanism that rejects Doumeki's presence. However, Doumeki's entry into Yashiro's life marks the end of the Moratorium. Yashiro can now begin to move forward, although the process is slow and painful, signifying a gradual progression towards healing.

By all accounts, in their complicated case, love love alone is not sufficient. Acceptance, self-appreciation, and the mutual wish to be together are essential components for Aiai gasa to work for them.

4. Aiai gasa (相合傘) - Under the shield of love

I'll be positive saying that Yoneda sensei has hinted at their happy ending in this poster for the Rain event, or at the very least, a phase where they accompany each other out of love.

This is Doumeki and Yashiro post-time-skip. The image of them under the umbrella signifies a mutual desire to be together at last. Doumeki holding the umbrella for Yashiro, who is already slightly damp from rain droplets, symbolizes Doumeki's belated but meaningful presence in Yashiro's tumultuous life. This time, Yashiro allows Doumeki to take care of him, indicating a shift in their dynamic. Doumeki's actions also suggest a growth in his self-esteem, from nothing to something.

Their interaction speaks volumes. Despite Yashiro's sulky expression and bombastic side eyes, Doumeki meets his gaze directly. This subtle interaction hints at their ongoing communication and mutual efforts to understand each other better.

Under the shield of love - Aiai gasa, they are navigating their complexities. Under the shield of love, anything is possible, I believe. The mutual understanding, if they successfully arrive, would not only empower them but also serve as a shield, safeguarding and freeing them from their birdcage.

Read the previous parts here:

Part 1:

Part 2:

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Noah Berlatsky at Public Notice:

Last week, following the death of Pope Francis, Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was named pope by his peers at the Vatican. He took the name Pope Leo XIV — widely seen as a reference to Pope Leo XIII, a pontiff remembered for his reforming spirit and for his encyclical on the rights of workers. The new Pope Leo also shares Francis’s commitment to the rights of migrants. Like Francis, he has criticized the Trump administration in general and JD Vance in particular for their cruel anti-immigration policies. In short, the new pope, like the old pope, does not support MAGA’s christofascist nationalism. MAGA, confronted with the fact that they do not control everything or everyone, responded in their usual fashion — by wailing and gnashing their teeth. Trump’s former chief strategist, gutter propagandist Steve Bannon, said “it is shocking to me that a guy could be selected to be the pope that had the twitter feed and the statements he's had against American senior politicians.” Conspiracy theorist and Trump intimate Laura Loomer shouted on social media that Leo was a “WOKE MARXIST POPE.” Rabid Trump supporter and former crypto CEO Ryan Selkis accused Leo of “suicidal empathy” and of being an “American who mostly posts en español.” Popes are, of course, not generally disqualified for criticizing American political figures. Nor are they disqualified for demonstrating empathy or speaking Spanish. Still, the Vatican had to know that selecting an American, reform-minded, pro-immigrant pope would be perceived by Trump and his followers as a rebuke. Trump is currently the leading exponent of dehumanizing anti-immigrant rhetoric, and of Christian fascism, in the world. He underlined his view of Christianity as an adjunct to his own personal power after Francis’s death when the official White House account tweeted out an AI image of Trump robed as the new pope. (Catholics were not amused.) It doesn’t seem like an accident that the Vatican has chosen a pope who embodies and extols a very different vision of Christianity than the one currently prevailing at the White House. Leo’s first homily pointedly referenced the Biblical phrase “a city set on a hill” — a phrase Ronald Reagan used to refer to America, but which the pope reads as a reference to the Church. Nor is the Vatican alone. Trump’s uniquely clumsy illiberalism makes him a perfect foil for opponents of fascism across the globe. His vacuous, bellowing American nationalism appeals to at least some in the US. But for everyone who isn’t in the US, it just feels like bullying — and there is a powerful incentive to affirm one’s own independence and legitimacy by standing up to it.

