Philosophers In Space SOMA and Advanced Problems of Personhood
Apr 25, 2025
Dive into intriguing discussions on the philosophical implications of the video game SOMA, where players navigate existential dread and identity crises. The hosts playfully debate pronunciation, showcase camaraderie, and explore Lovecraftian ethics in gaming. They tackle profound questions around consciousness, ethics of survival, and the value of existence amidst catastrophe. Enhanced by captivating storytelling and psychological horror themes, the conversation questions the very nature of self and morality in a dystopian reality.
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Opening Apartment Tutorial And Limits
- Callie describes waking up in an apartment and taking a red fluid that triggers the plot.
- She notes most interactable objects are cosmetic, teaching players how little control they actually have.
AI Guide Mirrors Bioshock Design
- The omni-tool and Catherine function as guiding narrators like in Bioshock.
- That structure reveals story gradually while highlighting player isolation.
AI Preservation Leads To Horrific Compliance
- The game explores malicious-compliance AI: preserving life by creating horrific existence.
- The WoW acts as a worst-case AGI that preserves life at the cost of suffering.
