Welcome Home
So today might be a short talk about what would be the case if adoptions would ever go into effect. This would lie mostly towards if conventional household pets were chosen to be the recipients of a procedure to learn consciousness.
Food
What sort of family would a dog or cat or parrot be given to? Selection through government and scientific procedure would determine the ideal family. And chances are, the ideal family would be those who have two parents and/or children all at a decent age who are well-cared for and responsible. So what considerations would this family have to have?
First and foremost, diet considerations are part of any normal pet owning family. No chocolates, grapes, alcohol, and the usual suspects of food toxic to nonhuman animals. Additionally, the question comes up as to whether the family would incorporate the new member as an equal, or as a pet. And this is where you can of course, see serious confusion both for ourselves and these hypothetical families in question. Is it still fair to not be able to share the couch, (this is for more dog people, and the rule faintly stands at my own house. Very faintly...) Would cats have their opportunity to share the toilet with the humans over a simple litter box?
Entertainment and Hobbies
Additionally, how would the pet (I'm using that word from now on as I couldn't think of any other words) respond in conventionally normal human activities: talking on the phone, texting, cleaning, watching TV or videos, playing board games (Yes those exist; yes, I like Monopoly so there.) That's a matter of decision on the part of the pet is my best guess. And perhaps board games wouldn't amuse them, or the concepts would be way too hard to grasp. Also consider most games need a combination of mental math, critical reasoning, strategy and predictive analyses, and/or opposable thumbs. Which would bring up the interesting point that with the introduction of human consciousness, would we see the equal likelihood to reason the same, not so much as 'Who am I?' but more like, 'If I can anticipate this person to do X, then I can probably do Y and expect a favorable result.' We'd be tempted to think that human consciousness and reasoning go hand in hand, but the unfortunate answer is that we can't expect that in the slightest. After all,
Perhaps the easiest solution is to consider the fact that humans, as fully conscious and aware as we are, are not always the best at trying to reason a plan of action. Some people don't have the real initiative to think ahead in their actions. Coincidentally, I write this as a roommate who lived in the same house I do got arrested: drunk and disorderly if you were curious. Alcohol impairs motor control then cognitive abilities and that generally leads to serious issues. Apart from that, some people, all respect to them, don't have their full mental capabilities. Whether by genetics, injury, or developmental reasons, there is simply no assuring that with consciousness comes full mental capacities.
So to bring it back to a sentient animal's situation, the family might be inclined to think the pet is bright beyond its years. Beyond its species. But however, they can still be limited to the mental capacities of a 11 year old, this going off the fact they say a grown adult pet has the attention of a two year old. In which case, they may not have the mental abilities to enjoy the more complex hobbies we have. Of course, TV is still in the picture, possibly with the pet asking an occasional question about what a word means, or how a sport works. There is also no problem with more simple sports taking up the energy levels of the family involved.
Slumber
It can be said the pet sleeps with who it is most closest to. The even within a family there is a bond between one family member and the pet stronger than with the rest. There may not be much to discuss here. Maybe in a family where a cage would be typically used, would that be considered out of the question? Additionally, would the pet be considered so independent they would be required to have their own room? Because also consider the point on the pet establishing a primary bond may not be so strong after its treatment to become sentient.
Trips
Should the family decide to go on trips, would they bring the pet along? Or would they leave him or her home with a sitter? Important things are to be considered when a long terms stay is finally realized in a world with sentient pet species. Because bringing the pet along would cause serious trouble. Rules would be changed in some places to accommodate, and others may not, causing trouble anyway for forbidding pets to enter. In transportation, would they be considered a passenger, or live carry-on luggage? And you can rest assured an art museum with priceless pieces would throw a fit.
I realize I went long again, and I may have to do a second part to this, so I hope to be back with more ideas and thoughts to contribute.
But, as always, Happy Thinking!
Food
What sort of family would a dog or cat or parrot be given to? Selection through government and scientific procedure would determine the ideal family. And chances are, the ideal family would be those who have two parents and/or children all at a decent age who are well-cared for and responsible. So what considerations would this family have to have?
First and foremost, diet considerations are part of any normal pet owning family. No chocolates, grapes, alcohol, and the usual suspects of food toxic to nonhuman animals. Additionally, the question comes up as to whether the family would incorporate the new member as an equal, or as a pet. And this is where you can of course, see serious confusion both for ourselves and these hypothetical families in question. Is it still fair to not be able to share the couch, (this is for more dog people, and the rule faintly stands at my own house. Very faintly...) Would cats have their opportunity to share the toilet with the humans over a simple litter box?
Cat that wasn't drinking from the toilet
Entertainment and Hobbies
Additionally, how would the pet (I'm using that word from now on as I couldn't think of any other words) respond in conventionally normal human activities: talking on the phone, texting, cleaning, watching TV or videos, playing board games (Yes those exist; yes, I like Monopoly so there.) That's a matter of decision on the part of the pet is my best guess. And perhaps board games wouldn't amuse them, or the concepts would be way too hard to grasp. Also consider most games need a combination of mental math, critical reasoning, strategy and predictive analyses, and/or opposable thumbs. Which would bring up the interesting point that with the introduction of human consciousness, would we see the equal likelihood to reason the same, not so much as 'Who am I?' but more like, 'If I can anticipate this person to do X, then I can probably do Y and expect a favorable result.' We'd be tempted to think that human consciousness and reasoning go hand in hand, but the unfortunate answer is that we can't expect that in the slightest. After all,
Perhaps the easiest solution is to consider the fact that humans, as fully conscious and aware as we are, are not always the best at trying to reason a plan of action. Some people don't have the real initiative to think ahead in their actions. Coincidentally, I write this as a roommate who lived in the same house I do got arrested: drunk and disorderly if you were curious. Alcohol impairs motor control then cognitive abilities and that generally leads to serious issues. Apart from that, some people, all respect to them, don't have their full mental capabilities. Whether by genetics, injury, or developmental reasons, there is simply no assuring that with consciousness comes full mental capacities.
So to bring it back to a sentient animal's situation, the family might be inclined to think the pet is bright beyond its years. Beyond its species. But however, they can still be limited to the mental capacities of a 11 year old, this going off the fact they say a grown adult pet has the attention of a two year old. In which case, they may not have the mental abilities to enjoy the more complex hobbies we have. Of course, TV is still in the picture, possibly with the pet asking an occasional question about what a word means, or how a sport works. There is also no problem with more simple sports taking up the energy levels of the family involved.
Slumber
It can be said the pet sleeps with who it is most closest to. The even within a family there is a bond between one family member and the pet stronger than with the rest. There may not be much to discuss here. Maybe in a family where a cage would be typically used, would that be considered out of the question? Additionally, would the pet be considered so independent they would be required to have their own room? Because also consider the point on the pet establishing a primary bond may not be so strong after its treatment to become sentient.
 |
| Rules are relaxed with Passage of Time |
Trips
Should the family decide to go on trips, would they bring the pet along? Or would they leave him or her home with a sitter? Important things are to be considered when a long terms stay is finally realized in a world with sentient pet species. Because bringing the pet along would cause serious trouble. Rules would be changed in some places to accommodate, and others may not, causing trouble anyway for forbidding pets to enter. In transportation, would they be considered a passenger, or live carry-on luggage? And you can rest assured an art museum with priceless pieces would throw a fit.
I realize I went long again, and I may have to do a second part to this, so I hope to be back with more ideas and thoughts to contribute.
But, as always, Happy Thinking!
Comments
Post a Comment