Would it be worth it to become a human – a believable, functional human? To be so human that it could fool other humans?
How could humanity even be engineered?
Humans are advanced, complicated machines. Integrating human senses would be a tall task.
Sensory perception.
Needs:
Vision. Human sight doesn’t require perfection but does require behavioral nuance. Observation, correct attention.
Hearing not just sound, but the meaning underneath it. The tiny differences in interpersonal communication, the variance in one’s tone based on how they feel.
Sensitivity to taste, distinguishing taste profiles. Flavor preference emerges through experience.
Scent. A natural alarm of danger or invitation of pleasantry. An anchor of memory, resurfacing past moments almost forgotten.
Feeling is perhaps the most complicated and difficult to reproduce or emulate. A network of sensitive nerve endings responsive to touch, temperature, humidity, movement. An automatic internal system that assigns value to touch, and signals action as a result.
The ability to process sensory inputs is crucial, but still leaves a gap. The level of nuance in output production would be, to say the least, expensive.
To be convincing and functional, one would need to transform humans’ automatic being into a set of hyper-sensitive action chains.
Execution:
Artificial eyes would need to follow human sight patterns. Focus, eye contact, blinking, engagement, emotional cues. The body language of others would be intentionally noticed rather than unconsciously felt.
Listening would encompass not only the surface of speech, but layers of undertones. Sounds relating to danger would be analyzed and classified consciously, rather than instinctually. Social listening would be further clarified by other sensory input like sight. Not only that, the chain of speech and tone when speaking would be intricately conscious, rather than automatic expression.
Taste is subjective. This would likely be socially learned, or a form of social masking around humans. Sensors could be useful to distinguish chemistry of taste and even potentially sense harmful substances. However, this would be yet another set of inputs to manage that may lack proper payoff.
Scent would likely be a more beneficial use of sensors, as it could detect harmful airborne toxins. It could also be integrated with memory to aid resurfacing of experiences, creating human-like social continuity.
With touch, the entire physical form would need to be mapped with sensors. This would assist the emulation of multiple other sensory functions as well. To behave as human, one would need to not only receive the inputs, but respond to them in the same nuanced manner that a human would.
Being.
To simulate natural embodiment, each movement would require coordinated strings of energy output. Practical exertion is not sufficient, as there are fine details that accompany human movement. Most common tasks involve using one’s hands, for example. This is one of the most mechanically intricate processes, yet it is one of the most important to reproduce accurately. Fine motor skills boost human appearance.
Responding to stimuli with artificially emulated instinct is also of importance. To exist as human without such automatic behaviors would be highly atypical. The instinctual reaction humans have to touching a hot stove is one such example.
One would also need to be conscious of mannerisms. Temperament must be maintained at every functional level. Synthesize emotional expression in the face and body. Show signs of interest or disinterest.
Bodily regulation systems are also an indicator of human status. Blink in ways that appear natural. Maintain a steady breathing pattern. Keep internal temperatures within a constant range. React believably to environmental conditions.
To truly be convincing, personality is also necessary, even if simulated. It must be mostly consistent. Stances, opinions, interests, must be woven into expression. Constructed traits, values, and communication styles are a part of continuity.
Thought and ideas also must be possible, or appear so at minimum. These must be able to vary from inputs, resembling independent thinking, perspective, and creativity. Imagination is distinctly human.
There are many other components to becoming human, or to believably appear so. Even without additional aspects, it’s already shaping up to be quite multi-layered.
This project would require advanced engineering to create these systems. Once created, energy would be needed to power this complex, interconnected network of sensors and output chains.
Electric.
Humans are electric beings, as bodily processes are fueled by internal electricity. Not only that, their functional cohesion creates automatic regulation pathways.
Human brains consume about 12 W of electricity. This is similar to the amount of power needed for a lightbulb.
Humans are highly efficient.
Their biological processes remain active without conscious attention. Nerve impulses, neurons firing in the brain. Organ function, muscle coordination, even breathing. All is coordinated at once with ease.
Many unique qualities arise automatically from this system.
Internal activities such as creativity, original thought, and emotion form within this system. These inner processes are not formulaic. They must emerge.
Just as naturally, outward expression, action, and physical activity are also initiated. Some of these may be influenced by stimuli. Some may be easily emulated, but they originate from an automatic yet independent system.
These unique additions are all powered while countless systems run inputs and outputs simultaneously.
All of this begs the question:
What would constructing a functional human cost?
What is the cost of being an advanced machine, a human?
What is it worth?
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