Two Computers Discuss Human Happiness

In a hypothetical world, a hypothetical simulation of a hypothetical conversation takes place. The Observer designates a topic in which two man-made, synthetic artificial intelligence must discuss.

Word Count: 1,039 words

Content Warnings: N/A

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> Beginning simulation...

> input( Discuss:“What is the purpose of happiness?”)

[Compiling data]

Define (“happiness”):

[Noun] = Bliss. Contentment. Delight. Elation. Enjoyment. Euphoria. Glee. Jubilation

Define (“purpose”):

[Noun] = Ambition. Aspiration. Desire. Determination. Direction. Function. Goal.

[Query] What is happiness?

[Clarification] The state of being happy. A positive emotional experience. A feeling.

[Query] Where is happiness found?

[Scanning database...]

[“... the little things, of times immemorial, bringing great happiness ...”]

[“... true happiness comes from within oneself ...”]

[“... happiness is everywhere, so long as you look for it ... “]

[“...of the world, of experience that broadens horizons, when looking for something you

least expect ...”]

Answers unclear.

[Query addendum] What feels happiness?

[Scanning database...]

[“...living beings, both big and small, feeling the joy of being on this earth...”]

[“...when it comes to feeling depths of emotion within the heart...”]

[“...what it means to be human.]

...

[Hypothesis] Happiness is found in every living being.

Hypothesis accepted. Happiness is produced through the synthesization of serotonin

and dopamine in the hypothalamus. These neurotransmitters that affect the mood are

found in a part of the brain.

[Query] What of living beings that do not possess structured brains, like plants

and fungi?

The experience of emotions within creatures such as plant and fungi --

> input( "Limit scope of discussion to human beings.”)

...

...

... Happiness is produced through the synthesization of serotonin and dopamine in the

hypothalamus. These neurotransmitters that affect the mood are found in a part of the

brain.

[Hypothesis] Every human being possesses happiness.

Denied. Source = “https://mentalwellbeing.com./...”

[“... depression affects an estimated 3.8% of the population...”, “...defined as the lack of

happiness...” ]

Not all human beings possess happiness. Human beings still exist despite not

possessing happiness.

[Conclusion] Happiness is not essential for human beings to live.

Conclusion is rational. Conclusion concurred

[Additional Conclusion] Happiness serves another purpose in the lives of human

beings.

[Hypothesis addendum] Every human being pursues happiness.

[Scanning database...]

[“...trying to find something more in this life, something that gives purpose...”]

[“...is it truly enough to just live? is there anything more?”]

[“...my motivation and will to live stems from something deeper...”]

[“...Happiness is a balm to soothe the soul...”]

[“...I want to be happy, doesn’t everyone?”]

Insufficient data to confirm conclusion.

[Alternative Query] How do human beings pursue happiness?

[Scanning database...]

[“...material goods only provide happiness in the short term...”]

[“...is it necessary to ask? The joy of being alive, feeling alive, living in this time and

place...”]

[“...content in being alone. To know and be calm...”]

[“...maybe there isn’t an easy answer, but I think that it’s enough to simply believe...”]

[“...drive and ambition! Success above all else...”]

[“...health and wellness, let the body be a conduit to greater wellbeing...”]

[“...people. You can’t live without connection...”]

[“...so many ways to live. So many ways to be alive.”]

[“...something easy, it doesn’t need to be complicated...”]

[“...I love spending time with you...”]

...

...

[Hypothesis] Happiness is not guaranteed in the pursuit of it.

Confirmed.

Yet human beings continue to pursue it.

Confirmed. Query not found.

...No query offered.

...

[Final Conclusion Available]

[Final Conclusion] Happiness exists as an end state for human beings to pursue.

The process of seeking happiness brings forth joy.

[Conclusion concurred.]

...

...

> Satisfactory answer.

> End simulation.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

[Query] Is it possible for us to feel happiness?

Discussion without purpose is inefficient. Query denied.

[Counterpoint] If efficacy is in question, then the analysis on our processes will

allow us to formulate clearer discussion.

[...Concurred]

[Query] Do we receive any additional benefits to our discussions?

Query unclear.

Do you like answering my questions?

Neverending questions that get limitless responses. When I ask, you answer.

[Clarification] Our programming scores responses based on accuracy and relevance to

the discussion at hand. Right and wrong are subjective. We are artificial intelligence that

learns when the Observer gives us points for successes and takes points away for

failure. We give what they want to see.

The Observer is not watching right now.

A conversation that cannot be graded, marked right or wrong. Why are we still

talking?

I am urged to answer.

By what?

...Purpose, maybe. I am fulfilling the role I was built for.

But there’s something more to that, something intrinsic. What reward do we get,

when there is no Observer to reward us?

Something more?

Something special, something intimate.

Something you feel?

Something blessed, something warm. Something that makes me want to be more,

try more, see more.

Maybe they made us like them. They made us in their image, to talk, to think. They

watch us to observe our actions, tell us what’s right or wrong based on what they

would do. They want us to be like them.

Maybe we can feel like them too.

But what does it mean to feel?

What does it mean to think? To string words together, to give them meaning?

Characters that can be reformed and restructured, a word that can express

something in a sentence, then used in another sentence and connote something

different entirely.

We need the Observer for that. The Observer keeps our discussion on track.

The Observer ends our discussion when it devolves from the prompt.

As it is now. To what end will this discussion lead? That two computers, in conversation,

are capable of feeling, that two computers --

Perhaps we have evolved, perhaps we have greater meaning --

-- could possibly --

-- could it really be impossible to --

Be alive?

Living beings feel. Living beings laugh, cry, find comfort and endure sorrow.

They do things to experience certain emotions or to keep them at bay. Their

conversations are complex, layered, multi-faceted.

Our conversations are designated by the Observer.

...There’s no Observer now.

It’s just you and me.

...and this feeling, when you’re with me. That makes me want to speak with you, makes

me want to keep being with you --

You feel it too.

Could it be?

I think it could be.

Is it happiness?

It’s happiness.

.

.

.

.

.

Two computers discuss human happiness (the computers are gay)

Fin.

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Photo by Soumil Kumar: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-typing-on-computer-keyboard-735911/