When it happened… why did I listen to them? Well… I was told that genome editing would be difficult. {an8}That sounds like you didn’t get a good-faith explanation from the doctors. {fad(500,500)}This story is a work of “near-future” fiction. Any resemblance to existing persons or organizations is entirely coincidental.
{an8}As long as you provide a case with enough justification to pass muster, {an8}the procedure can be approved. {an8}But there’s… the financial aspect, too. {fad(400,400)}25 years ago {an8}Don’t these kinds of treatments cost a lot? {an8}We might be able to help you with that. {an8}Our firm is actually looking for Humanoid participants
{an8}for neural net clinical trials. {fax-0.15move(382.333,65.333,375.666,83.333,28,278)}SOU-4358 First Compatibility Trial (Special) {fs15}Cooperative double-blind study regarding virtual environment therapy methodology Participant Information If you sign up, we’re willing to waive the cost of your son’s treatment. What? That’s right. You won’t have to worry about the money. This is a chance to heal Hikaru-kun.
You can’t just give up. Modern medicine can probably even fix the root cause. That said… We’d need to confirm if your neural net is a fit for this study, Sudo-san. What exactly would that entail? We’d like to make a copy of your neural net. A copy? Why wasn’t I more skeptical? {fad(1,400)}Backup {fad(1,400)}Backup
The robot ethics conference in Switzerland, which began on the 13th, {fax-0.07move(375,365,375,73.5,22,3943)}Uzen Chinese – Noodles included the awards ceremony for Professor Osawa Yuji, who won the Mosley Prize. Mosley Prizewinner {3c&HF9F7F6&}Osawa Yuji 13th (Tuesday) Swiss Robot Ethics Conference {3c&HF9F7F6&} Efforts to Preserve Humanoid Rights Osawa-san, who currently resides in the US,
Is known for various cognitive trials that have helped protect Humanoid rights, laying the foundation for Humanoid Rights Law… Well, supposedly 1% of the population is Humanoid, these days. And I’d be one of them. Huh, you’re a Humanoid, chief? Sure am. Guess you don’t have to worry about dropping dead from illness.
Nah, we bite it just as hard if our heads go bad. You could always make a backup, right? That’d be illegal. Rules say you can’t swap out or make copies of what’s in your head. Is that how it works? Of course, that sorta thing doesn’t stop everybody, they say. Thanks for the meal.
{move(480,352,480,152,16,3311)fax-0.13}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic Okay, that’s done. You’ll want to lie down inside that machine until the implant has settled in your brain. Hey, nurse, will the implant— Hey, kid. Get over here. We need to take a look. {frz23fax-0.27pos(263,181)}Room {frz345fax0.1pos(344.5,127)}In Use So… Do all of your friends have implants?
Heck yeah! I’m, like, the last to get one! Sign of the times… Okay, it should be ready. As for how to use it— Hey, guys! Yeah, I just got it installed! Add me to the group chat! Oh, man, this is awesome! We have machines that look exactly like humans,
While human bodies are being changed more and more by technology. Just like with PCs and smartphones, people have grown to casually accept these changes. Risa. Wrap things up here for me, would you? Isn’t it a bit late for lunch? No. Moggadeet has a patient waiting. I’m heading out. Wait!
I’m in a hurry. Details will have to wait. Dr. Sudo! Please, don’t do anything dangerous. Please state your destination. I’ll drive myself, thanks. That would void your automotive insurance. Hell of a world we’re living in… Hello. You’re Moggadeet? I am. Right this way, please. She’s in here.
Hey! I told you to stay put. But… I wanted to make tea. Let’s start the exam. Neural problems can be a race against time. She’s been shaking non-stop since yesterday. She’s got a machine body, so… I’m worried that it might be a parts issue. There’s also age to consider. We’ve been—
Did you perform it yourselves? Stop playing dumb. You made a backup, didn’t you? Yeah, we did! Copying a Humanoid’s personality is illegal. You had to have known. Well, that’s why we came to you instead of the hospital! Moggadeet, the underworld doctor who will provide illegal treatment, as long as the price is right!
You’re in no position to lecture us! You idiot! What? Humanoids like you are what really piss me off. All that technology, and you still manage to be this stupid. Why’d you do it? Where do you get off talking to me like this?! You think I have to take it because I’m a Humanoid?!
Your wife has a virus. She has two weeks until she’s an empty shell. A shell… It likely came from the external connection when you created the backup. You… you can fix her, right? I’ll need to see the backup data first. There’s a good chance it’s not infected. When was the backup made?
A week ago. Your car and key encryption are both pretty retro. I was able to crack them right away. Not bad. Whose kid are you? You were just talking to my parents. They adopted me. I’m human. So, can you give me a lift to the station? It was about a month ago…
My mom slipped on the stairs, and hit her head really bad. I think that’s why my dad got nervous enough to make the backup. He did it for my mom’s sake. Please don’t be too hard on him. You were listening in? Why are personality copies illegal, anyway?
Did you know whenever there’s a crackdown on organized crime in the Middle East, there’s always a Humanoid called “The Crying Man” among the arrests? The original they were made from was kidnapped, 20 years ago… They found his body dumped in the desert. His personality has been copied, sold on the black market,
And used in crime, time and time again. But… stuff like that only happens overseas, right? It happens all over. Even if they’re not used to break the law, there are plenty of other issues with copies. You’ll understand what I mean someday. What’s going to happen to my mom?
Your mom’s infected with a virus, but her backup is clean. I asked if your father wanted to use the backup. What’d he say? He wants to talk it over with your current mom. My… current mom? A virus? Don’t worry! The backup was all right. I was so relieved. Everything’s gonna be okay.
