Comic #3321: 2014-06-21
Description
Here’s a detailed description of the comic:
Panel 1: A character resembling an academic or scientist stands at a podium, addressing an audience. He has a beard and glasses. The caption reads, "In 1950, Alan Turing proposed a test to determine whether a machine has human intelligence."
Panel 2: The same character continues speaking, now gesturing with his hands. He says, "But this test is not general enough. It only distinguishes human from machine. And it only determines ability to seem human. It does not tell you whether an entity possesses human moral standing."
Panel 3: The character proposes a new idea, saying, "We propose a new protocol."
Panel 4: The focus shifts to a diagram showing a scale with various entities listed: "RNA, Fish, Birds, Cats, Capybaras." The character continues, "Cats can watch you poop with minimal discomfort…"
Panel 5: The character adds, "…as we walk along the scale toward herding dogs and cephalopods, we experience only mild discomfort."
Panel 6: The scene shows a dolphin on a screen or paper, with the character stating, "Here is the face of a dolphin watching you poop. On this basis, we propose an end to dolphin hunting."
Panel 7: The character explains further, "This method is so robust, to our surprise, it extends beyond humans, whom we originally considered as the maximally awkward poop-watchers."
Panel 8: A visual depicts an abstract mind or a cube-like structure. The character concludes, "The following is a simulation of a perfected mind woven of spacetime as it watches you poop."
Panel 9: The character stresses, "Note that the organism does not feel awkward for pooping in your presence."
Panel 10: Another character, possibly a woman, comments, "What about human couples who use the bathroom at the same time?"
Panel 11: The character at the podium stands confidently, replying, "I stand by my theory."
Background: The audience appears engaged, with little details suggesting reactions, such as a woman raising her hand and others listening intently.
Overall, the comic has humor around societal norms and constructs using an absurd premise related to privacy and morality.