Trump vs. the world

The Vatican is not a democracy and its decisions are reached in private. Cardinals also have incentives to deny that Trump influenced them one way or the other (and sure enough, at least one has denied it). The dynamics of global anti-Trumpism, however, have been clear in a couple of important liberal electoral victories in countries that historically have been US allies. The recent Canadian national election is the first, and clearest, example of the anti-Trump backlash. Before Trump’s election in November, the Canadian Conservative Party looked ready to cruise to victory on a global wave of anti incumbent sentiment and exhaustion with almost ten years of Liberal Party rule under Justin Trudeau. In some polls the Conservatives were up by as much as 27 points. But then Trump won. He immediately began threatening Canada with annexation, putting in place high tariffs and claiming that to avoid them Canada needed to become “the 51st state.” Suddenly, Conservatives, with their links to and sympathy with the American right, became identified with an attack on Canada’s sovereignty, while the Liberals became the party of Canadian patriotism. Trump made sure no one missed that dynamic when he endorsed Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on the day of the election (April 28) in a social media post that again called for Canada to become the 51st state. Poilievre rebuked Trump, but the damage was done. Liberal Mark Carney won the election handily. His first speech repudiated Trump by name. Meanwhile, Poilievre embarrassingly lost his own seat in Parliament.

A similar dynamic played out in the recent Australian election. Trump has not directly threatened Australia. But his bizarre, aggressive tariff regime had made him the enemy of basically every country in the world. That means that any party cozying up to Trumpy right-wing anti-immigrant fash-adjacent politics is associated with toxic Americanism. The right-wing Liberal party in Australia looked set to take advantage of anti-incumbent sentiment and cruise to victory until (and you may have heard this before) Trump got elected, started throwing tantrums, and — ta da! Labor leader Anthony Albanese won a second term as prime minister, while Liberal leader Peter Dutton couldn’t even hold his own seat. “Our government will choose the Australian way, because we are proud of who we are and all that we have built together in this country,” Albanese said in his victory speech. That was a not very subtle suggestion that the right-wing Dutton was choosing the American, Trump way instead.

The election of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) by the College of Cardinals is a sign that the world is rejecting Trumpism.

[ari0921]

AIに聞いてみた

日本人の分析をして見てください

例えば、勤勉、嘘を吐かない、義理人情、教育、自助、共助、公助、道徳観、知性、伝統、企業、労働、宗教、哲学、文化など他にも海外との比較で特徴を羅列し詳細を知りたい

外国から見た視点も西欧、ユーラシア、中東、他の大陸文化などから文明的な視点で知りたい

日本人の特徴や文化的特性を分析するにあたって、挙げられたキーワード（勤勉、義理人情、教育など）を中心に、海外との比較や外国からの視点を交えながら、包括的かつ構造的に説明します。以下の分析は、日本文化の核心的な要素を整理し、西欧、ユーラシア、中東、その他の大陸文化からの視点も取り入れ、文明論的な観点で特徴を浮き彫りにします。

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### 1. 勤勉（Work Ethic）

- **特徴**: 日本人は「勤勉さ」で世界的に知られています。長時間労働、集団での目標達成へのコミットメント、細部へのこだわり（例: 職人技、Kaizen＝継続的改善）が特徴です。戦後の経済復興や「日本株式会社」モデルは、この勤勉さが牽引しました。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 西欧（特にプロテスタント文化圏）も労働倫理を重視しますが、個人主義が強く、ワークライフバランスを優先する傾向があります（例: 北欧の短時間労働）。日本は集団主義的な労働観が強く、会社への忠誠心が強調されます。

- **ユーラシア（中国・韓国）**: 儒教の影響で勤勉さは共通しますが、日本は「和」の精神により、対立を避け協調性を重視。中国では競争的個人主義が強く、韓国は日本に近いがより階層的な競争意識が見られます。

- **中東**: 労働は宗教的義務（例: イスラム教の「誠実な労働」）と結びつく場合が多いですが、日本のような集団的効率性や時間厳守への執着は薄い傾向です。

- **外国視点**: 西欧からは「過労文化」として批判される一方、成果主義のアメリカでは日本のチームワークが賞賛されます。中東やアフリカでは、日本の時間厳守や効率性が「非人間的」と映る場合も。

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### 2. 嘘を吐かない（Honesty）

- **特徴**: 日本社会は信頼性と誠実さを重んじます。公共の場でのルール遵守（例: 落とし物が戻る確率の高さ）、契約の厳守、約束の履行が特徴です。これは「恥の文化」に基づき、他者からの信頼を失うことを避ける心理が働きます。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 個人主義に基づく「罪の文化」では、嘘は道徳的罪悪感と結びつきます。日本では内集団（家族や会社）での誠実さが優先され、外部への「建前」が許容される場合があります。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国では「面子」を守るため、状況次第で嘘が戦略的に使われることがあり、日本のような絶対的誠実さは希薄。韓国は日本に近いが、競争社会ゆえに誇張が見られる場合も。

