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If you’ve seen the original Westworld, you may not understand what the big deal is about a remake of a Michael Crichton-scripted tale of technology gone murderously out of control: basically, Jurassic Park with androids. Or since Westworld came first, I guess it’d be fairer to say Jurassic Park is Westworld with dinosaurs. They’re even both set in the backdrop of a theme park. The comparison is not subtle, and neither is any moral or philosophical messaging.
Westworld, the new HBO series, keeps the basic trappings of the premise — a futuristic theme park where extremely realistic androids recreate and populate historical settings for the pleasure of rich tourists (up to and including acts of sex and murder) — but so far looks to be intending to take a much deeper look into the underpinnings of identity, memory, and thought along the lines I mention above.
Interestingly enough, in the original movie there were other parts of the theme park shown such as one based on Ancient Rome. So far the new series dispenses with this in favor of focusing on the particular setting of its title, and it occurred to me in my musings over this article that there are few better choices that you could make than to match up the wild, unexplored frontier of AI consciousness with the frontier exemplified by the the American Old West. I’ve talked before about how a huge part of the Western genre lies in the shifting lines between civilization and savagery, and now I think: isn’t that something that could also apply to our brains, in that struggle between our higher and lower natures? Throw robots on the verge of Singularity into that mix, and pardners, that’s a real heady alchemical concoction you’ve got brewing. I’m ready and willing to drink some more down.
Suzie hearkening back to the last time Eustace was faked out. She probably regrets not being able to sneak the Lawn Ranger into the bedcovers to be the victim of the stabbing.
And with that, it's Episode 23 time! Welcome back to the Ranch, everyone!
12 thoughts on “540 – Trick Hello”
Scarsdale
Called it, she figured he’d do this, if by choice or by zombie voodoo. I’m sure the “friendlier” questioning will start soon, if she doesn’t just kill him out-right. Or just add him to the herd.
Crazyman
Gotcha!
Zombatar
This turn of events is a surprise only to Eustace. And, maybe, Eustace’s subconscious. After all, this way he doesn’t have to actually risk actually attacking Suzie, which gives him a greater chance of survival than actually attacking her. I wonder what he was promised/threatened with?
ConcordBob
Not to nit-pick, but since sights are on target, finger should be on the trigger. Especially this close.
The usual rule is “keep finger straight and off trigger until sights are on target”.
Dr. Norman (not a real doctor)
Not to nit-pick, but since that was current philosophies regarding trigger discipline have evolved.
Of course, it will depend on who you get/got your training from.
Experiments have determined that the fraction of a second to go from finger off the trigger to finger firing when appropriate is insignificant, and the risk of firing unintended is greatly reduced.
Dr. Norman (not a real doctor)
I did the google thing and I believe I saw how you reached this conclusion … but there are two parts to it – One should not omit the second part.
“Trigger Finger Discipline: · The practice of keeping your finger “off the trigger” until your sights are on target AND YOU ARE READY TO DISCHARGE THE FIREARM.” (Caps are my own)
Crazyman
She wants him alive so she can question him; otherwise, he’d already be dead.
ConcordBob
Good discussion on trigger discipline!
His skin is very pale / gray. Is this malnourishment, or has he been poisoned with a mind-control drug? I would have to go back and look a t all various of skin tone.
TKG
On a prior page we discussed what he’s likely got running in his system. I suggested that it’s probably Borrochero (Brugmansia arbora) which is already used by Colombian cartels to eradicate the free will of their victims.
ConcordBob
Oh, the gray is just the dim light. Here is McCarthy eating dinner, and has the typical white dude flesh tone.
https://www.zombieranchcomic.com/comic/531-inquisitional-etiquette/
Dawn
Yeah, I was trying to show that it was dark. But went with the old Hollywood method of adding a blue grey tint over everything.
Dr. Norman (not a real doctor)
Now can we satisfy my curiosity? Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or other timeline variant?