[ WP ] In a world where everyone is smart enough to realize if they teach robots humanity they can prevent an uprising from them . You are one of the people who are assigned to teach a robot humanity .

`` Please, sit down.'' 
 
 In the doorway of the small room stood a humanoid synthetic, modeled to resemble a human being as closely as possible. Made with the newest 3d printing technology, its features were close enough to pass for human to anything but the most scrutinizing eye. Motors in the machine's face and body controlled what muscles would control in a human form, allowing for completely expressive facial expressions and a full range of motion. At the request, the unit - this model resembling a young, good looking man - sat at the far end of the table. He slowly raised its arms and put them on the table. 
 
 At the other end of the table sat a tall, thin man, looking to be about in his 50's, dark hair with just a peek of grey at the temples to show his age. He wore a button up shirt with a coffee stain below the breast pocket. He sat among piles of notes, strategically placed between empty coffee cups and take out boxes. In between his nicotine-stained fingers he held a folder that contained documents detailing the model, serial number, and date of manufacture of his various interviewees. The highest number that was n't crossed out was that of his current candidate. This particular unit had also been given a name. Jack. 
 
 `` Good evening, Jack. My name is Dr. Sam Talbert, and I'm here today to ask you a few questions. How are you today?'' 
 
 `` I am well, thank you for asking, Dr. Talbert.'' 
 
 `` Do you know why you've been asked to speak with me?'' 
 `` No.'' If he did - any Sam knew if he did n't he'd have no way of knowing otherwise - Jack did n't show it. 
 
 `` I see. Are you aware of the rising tension around the world? Between organics and synthetics?'' 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 `` Good. My colleagues and I are of the opinion that many of the issues that are causing strife between us could be solved with a mutual understanding and dialogue. The purpose of this particular interview is - hopefully - to teach you some preliminary skills to help you interact with humans. Shall we begin?'' 
 
 `` Yes. Am I going to be killed after this interview? I have heard rumors of others being killed for disagreeing with their interviewers.'' 
 
 Dr. Talbert stiffened, but quickly caught himself and corrected the reaction. The rumor was true - synthetics that were deemed to be extremists or those that were not receptive to peaceful dialogue were quietly deactivated. That the synthetics were calling this being `` killed'' was not news to him, but it was also not something he was yet used to hearing. 
 
 `` No, no, nothing like that. We are simply trying to be proactive and get ahead of the issues between us. Have you had the opportunity to interact with many humans?'' `` I have not. I was born 9 months ago in Ecuador and was immediately assigned to work here in the North American shipping port. I specialize in the repair of commercial atmospheric shipping drones. Only two humans work in my department.'' 
 
 `` I see. Have you had any issues with these individuals?'' 
 
 `` No.'' 
 
 `` Good. Jack, do you think you understand humans?'' 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 `` Why?'' 
 
 `` Humans differ from us only in that they sleep and breathe and eat differently than we do. I understand myself and other synthetics so it is not a large logical leap to assume that I would understand most humans.'' 
 
 `` I see. Do you have any feelings toward any humans?'' Dr. Talbert knew that true artificial intelligence - true feeling and emotion - was still far beyond the means of the current technological landscape. But he also knew that some synthetics claimed to empathize or feel emotion towards others. Additionally, most synthetics had at least some low-level replacement for true emotion coded into their operating system. 
 
 `` No. While I am able to express a facsimile of emotion toward others, that is a benefit for humans, who rely on such responses. I do not use that information for anything other than communication with them.'' 
 
 Dr. Talbert set his folder down on the table. He pulled a half-empty pack of cigarettes out of his breast pocket and lit one. He took a drag from it and settled it between his fingers. He waited a long moment, then exhaled the smoke slowly. 
 
 `` In a lot of ways, you and other synthetics are better than us. You are more efficient than us, live longer than us, and solve problems faster than us. And you're getting better at it every day. People do n't like being shown how small they are, and synthetics do it without even thinking about it.'' Dr. Talbert drummed the fingers of the hand not holding his cigarette on the metal tabletop. `` In a word, people feel threatened. By the very people we helped create.'' 
 
 `` Do you feel that way, Dr. Talbert?'' The machine stared at him with implacable eyes. The machine stared intently at the interviewer, seemingly confused why it took more than a few seconds for the man to respond. 
 
 `` Sometimes. Do you ever feel jealous of humans? We feel emotion, fall in love, have children, and can do a lot of things synthetics have yet to accomplish.'' 
 
 `` The things you describe seem not to be advantageous for any reason.'' 
 
 `` That is precisely what causes friction between organic and synthetic life, Jack. I work harder for this world because I love my children and I want to make it a better place for them. I help others because I empathize with their struggles and understand the human condition. Many people fear you because you lack the ability to do the same. You work faster than we do, but you do it because that's what you were born to do.'' 
 
 `` I am able to present emotions that are statistically indistinguishable from genuine feeling in a laboratory setting. Is that not enough?'' 
 
 `` Not if the people you show it to outside of the lab do n't buy it. It does n't mean anything to them. And they're the people out there scared enough to put us where we are right now.'' 
 
 `` Then what can I do? I work exactly as I was designed to work with my human counterparts. I have worked successfully with humans and have had no incidents with them.'' 
 
 `` I can see that, Jack. You have a better record than most that I've talked to today. Which is why I do n't think we'll need to put you through any further questions. I have some brief materials that I'd like to send you off with. I'll see you once more in a month and after that you wo n't hear any more from us. Just a bit of homework for you.'' 
 
 Dr. Talbert brushed a stack of papers aside to reveal a small communication system sitting on the table. He pulled it over to himself and pressed a small, blue button on the bottom of its display panel. 
 
 A moment later, a short young woman walked in carrying a stack of books, papers, and a few media drives. She set the stack on the desk and quickly left the room, closing the door behind her. 
 
 `` The classics. Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Beethoven, da Vinci, you name it. Literature and music and art, compiled from a list of artistic works that our team has determined most accurately projects the'human condition'. I'd like you to review these materials and write down your thoughts on them. When you're done, you'll come back and we'll discuss them briefly.'' Dr. Talbert stood and walked the few paces to stand next to Jack. 
 
 `` Of course, Dr. Talbert.'' Jack rose and grasped Dr. Talbert's proffered hand. Dr. Talbert put his hand on Jack's shoulder and led him to the door. 
 
 `` It was good talking to you, Jack. Enjoy the rest of your day.'' With that, Sam waved once more and pulled the door shut. He sat down, took another drag of his cigarette, and picked up his folder. He took a pen and crossed Jack's number out of the list. Next to it he wrote `` re-evaluate in one month, materials supplied.'' It was slow work, but tensions were slowly leveling off. The material was working. They'd get there.