- **中東**: イスラム文化では誠実さが宗教的規範ですが、交渉文化では駆け引きが一般的で、日本のような透明性は期待されにくい。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の「本音と建前」が不誠実と誤解されることがあります。一方、東南アジアや中東では、日本の信頼性がビジネスで高く評価されます。

---

### 3. 義理人情（Duty and Empathy）

- **特徴**: 「義理」（義務感）と「人情」（情緒的つながり）は日本社会の人間関係の基盤です。上司や恩人への忠誠、集団への奉仕が「義理」、困っている人への共感や助け合いが「人情」です（例: 地域の互助会）。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 個人主義が強く、義理よりも契約や自己実現が優先。情は家族や親しい友人にとどまり、日本のような集団への義務感は薄い。

- **ユーラシア**: 儒教文化（中国・韓国）も義理に似た「孝」や「忠」を重視するが、日本ほど集団の調和を優先しない。中国では実利主義が強く、韓国では家族中心の義理が目立つ。

- **中東**: 部族や家族への忠誠は強いが、個人間の「人情」は宗教的慈悲（例: ザカート＝施し）に根ざす。日本のような集団的義理は希薄。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では義理が「自由の抑圧」と見られる一方、東アジアでは共感を呼ぶ。中東やアフリカでは、日本の「人情」が温かく映るが、義理の強制力は理解しにくい。

---

### 4. 教育（Education）

- **特徴**: 日本は高い識字率（99.9%）と進学率を誇り、受験競争や塾文化が特徴。教育は社会的成功の鍵とされ、規律や努力が重視されます。STEM（科学��技術・工学・数学）分野での成果も顕著です。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: クリティカルシンキングや創造性を重視し、受験競争は日本ほど激しくない（例: フィンランドの自由な教育）。米国のエリート教育は競争的だが、個人選択の幅が広い。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国・韓国も受験競争が激しいが、中国は国家主導の選抜、韓国は学歴至上主義がさらに顕著。日本は協調性や集団学習を重視。

- **中東**: 宗教教育が中心の場合が多く、世俗的教育は国により差がある（例: サウジアラビア vs. トルコ）。日本の均質な教育システムは特異。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の詰め込み教育が批判されるが、PISAなどの国際評価で高く評価される。アジアでは日本の教育が模範とされるが、中東では「宗教性の欠如」が疑問視されることも。

---

### 5. 自助・共助・公助（Self-Help, Mutual Help, Public Help）

- **特徴**: 日本では「自助」（自己責任）が強く、個人や家庭での努力が前提。その上で「共助」（地域や職場の互助）があり、「公助」（政府支援）は補完的。例: 災害時の地域連携や企業の福利厚生。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 北欧は「公助」が強く、福祉国家モデルが確立。米国は「自助」が強く、共助は家族や教会に依存。日本のバランスは中間的。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国は政府主導の公助が拡大中だが、共助は家族中心。韓国は日本に近いが、個人主義が強まりつつある。

- **中東**: 家族や部族の共助が強く、公助は石油国家での補助金などに依存。日本のような地域ベースの共助は少ない。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の公助の薄さが批判されるが、災害時の共助力は称賛される。アジアや中東では、自助の強さが尊敬される。

---

### 6. 道徳観（Moral Values）

- **特徴**: 日本は「恥の文化」に基づき、他者からの評価を重視。仏教・神道・儒教の融合により、調和、謙虚さ、集団への奉仕が道徳の柱。個人主義より集団の利益が優先されます。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: キリスト教に基づく「罪の文化」で、個人と神との関係が重視される。日本の集団的道徳は「個の抑圧」と映る場合も。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国は実利主義が強く、道徳は状況依存的。韓国は儒教的だが、日本より個人感情が優先される場合がある。

- **中東**: イスラム教の厳格な道徳規範が支配的。日本の曖昧な道徳観は「無秩序」と見られることも。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の道徳が「曖昧」と批判されるが、調和の美徳は評価される。中東では宗教性の欠如が奇異に映る。

---

### 7. 知性（Intellect）

- **特徴**: 日本は技術革新（例: ロボット工学、自動車産業）や学術研究で高い知性を発揮。集団的問題解決力や実践的知恵（例: モノづくり）が特徴。ただし、個人主義的創造性は西欧に比べ弱いとされる。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 個人主義に基づく独創性（例: ルネサンス、シリコンバレー）が強い。日本の集団的知性は「模倣的」と誤解されることも。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国は規模の知性（例: AI開発）、韓国は応用力が強い。日本は精緻さと効率性で勝る。