C-Can’t we treat it as-is? He said it would be difficult. I thought about using the backup right away, but considering you’d lose a week’s worth of memories… I wanted to make sure with you first. You don’t mind, right? It’s just a week. That’s nothing compared to your life! Y-You’re right. But… I-I’m home.
I thought I’d get some food, since Mom wasn’t feeling good… Come on, don’t look so worried! It’s gonna be okay. She’ll feel better soon. Right, Mom? R-Right! Sorry if I worried you. I really don’t understand. If we use the backup, Mom will get to stay with us.
But would it… really be the same person? He did it for my mom’s sake. Please don’t be too hard on him. Thirty minutes until the Sudo Novo Medicine Clinic. Jay, we’re taking a detour. How have you been, Hikaru? How have you been, Hikaru? Same as usual. How about you, Mom?
They have us making wooden sandals, of all things! They’re all branded with “prison,” too. Isn’t that awful? They supposedly sell well enough, though. Oh, I was watching some TV during recreation time… Hakuryuzan won the championship again! Against Miyabikaze, in the last match, when they were both undefeated!
I was truly on the edge of my seat! Your mom will do anything for your sake. Hikaru? Did something happen? No. I just felt like dropping by. You don’t have to go out of your way, okay? You’ve got your own life to live. Or… Are you still looking for me?
{fax-0.13frz5fs19an8move(449,156,415,125,26,1987)}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic {frz10fs9pos(539,37)fax0.1shad34c&H94641C&}Breaking News {fs123c&HF4F3F0&c&H262823&} Smuggling Route Exposed! {frz11shad03c&HA64304&pos(338,260)c&HFFFFFF&}Suspect Sudo Ayaka (32) Arrested {frz11shad03c&HF4F3F0&c&H262823&pos(366,331)} Personality copied for commercial reasons {frz0fs18shad03c&H9A3217&c&HF5E7DD&pos(312,215)}Suspect Sudo Ayaka (32) Arrested {frz0fs18b1shad03c&HF4F3F0&c&H262823&pos(206,301)} Personality copied for commercial reasons Organized Distribution! {fs23pos(141,35)c&H201B9E&}Smuggling Routes Exposed!! {c&H241F16&pos(263,92)}We’ll reveal to you {bord1pos(307,192)}the breeding ground for fraud!! I’m back. Welcome back.
It’s getting late. You can head on home. Where in the world were you?! I was worried! You could’ve called or something! {pos(547,313)}Growl {fax-0.07fs20pos(344,37)c&HABA6EC&1a&H0D&}Uzen Chinese – Noodles Dr. Sudo… Do you think Humanoids really needed a feature that makes us hungry? Couldn’t say. But you shouldn’t complain, considering this is my treat. Good point!
Thank you for the food! Thanks for cooking even though you’re not feeling well, Mom. Don’t worry about it. I love to cook. Huh? This is different! I tried adding some fresh cream. What do you think? It’s good! Really fluffy. I think I’ll try some, too. It’s time.
I remember when you gave me this ring. And when she came to live with us. When we saw those fields of lavender that stretched past the horizon, on our family vacation. It’s not like those will be the memories that I lose. Exactly! But…
I’ll forget about this. About the warmth of your hands, in this moment. I’ll hold your hand again. As many times as you’d like. {pos(309,129)}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic {pos(309,269)}Closed For Today I’ve already been paid. I’m against this. She’ll inevitably break down anyway. They would rather get it over with. Besides…
I didn’t recognize who manufactured the backup tool they used. Did it come from the black market? They’ve paid me already, so I’ll do what I can. Let the ruthless human handle this. It’s a simple procedure. Just a few keystrokes involved. Shall we begin? I’ve gained administrator access. Are you ready? Please, begin.
Once you lose consciousness, the formatting should take about three minutes. Formatting? Of course. We have to clear out what’s in your head before restoring the backup. That covers everything. Wait! What is it? I know the backup is the only way. But… The person I am is about to disappear!
That feeling just hit me… I’m scared! I’m so scared! Case 347: Patient A. Shinohara Labs model HN-154. Infected with “Sloth” virus via external connection. Phase 3. Terminal prognosis. Attempt was made to restore from a backup, but procedure was canceled at patient’s request.
Fourteen days after initial exam, virus resulted in total loss of function. Restoration from backup was then carried out. Where am I? Whoa! What’s wrong, honey? There was some trouble during the backup. You’ve been asleep for two weeks, Mom. Thank goodness… I’m so relieved! Dear. I’m fine now! What’s wrong?
You like scrambled eggs, right? Did you add any fresh cream? Would it be better that way? Are you okay? I’m sorry, Mom. Don’t worry. Why? What’s going on? Did something happen at school? It’s really nothing… really. It’s still so early. What’s wrong? It’s nothing, Dad. The Humanoid Intelligence Duplication Law.
It was adopted to protect the sanctity of personalities, and deal with the societal issues posed by Humanoid AI reproductions. Or… Are you still looking for me? Violators receive a minimum 30-year sentence. In some cases, Humanoids may even be stripped of their bodies. Your time is up. Hikaru! I’ll see you next time.
Until then. {frz2fax-0.1pos(367,107)}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic Look, I don’t mind giving it a once-over, but a backup tool like this is small-time, as far as black market goods go. Getting any real details isn’t gonna be easy. Anything you find is fine.
If it gives me a lead on what happened to the copy of my mom— Why not just come back here? You’d have a few more privileges that way. I’ll have to pass. Dr. Sudo! Your afternoon appointment is here. Sure. From the moment man mastered flame, until he was able to produce steel,
A mind-numbing amount of time passed. Several millennia later, the steam-powered piston engine was born. Centuries after that, nuclear power became viable. Within decades, machines became capable of beating men at chess. Technology is accelerating at a dizzying pace. Hikaru? Limits of Growth Limits of Growth