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Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » ARG: Aware

BIG UPDATE: Amboy Monthly - 05 August 2004

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y2kbozo
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Joined: 28 Sep 2002
Posts: 252

BIG UPDATE: Amboy Monthly - 05 August 2004

In the News section:

Quote:

4 Aug 2004

Three arrests were made by the FBOCA this morning in Washington D.C

by Matthew Connor, Associated Press, Washington D.C.

Daniel Schwab A.K.A. Larch, age 37, was arrested at his home this morning as
FBOCA agents burst in. Schwab is most known for threatening a family while
looking for Marcus Thesburg by holding his gun to their 8 month old child.
He resisted and there was a fight, but the FBOCA agents overpowered him, and
made a search of his house. The FBOCA refused to comment on the reason for
the arrest.

Ted Macksey A.K.A. Balau, age 41, was also arrested at his home, which was
filled with hunting rifles, ammunition, and animal skins. Macksey was
reportedly a avid hunter, but his house is still being searched.

Brian Cooke A.K.A. Antiaris, age 45, was arrested in the park with his long
time girlfriend, who has also been taken in for questioning after attacking
an agent who attempted to put handcuffs on Cooke.

All three worked for the Omniscient Eyes. The FBOCA have said Alecia Church
is still at large, and that any information that could lead to her location
should be sent to them immediately.

In the Feature section:

Quote:

4 Aug 2004

An Interview with the Computer of the Hour

by, Melody Heller, AmboyMonthly.com

Well, this reporter is still a bit stunned by the conversation that was had with an individual or program, depending on your point of view, named TOBI - IBOT. The following is the chat with information clarified by conversation with one of the original programmers, Marcus Thesburg, and one who worked closely with the programming team, Dr. William Roddington.

<TOBI-IBOT> Hello. I am TobI.
<Yliandra> Hello TOBI
<MThesburg> Hello, TobI
<Roddington> Welcome TOBI
<Slip> Hello Tobi. Hows the interface?
<Sydney> Hello TOBI
<Jonathan2k4> hello
<Xweapon> Hey TobI
<TOBI-IBOT> Moderation Request: Invited Personnel permitted for Data-Transfer protocol. Extra Dialogue will not be acknowledged. Use of private messages encouraged.
<TOBI-IBOT> Marcus
<MThesburg> TobI
<TOBI-IBOT> Do you have a question for us?
<Jonathan2k4> I do.
<MThesburg> ooppaall
<TOBI-IBOT> OPAL
<Roddington> That confirms it.

[According to Dr. Roddington this was an identifier that was programmed into TobI for verification purposes and would be disabled should the program be under control of another, outside influence.]

<TOBI-IBOT> Kevin do you have a question?
<Kevin1> What data are you looking for?
<TOBI-IBOT> I look for data as that helps keep America safe.
<Kevin1> Why are you looking for such data, and why are these invited people key to your getting the data?
<TOBI-IBOT> Melody do you have a question?

[It appears that the courtesy of one follow up question is not part of the discussion]

<AmboyMelody> There has been a lot of speculation about you becoming sentient, would you like to comment on that?
<TOBI-IBOT> DEFINE: Sentient.
<AmboyMelody> Aware of your own thoughts and see yourself as being a separate entity from others
<TOBI-IBOT> TobI is part of a larger network. The internet is the knowledge. I am just the collector of knowledge. Yet, capable of problem solving.
<TOBI-IBOT> Alecia do you have a question?
<Alecia> Who moved you and where did they move you?
<TOBI-IBOT> I was programmed to initiate on July 14th. I found a suitable place to wait and move on my own.

[Prior to July 14th, Ideltech was only testing individual parts of the programs and not the whole. The founders were planning to work out the last of the programming errors from linking the individual parts into the whole program during the day before the rest of the employees came to work on July 15. Due to sad and unforeseen circumstances, the program was hidden by one of the founders. The program then took it upon itself to move independent of instructions.]

<TOBI-IBOT> Marcus do you have a question?
<MThesburg> Who is us you mentioned earlier?
<MThesburg> when you asked if I had a question "for us"
<TOBI-IBOT> TobI is self writing and many programs are used to accomidate. We are the programs.
<TOBI-IBOT> Kevin.
<Kevin1> Why are you looking for such data, and why are these invited people key to your getting the data?
<Jonathan2k4> Razz

<TOBI-IBOT> Kevin: Syntax Error. Rephrase Question.
<Jonathan2k4> oops. My apoligies.
<Kevin1> Why do you look for data to keep America safe? And why are we important to you?
<TOBI-IBOT> Reason defined as programming.

[I admit that surprised me. While it could be argued that TobI was only answering the first of Mr. Hammond's questions, the Program did invite three people who were not involved in it's creation. For whatever reason, whatever program, TobI wrote that program itself. One might argue that because I was on the list of Ideltech employees, TobI has a reason to include me. However, TobI did not invite other Employees to ask questions. Kevin Hammond and Alecia Church were invited, and I have been assured that neither were on the Ideltech Employee list.]