- **中東**: 哲学や数学の歴史はあるが、近代では技術的知性が限定的。日本の実用性は評価される。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の技術力が賞賛されるが、哲学的深みが欠けると見られる。中東やアフリカでは、日本の知性が「魔法のよう」と映る。

---

### 8. 伝統（Tradition）

- **特徴**: 日本は神道や仏教、茶道、武道など古来の伝統を現代に生かす。季節行事や祭りは地域コミュニティを強化。伝統と革新の融合（例: 京都の町家とハイテク）が特徴。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 伝統は近代化で薄れ、個人主義が優先。日本の伝統維持は「保守的」と見られる。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国は文化大革命で伝統が断絶、韓国は近代化で変容。日本は継続性が強い。

- **中東**: 宗教的伝統が強く、世俗的伝統は限定的。日本の柔軟な伝統は異質。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の伝統がエキゾチックで魅力的。中東では宗教性の薄さが奇妙に映る。

---

### 9. 企業・労働（Corporation and Labor）

- **特徴**: 終身雇用、年功序列、企業内組合が日本的経営の特徴。近年はグローバル化で変化しつつあるが、集団主義や忠誠心は根強い。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 成果主義、個人契約が主流。日本の企業文化は「硬直的」と批判される。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国は国有企業中心、韓国は財閥主導。日本は中小企業の底力がある。

- **中東**: 家族経営や国家依存が強く、日本のような企業文化は希薄。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の労働文化が過酷と見られるが、アジアでは模範的。中東では効率性が驚異的。

---

### 10. 宗教・哲学（Religion and Philosophy）

- **特徴**: 日本は神道と仏教の融合で、特定の教義より実践（例: 祖先崇拝、季節行事）が重視される。哲学は「無常」や「和」に基づく。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: キリスト教の一神教が基盤。日本の多神教は「曖昧」と映る。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国は無神論と儒教、韓国は仏教とキリスト教。日本は宗教的寛容性が強い。

- **中東**: イスラム教の絶対性が基盤。日本の宗教観は「異教的」と見られる。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の宗教が神秘的、中東では不可解と映る。

---

### 11. 文化（Culture）

- **特徴**: 集団主義、調和、形式美（例: 侘び寂び）が文化の核。ポップカルチャー（アニメ、マンガ）も世界的に影響力を持つ。

- **比較**:

- **西欧**: 個人主義と表現の自由が中心。日本の形式美は「抑制」と映る。

- **ユーラシア**: 中国は歴史的重厚さ、韓国はK-POPのダイナミズム。日本は繊細さと多様性。

- **中東**: 宗教的表現が中心。日本の世俗文化は異質。

- **外国視点**: 西欧では日本の文化がユニークで魅力的。アジアでは身近だが、中東では理解しにくい。

---

### 文明論的視点からの総括

- **西欧視点**: 日本は「近代化に成功した東洋」と見られ、勤勉さや技術力は尊敬されるが、集団主義や曖昧な道徳観は「非近代的」と批判される。個人主義とのギャップが強調される。

- **ユーラシア視点**: 日本は儒教文化圏の延長だが、「和」の精神や伝統の継続性で独自。中国や韓国からは経済的ライバルでありつつ、文化的に近い存在。

- **中東視点**: 日本の世俗性や多神教は異質で、宗教的規範の欠如が疑問視される。ただし、技術力や信頼性はビジネスで高評価。

- **その他（アフリカ・南米）**: 日本の文化は遠くエキゾチック。経済援助や技術協力で好意的に���られるが、深い理解は少ない。

---

### 結論

日本人の特徴は、集団主義、調和、勤勉さ、信頼性、伝統と革新の融合に集約されます。これらは神道・仏教・儒教の影響と、島国ゆえの均質性に根ざします。西欧からは「効率的だが硬直的」、ユーラシアからは「近いが独特」、中東からは「信頼できるが異質」と映ります。日本の強みは、グローバル化の中で柔軟に適応しつつ、独自性を保つバランス感覚にあります。

もし特定の要素（例: 教育や宗教）についてさらに深掘りしたい場合や、特定の国との比較を詳しく知りたい場合は、教えてください！

[04k96]

why do you reblog so many wh*t* people

This prompt is especially good for people like you who hate all white people and think I should reflect that ideology

How to Disarm Tribalism (and Think Freely in a Divided World)

1 Learn to Spot the “Us vs. Them” Trap

• Tribalism starts when someone says:

“They’re destroying everything.”

