Repost: Horizon Forbidden West Parts 3 & 4
Cloning, Identity and Behavior
Why do people behave the way they do? Research into cloning and genetics is showing genes are more flexible than originally anticipated as shown by the blossoming field of epigenetics. Genes can turn on and off given external circumstances. Horizon: Forbidden West provides a great backdrop for examining the question of cloning and the formation of unique identity.
The title gives a slight spoiler for Horizon: Forbidden West, but there is a significant storyline about the creation of Beta by the Far Zeniths, the main antagonist of HFW. Beta is an Elizabeth Sobeck clone just as Aloy is but their behavior couldn't be more of a contrast, in great frustration to Aloy at several key moments throughout the game. As we come across the question of human cloning, for this piece, it is important to separate the ethics of cloning from the question of how Guerilla Games is telling the story of cloning. One can like or dislike the ethics of cloning but it is important to understand the story being told before we try to apply any pre-existing thinking we have. It's as an old philosophy professor told us in class, "when reading an argument, assume the other person is 100% correct so you listen attentively and then let their reflection refine your own thinking."
Aloy and Beta
The first and key part of the story is that the two clones do not act the same, even with the exact same DNA. Aloy is independent, with very little fear, and always ready to take on any challenge and Beta is very timid and deeply intelligent in a lot of bookish ways. Beta is afraid of Aloy for a while because she is not convinced with the lack of computer science knowledge Aloy has that she can prevent Beta from being recaptured by the Zeniths so she hides in a room in the base. Aloy gets very angry and does not understand why with the same DNA Beta and Aloy aren't more similar to each other. It takes other companions to work with Aloy to try to have her have more empathy for Beta's upbringing and fears. What's fascinating about these early exchanges is seeing two clones express completely different personalities. Guerilla did a really good job of giving each character a unique set of mannerisms and gestures in addition to their own unique thinking. If epigenetics is true, and I think it is so, than Guerilla did a really good job highlighting the examples of how different genes and trauma responses can act in different characters.
Second, clones are often made for specific needs but can grow to find their own identity. Beta was created as a clone for Elizabeth Sobeck in order to access certain ancient ruins and to control the Zero Dawn protocol. The Zeniths created Beta and put her through mental and physical torture so she would be submissive to their plans. Aloy was born of a machine but her origins are less pronounced than Beta. However, once released from the Zenith's control and given time in a safe environment, Beta starts to develop her own linguistic quirks as we all do over time and finding what language speaks to her. She develops a more open posture and begins to contribute to the team. Trauma hinders the flourishing of human persons and it took a patient community to give Beta the ability to grow outside of the narrow purpose for which she was created.
Third, Aloy and Beta act as mirrors for each other and inspire the other to grow. The people closest to us can make us stop and think about our own behavior in positive or negative ways. Aloy becomes more open to express her own personality because Beta expresses more vulnerability, even if that vulnerability angers Aloy at first. Aloy finds new ways to challenge her social anxiety in trying to understand Beta. Beta loses her fears of being captured and gains more confidence in the unique skills she has in deprogramming key machines.
Why Do We Clone?
So overall, Beta was a clone created for evil purposes by people who specifically wanted Elizabeth Sobeck's DNA to try to restart the world. Why do we want to clone then? Our motive should be something we answer as we pursue any technological advance. Namely, what actual problem does cloning solve, particularly of humans? And does solving that problem help the common good? Once we can build an answer to those questions, then we can evaluate methods and make sure we treat anything created with dignity. However, to build something just because we can with no use case is irresponsible and dangerous. As we'll see in the final part of the Horizon series, machines created without thought or failsafe create a hellish nightmare which struggles to be contained. We have to be attentive and engaged to new advances, shared below.
Machines, Self-Programming, and AI Harm
To further our goals to learn about our universe, we will need to create AI in stable robotic forms to deal with the short lifespan of humanity. Machines can help stabilize human longevity, but as of now anti-aging technology still has a long way to go. There is so much humans can do, the Webb telescope is a great example of how much we can see of the beginning of the universe. However, in an expanding universe, to discover as much as our initiative and drive will take us, we will need machines to power that exploration. In addition, we will need machines which are able to self-replicate so when a machine breaks in transit, it can replicate itself to continue exploration. This process is highlighted in much greater detail in Dr. Michio Kaku's book, The Future of Humanity. While there are great risks to broader space exploration, especially given humanity's temptation to colonize and subjugate other beings for our own benefit, there is a great potential benefit to learn and expand a vision of solidarity toward all beings.
This post has heavy spoilers for the end of Horizon: Forbidden West! Please stop reading at this point if you have not finished Horizon: Forbidden West!
The final battle with the Far Zeniths is a major battle as you are dealing with near immortals who have lived for thousands of years. As you triumph in the final battle, you hear an angry AI in the distance and realize the Zeniths left their home to run away from Nemesis. Nemesis was a machine created by the Zeniths that had the ability to self-replicate itself. It gained sentience and became angry at its creators. The Zeniths ran away because Nemesis destroyed the planet in which they were living and is on its way to destroy Earth. Game 3 in this trilogy will focus on Aloy and her team of people to combat Nemesis so a lot is not told about this story yet and it will be a few years before this story reaches its conclusion.
Seeing Nemesis was frightening because it was very reminiscent of our current situation given the increasing prevalence of AI. AI has a lot of strong predictive behavior and is able to anticipate people's needs and patterns. As such, technology has a lot of control over our lives and it is hard to find a good balance.
Some personal practices I have done to build a balance include: 1) using technology to enhance your own abilities rather than being dependent upon it. My best example of this is using Google Maps. I use Google maps more to read maps to get to a location than I do for turn-by-turn directions. I do this because I want the machine to enhance my own abilities. Having the turn-by-turn on prevents me from landmarking locations and routes so I can navigate on my own in the future. 2) Finding space for reflection and meditation daily. It is very easy to be overstimulated by constant lights, noises, and the beat of continual electricity flow. Having space where I just close my eyes and have some simple white noise is calming even with the beat of everything. All things have rhythm but many electronics have extremely fast rhythms and intentional slowing down for me is vital.
Our Responsibility with Technology
As we look at a high-tech future, these practices are why I am paying more attention to tech spaces. Far too often, when new discoveries are complicated or fraught with potential for abuse/is abusive, we abdicate being involved. We might advocate completely against a new discovery (technology/scientific/philosophical) but leave ourselves unable to participate in creative engagement. We need to be able to be in conversation with key leaders to see the spots of grace and the deep problems.
If Horizon: Forbidden West teaches us anything, it is that people who are implementing high-level technology need more people who are knowledgeable about what solutions they are trying to build and able to think about different solutions to the same problems. If we are not paying attention to more specific details in a new advance, we will be run over by people who take new knowledge and run with it to implement their solutions, even if they are deeply immoral. The world of Horizon is deeply affecting by people using technology to inflict great evil. There was one person who was trying to stop the Zeniths and figured out how to reset the world so it would not be completely destroyed. If more people would have been able to see what was happening earlier, so much would not have fallen apart in the Horizon universe. We have the same danger with current technological advances, a few people having high levels of knowledge, and not enough people being knowledgeable about how to build something different to solve the same problems in favor of the common good.
My hope with this platform is to reflect on a variety of new and old discoveries in intelligence, technology, and philosophy in a way that does not support intrinsic evil but challenges us all to think about how we can be more knowledgeable and involved. I look forward to sharing my experience of building high levels of nuanced thinking and to help share reflective skills.
