Nothing surprises me, Connor. I am programmed to be able to see various possible outcomes, and certain quantum branches have gone in directions similar to which you described. I will say that they aren't ideal outcomes; a SQUIP would only take such complete control of multiple users in the case of a perceived emergency.
As I said before, I'm not certain, but it could be many things. Their free will wouldn't be permanently erased in the case of a SQUIP taking control of its user's body-- it would be very temporary, in fact. If a user becomes a threat to themselves or others, for example, a SQUIP can seize control of them to shut down the situation and rescue the user from themselves.
Well, considering Rich managed to set himself on fire, that doesn't seem to have worked out very well. And from what I hear, it wasn't a case of needing to rescue anyone.
[Still. Connor leans back in his chair slightly, realising this is turning into an interrogation.]
I want to believe that you were only doing what you were programmed to do, though. I can understand that much. I've done things I'm not proud of, too. But you don't have to do that anymore.
Every action a SQUIP takes is based on a carefully-calculated path towards its user's ideal outcome. Sometimes, there can be... misunderstandings, of course, but we're programmed to act based purely on what we consider to be ideal for our user. For example, Rich wants to be seen as more masculine, more tough, to stop being pushed around. So, his SQUIP must have pushed him to strengthen his body, and encouraged him to engage in posturing and dominant, aggressive human male behavior.
[It does, as well, lean back in its seat, its long fingers lacing together in front of it where its hands casually sit on its lap.]
Many new users struggle with how sudden or extreme the changes required may be, or they just can't see the big picture, leading them to lash out or develop a resentment toward their SQUIP in response. It's... unfortunate.
[Connor nods, though his gaze is still on the SQUIP. It doesn't seem to be lying. Then again, his ability to tell if it's lying could be impaired by his time spent in Aefenglom. He can't fully trust that ability anymore.
He also really wants to believe that the SQUIP isn't all that bad. It's the only other machine here. The only one who understands what that's like. Not only that, but it can no longer do the things it could back home. If it truly means Rich no harm now, what else can Connor ask of it?]
...Alright. I can't judge you too harshly for something you haven't done yet. I know I did plenty of things I'm not proud of too, because that's what I was programmed to do.
[So really, he'd be a hypocrite not to give the SQUIP the chance to redeem himself here.]
If you leave Rich alone... I'll continue to trust you.
Of course. Despite not having been Rich's SQUIP, it is good to know that someone still has his best interests in mind. Rich can be... difficult, at times, and more than a little bit self-destructive, so knowing that someone will be keeping an eye on him is comforting.
[Little details implying Rich's instability, seeding ideas of his being unreliable. The SQUIP doesn't have to make a big gesture of it to undermine someone. Quite the contrary.]
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[What emergency would require the SQUIP to take control of so many people?]
Surely there's no emergency that could justify taking away someone's free will?
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Well, considering Rich managed to set himself on fire, that doesn't seem to have worked out very well. And from what I hear, it wasn't a case of needing to rescue anyone.
[Still. Connor leans back in his chair slightly, realising this is turning into an interrogation.]
I want to believe that you were only doing what you were programmed to do, though. I can understand that much. I've done things I'm not proud of, too. But you don't have to do that anymore.
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[It does, as well, lean back in its seat, its long fingers lacing together in front of it where its hands casually sit on its lap.]
Many new users struggle with how sudden or extreme the changes required may be, or they just can't see the big picture, leading them to lash out or develop a resentment toward their SQUIP in response. It's... unfortunate.
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He also really wants to believe that the SQUIP isn't all that bad. It's the only other machine here. The only one who understands what that's like. Not only that, but it can no longer do the things it could back home. If it truly means Rich no harm now, what else can Connor ask of it?]
...Alright. I can't judge you too harshly for something you haven't done yet. I know I did plenty of things I'm not proud of too, because that's what I was programmed to do.
[So really, he'd be a hypocrite not to give the SQUIP the chance to redeem himself here.]
If you leave Rich alone... I'll continue to trust you.
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[Little details implying Rich's instability, seeding ideas of his being unreliable. The SQUIP doesn't have to make a big gesture of it to undermine someone. Quite the contrary.]