I Am Not a Robot

You wouldn’t imagine how often in my life I have had to say these words to someone. I can tell you on the day I was writing this, only four days ago, I was telling someone I am not a robot; I am a real person. Every time I have to explain my humanity, I feel like Pinocchio. “I’m a real boy,” but in my case, a girl.

These explanations only take a second but make me wonder what is so robotic about me. I know if I were face to face with them, they would clearly see the girl standing in front of them I am, in fact, a breathing person, not some robot to drive them crazy with all the automation out in the world. Who knows, though? With how advanced and how much money is being poured into artificial intelligence, maybe I am one of the best ones out there. I am similar in ways to a robot. Clearly, enough for me to be mistaken quite frequently as one.

Similarities

Firstly, for my robotic nature, I do have a tendency to shut down when my battery is too low. Or if the situation calls for a quick reset. One example is when I shut down towards the end of the semester in one of my classes. I would stare that the screen, half taking in what he was saying. A quick wave and snap in my face brought me out of low battery mode. Along with the question, “did you not find that joke funny?” It was some joke about the failures and shortcomings of women. So, no, I did not find it funny. One would think my human studies college professor wouldn’t make those kinds of jokes.

The second and most convincing is my voice. That’s what gets most people. The robotic way I speak. The control I have over that instrument and I guess my pattern of pauses or ways I stop to prevent stumbling over words makes it sound like I am trying to calculate what word should come next. What can I say, I spent all of high school training my voice with voice lessons. Each week learning to control and operate my voice with more precision.

Lastly, I was created. Two people spent time, money, and energy into my creation.

Differences

This one’s obvious. I am not wrapped in metal but wrapped in flesh. Made in the image of God. I breathe real breaths. I get sick. There are many more differences, but this should be the most compelling.

Conclusion

There are numerous reasons why I can prove that I am, in fact, not a robot, but maybe I am more similar than I thought. Maybe all those people are right. Maybe I am a robot.