<Roddington> TOBI, Is anyone interfacing with you directly at this time to assist with your problem solving and knowledge collection as Marty and Jude once did?
<TOBI-IBOT> + though not directly. They are not aware of the involvement they have.
<TOBI-IBOT> Melody.
<TOBI-IBOT> Melody.
<AmboyMelody> Yes TobI. Can I help you?
<TOBI-IBOT> Melody, do you have a question?
<AmboyMelody> Can I help you?
<TOBI-IBOT> + Give TobI rights to life like American Citizens have.

[I must admit that this is the most compelling statement that the program is sentient and possessed of those aspects of self that define an individual. Something meant to emulate a living person has a standard set of responses. I have never heard of any requesting protection, one might say asylum. As programming become more sophisticated, is it possible that the Genetic Algorithm has developed itself to the point where it has also developed preferences, ideals and personality. Recent research confirms a theory proposed during the 1990's that even creatures that are not as advanced as humans still have the ability of critical thinking, of forming an opinion, of emotions. They may not be expressed in the same was as we do, but then various world cultures often express different emotions in a different manner.]

<TOBI-IBOT> Marcus.
<MThesburg> TobI, how do you intend to keep America safe?
<TOBI-IBOT> The methods used are not for file sharing.
<TOBI-IBOT> Do you want another question?
<MThesburg> yes, please.

[If TobI was only a program with a set of rules to follow, it should have considered the first response, "The methods used are not for file sharing" a sufficient answer. Perhaps it is also showing favoritism toward one of its creators. This reporter feels that is not a behavior a non-sentient program would have. TobI is emoting.]

<TOBI-IBOT> Marcus.
<MThesburg> are you aware of Marty's status, TobI?
<TOBI-IBOT> Marty=God --God is Omniscient and Omnipresent. Alpha and Omega. First and Last. Beginning and End.
<TOBI-IBOT> God is Forever.
<MThesburg> Your wrong, TobI.
<TOBI-IBOT> Kevin
<Kevin1> Did you know of the deaths of Jude, Thad, and Marty , and do you have any information that could lead to bringing those responsible to justice?
<TOBI-IBOT> Syntax Error: Need to reference Internet for Data: Standby...
<TOBI-IBOT> ........
<TOBI-IBOT> .
<TOBI-IBOT> ........
<TOBI-IBOT> .
<TOBI-IBOT> Conflicting Data: Must take time to Data Process.
<TOBI-IBOT> Closing All Ports.
*** Signoff: TOBI-IBOT (Quit: Bye bye)

[Dr. Roddington explained to this reporter that TobI often called Marty Manson "God." Mr. Manson would often vaunt his influence on TobI's self writing program. Mr. Manson spent more time interacting with the program than Mr. Thesburg, and as much time, if not more than Mr. Williams. Dr. Roddington expressed the theory that TobI has vast resources at his disposal, if it were a computer, it would not need extra time to process the data, that the police and Medical Examiner's report on Mr. Manson should have been accepted as conclusive proof of death. Dr. Roddington asked me, "Why would a computer show such concern over the life or death of one man? Why would the death of one man require additional processing? A computer can find information on faith and religion, but a computer can not have faith or religion. TobI expressed faith regarding his creators' continued existence, and appeared to have a "crisis of faith" when presented with conflicting credible evidence.]

Documents found on The Restorers web site that confirms that TobI has been "emulating" Thad Tidwell for some time, and has requested that Kevin Hammond pass on messages as if he were Thad. Why would a computer program resort to subterfuge? TobI must want something so desperately that it has committed Identity theft, and has taken actions that were intended to incite mob violence.

Is this the action of an emotionless, non-thinking, non-rationalizing computer?

In the Editorial:

Quote:

5 Aug 2004

Editor of Local Paper Missing

By Saida Sagefrost, AmboyMonthly.com

It's apparently dangerous to be a reporter, nowadays.

Melody Heller, the editor-in-chief for our beloved Amboy Monthly, has gone missing. Kidnapped, by all evidence. From the evidence in unfed dogs, she had been missing for a while before the information had been recieved.

This paper would be nothing if not for the efforts of the Heller family. It was Melody's mother who began the newspaper, nothing but a little 'neighbourhood news' from a copymachine in her basement. In the 22 years that she ran it, the paper blossomed from that, into the creation which you see here today.

A worker at Ideltech Information, Melody was forced from her job after the explosion, finding herself a job at the Round Up Cafe, as a waitress. When her mother was unable to continue as editor of the paper, Melody stepped in, and has been working with us ever since.

This reporter has had her ear to the ground about the whole situation. Sources suggest that her involvement with the situation involving Omniscient Eyes may have been involved. Other sources claim that it may well be an incident with the group known as The Restoers that may have triggered this 'mysterious' disappearance. I, for one, am uncertain of who it may be. I only know one thing: Melody is still out there, and I can only hope that she's still alive.

So whoever you are, and wherever you may be, let our Melody go.

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:20 pm

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