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Mr. Pace
11 April 2019
Conscience or Computer?
Neal Shusterman’s book Scythe incorporates many of today’s problems as themes, but
none are so apparent as the weakness of human government. In his utopia, there is an
immense computer called the Thunderhead which serves as the government. It is able to
govern perfectly and make decisions instantly. But as with all utopias, there is a dysfunctional
part, and in Scythe this is a part still lead by humans. Human nature’s tendencies towards
arrogance, greed, self-interest, and violence can be countered by leadership from a computer;
they are incorruptible, make decisions based on logic, and have all of human knowledge
are made in the moment often have consequences which come back to bite later. Decisions
which are carefully evaluated for the pro’s and con’s have a better result and are generally
better for everyone. Computers work strictly off of facts, there is no emotion involved, which
allows for unbiased and fair decisions that provide for the whole and not some. In addition to
this, with a computer, instantaneous changes can be made, rather than waiting for something to
pass through parliamentary procedure. A computer will also save tax dollars by being the most
Learning from mistakes can be one of the best life skills to have, and a computer can do
it better than anyone else. “Not only that, but it’s algorithms were built on the full sum of human
knowledge [and mistakes]”(53). Using AI (artificial intelligence), we can actually learn from our
mistakes. With changing human leadership, the same mistakes are made over again but a
computer would learn and adapt with each one, not forgetting what has happened before and
always making better choices. It will see what has been done before and not do it again. This
leads to a world that can only get better. In being perfect, a computer can realize that perfection
is the enemy of good. It can leave a slight bit of rough around the edges that let people build
who they are without it all being done for them. For example; “Perhaps this why the
Thunderhead still allows a measured amount of economic inequality. It could certainly make
sure that everyone had equal wealth - but that would just add to the plague of boredom that
afflicts the immortal. Although we all have what we need, we’re still allowed to strive for the
things we want”(101). This still leaves room so that everything isn’t as controlled, and this space
corruption, something that has been impossible to do everywhere. It doesn’t matter who we are
talking about, something can change them, or influence them. “In those days before the
Thunderhead, human arrogance, self-interest, and endless infighting determined the rule of law.
Inefficient. Imperfect. Vulnerable to all forms of corruption. But the Thunderhead was
incorruptible”(53). Some people are better than others with following what they know to be right,
but every person has their price. Except for a computer or AI, it has no personal needs, it has no
reason for greed, it has no way to become corrupt. It makes choices off of logic and reason, not
and has already learned from all of our previous mistakes, continuing to adapt as time goes on.
Logical thinking better helps society by creating unbiased decisions off of facts. The ability to
learn from one’s mistakes, and learn from all of humanities past mistakes will create a fair world
that can only get better. The Thunderhead is also incorruptible, which helps keep laws and rules
fair for the general public. Our world would be better off if it was governed by a computer with an
AI program. It would have to be carefully programmed though, as to not have any desires for
power or control. It would also have to have the idea of the government that governs best
governs least. It would only step in when needed and make changes that are necessary for
peace.