[ WP ] An alien species has a test to determine if other beings are `` truly sentient . '' Humans do not pass the test .

`` This has to be a mistake.'' 
 
 `` No. This test has been perfected over millions of years. It does not make mistakes.'' 
 
 `` I've spent most of this cycle studying humans. They are capable of laughter, communication, compassion. They're capable of love.'' 
 
 `` Not exactly.'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` They believe they're capable of love. They believe they are in control of themselves and the world around them. That belief is the only thing that unites them with the rest of us. Humans do not control the way they think or what they do. They're just bags of meat being driven by a computer in their heads.'' 
 
 `` Why does that mean they are not sentient? We have computers at home that are capable of thought. The most basic computers on our home planet were very similar to humans today. Yet, we regarded these computers as sentient. So why are humans less sentient than computers?'' 
 
 `` Free will.'' 
 
 `` Humans have free will.'' 
 
 `` Not as most complex computers do.'' 
 
 `` Are you telling me that a computer has more free will than a living, breathing, thinking organism?'' 
 
 `` Correct. Our computers have a level of complexity that humans could not even begin to understand. We have machines that can feel. Humans only possess the illusion of sentience. When a human is happy, its computer releases chemicals that instill it with a feeling of happiness. The same goes for other emotions. Humans do not actually feel happiness. Their computer tricks them into feeling happiness, and the same goes for every other emotion.'' 
 
 `` So you're saying we should take their water?'' 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 `` I do n't agree with this decision. When we arrive and the humans scream in terror and cry for their loved ones, you'll see. You will feel remorse listening to them. But by then it will be too late.'' 