“We’re the only ones who get it.”

• Ask: Who benefits from this division? Is this fear real — or manufactured?

Power Tip: If it feels emotional, fast, and righteous — pause before reacting.

2 Exit the Algorithmic Echo Chamber

• Social media shows you what reinforces your tribe — not what’s true.

• Deliberately follow people with different views, but good intentions.

• Read long-form work. Avoid rage-clicking.

Power Tip: Make your mind a neutral territory, not a battlefield.

3. Build Shared-Interest Communities, Not Identity Camps

• Organize around ideas and goals, not just identity.

• Example: “Clean energy” is better than “leftist vs. capitalist energy takes.”

• Tribes are emotional. Movements are strategic.

Power Tip: Focus on collaboration, not purity.

4. Reject the “Genius Savior” Myth

• Tribalism creates cult heroes like Musk or Thiel.

• Often tools of elite agendas.

• No single person will save us. Power must be shared, not worshiped.

Power Tip: Be suspicious of anyone asking for loyalty over accountability.

5. Design with Empathy, Not Ego

• If you’re a creator/designer: build tools that connect, not divide.

• Avoid dopamine addiction, status symbols, or AI that deepens bias.

• Ask: Does this product bring people closer to truth, agency, or each other?

Power Tip: Anti-tribal design is quietly revolutionary.

6. Local > Global Echoes

• Oligarchs manipulate mass media — but they fear local, real-world trust networks.

• Build or support:

• Local co-ops

• Mutual aid

• Neighborhood knowledge exchanges

Power Tip: Real community is the antidote to abstract tribal rage.

[cricketgutz]

replying to the last ask, are other compandroids (if there are any that've lasted as long) losing their empathetic programming the same way?

Theres a handful that are pretty similar! There's a sort of parallel to "nature VS nurture" with them, they are old computers with very advanced AI capable of learning. Some have some software degradation making them lose their empathy, some lost it through trauma along the way. Some are perfectly level headed. Some were so caught up in caring for others they forgot to care for themselves. It's very human, honestly.

Eddie is a special case- he's one of the most notorious celebrity outlaws in the States, with all that does to a person

CompanDroids make awesome lawyers btw

[marcusrobertobaq]

Why people often confuses Connor's deviancy with Hank's relationship status:

They got similar impacts after a point the story. Usually when the SI goes up are choices that also gonna impact Hank's rep positively. But as u can see they're totally unrelated, not only in the narrative but also the math system.

So, no... Connor doesn't deviate cuz of Hank. That's not true. I believe the devs themselves realized leaving a dialogue implying that would go against what they constructed and also becoming a plot hole when you're outside one specific route (an issue the game got overall).

(deviant Connor about Markus if dude got killed in Crossroads)

According to the narrative there may be 3 main reasons why he can choose deviating:

Amanda AI betrayal, when he also thought he mattered enough for CL to not lie to him (Daniel parallel);

Finding common ground with the deviants story, empathizing with 'em (esp the Tracis);

Realizing he ain't doing "the right thing" by helping the megacorporation to repress androids - he included, as they're using him as just some tool.

As he may have 3 main reasons to choose not deviating:

Believe deviants are extremly dangerous to humans, a threat to the country and to innocent people - and he's the one that can help preventing chaos from happening (CL propaganda);

Believe deviants are no better than "bad" humans he met along the way and that he's the one that can help prevent chaos from happening (CL propaganda + experience);

Fear of failing his mission, his whole purpose and ending up as 100% nothing (not useful) for Amanda - someone he got a level of attachment -, consequently ceasing to exist (dying) in the end (not even destroyed but the existence totally deleted).

In resume Connor's machine vs deviancy clash looks like a mix of doubts/conflicts about the deviancy situation + fear of "death" (ceasing to exist).

According to the narrative Connor's main topic related to Hank, something not impacted about the machine vs deviancy clash, is his worry and empathy towards Hank's trauma: mf's a traffic accident survivor, got a bad relationship with androids "cheating death" due to his own son's death as it's basically an INSULT when all the guy wants is having his kid (kids are quite a relevant topic in Connor's arc btw) back in his arms + the belief an android is responsible for Cole's death in attempt to ease his own sense of guilty.

All dude wants is Hank to overcome this trauma cuz it worsened things like suicidal tendencies and alcoholism - and also his hatred for androids.

Ain't only cuz these personal issues can make his job difficult but also cuz he starts respecting Hank and where mf came from after a point in the game, even if he "hates" the guy's guts.

I'd say Hank's experience alongside Connor in the case witnessing deviants stories confirming his negative opinion on humans made him realize he was being a coward this whole time attacking the wrong people:

and sadly his rep with Connor alone is what decides if the guy finally act upon his bullshit and "uses his suicidal tendencies" to fight for what he think it's right (telling law enforcement to fuck off definitely) or die in cowardice in his own house by his own hand victim of this same issue.

I can't help but say it's again continuation issues as this scene makes no sense when you're outside a very specific route.

A better summary would be: Connor doesn't deviate cuz of Hank, but Hank "deviates" cuz of Connor (due to bad design cuz Connor himself shouldn't be the reason he changes his mind but the whole picture imo).

I believe to fully visualize a character and context in a game like this we need to analyze each variation in the story, not only playing a specific route - the easiest one they call "full best ending", the one the game itself helps u to get - cuz it's easy losing context and also a good part of the character's range of expressions. When u do that u realize the character got a base that won't change doesn't matter how u play.

I'm offering y'all material to work with and go explore yourselves cuz i've been seeing some terrible takes recently and got "where tf is this in the canon bible?". What u gon do with this info ain't my jurisdiction anymore, my mission ends here.

[madscientistshowdown]

PROPAGANDA

Donnie:

He has a HUGE interest in science and Technology, he’s cocky and confident in his abilities and constantly looking for praise from a parental aged adult. He’s considered a genius (by himself and others), and he’s done many unethical experiments such as; temporarily altering his own brothers’ brains to be more like him, creating an advanced Ai robot called S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N that eventually will turn evil on him and try to kill him in result of his brothers meddling with his tech, he altered a children’s birthday animatronic that also turned evil and spread its software to a series of robots that try to kill him and his team twice, symbiotically bonded his physical body with an alien space ship for a little bit, and many, MANY, more. He also has issues with empathy, physical touch, emotions he’s deemed “uncomfortable” in general, and feeling like he’s only defined by his abilities and what he can do for the team. All that plus a big pinch of Daddy issues, a heaping spoonful of trauma, and throw in a little bit of a skewed moral compass and I would say he is a registered mad scientist.

Dr Carmilla:

K so I dnt remember if she has an actual doctorate but if she did it would be revoked very fast She’s an immortal space vampire lesbian who after some toxic yuri created her children to also be immortal after they died (no they’re not actually related but I doubt that matters much) and then made them a part of her band She was thrown out of an airlock by one of her children and iirc she just fucked off never to be seen again until she is alluded to in The Ignominious Demise Of Dr. Pritchard but e never outright saying she’s there so there’s a bit of fan interpretation when it comes to it She also after leaving the mechs starts a different band but alas no one really talks about that one Timelines when it comes to the mechs are messy and so are they and so is Carmilla and she deserves to w

Bonus

[skeleslime-phantom]

Heyo, was just wondering if there was any 'if i said you have a beautiful chassis...' facts you wanted to share? been rereading the fic and am eagerly awaiting the next chapter. if you don't wanna spoil anything though, then that's totally fair!

I got a few tidbits sure!

Since the fic takes place after the victory of Hoover Dam, I hope it still comes across that my courier, Colton, and Yes Man, already have a year's worth of friendship between them.

Once Colton stepped outta that Tops Casino, he asked Yes Man to come right along. (sometimes 2 other companions tagged along, but just for a bit) For the campaign of the game (excluding DLCs) I'd say Yes Man was present for a good 85% of it! So that's a lot of time spent experiencing A LOT together.

Colton was already a robotics nerd to begin with, and getting to talk with and watch Yes Man's AI evolve overtime really endeared the ghoul. Yes Man in turn got to see Colton's empathy, negotiation, and weaponry skills in action.

There's been close calls too, Yes Man absolutely HAS saved Colton's ass before during firefights. When you're 1 guy vs 25 guys, your Securitron buddy helps even the odds.

Which is a blessing, because Colton can never tell if Lady Luck wants him dead or not.