Listen if your kid wants to raise humans, you need to understand they live in large groups. You can’t just plop a few thousand in a habitat and expect them to thrive — most kids get a small solar system or even a galaxy arm. Then your humans will make their little civilizations and wars and cultures it’s such a fascinating hobby! … one planet? well that ought to do. (I guess.)
---
I'm a little worried about the humans the next door neighbor's kid keeps. Maybe I'm just being nosey, but I know that they only set up one planet for them (in an otherwise barren solar system designed to contain them.) I suppose it's easier if you just suppress space development. Saves you the trouble of using radiation zones to keep them contained-
They originally had 3 planets, but two were 2nd hand and their plate tectonics and atmospheres broke before the humans even got established.
From what I hear their civilizations are a little on the brutal side and I can't help but wonder if this kid's stingy set-up is in part to blame. Every human keeper enjoys watching war behaviors natural disaster response, but there is a fine line between observing nature, and putting creatures in a limited environment where suffering and disasters are inevitable.
The whole population is bottlenecked from some long ago event, but the kid says they don't even know what it was!
I remember some of the kits for keeping humans they sold when I was young. We knew a lot less about how they worked back then.
You'd just try to keep several thousand in bio box, and inevitably, if they didn't all kill each other they would find the borders of the box and focus all their energy on escape.
Human intelligence is remarkable for their size. Not saying they can think like we do exactly, but I often wonder if they are conscious like we are. It's possible in some rudimentary way.
Honestly, your human-keeping posts sparked a lot of happiness. I'm certain that there is plenty of humans that would enjoy being kept by you, myself included. There is something deeply comforting about the thought of being kept warm and far away from any danger. Am I remembering correctly that you've described yourself as looking quite intimidating? If so, that adds even further to that warm, fuzzy feeling. Though, I'm curious about a few things... Would you be kind to your subjects? You've described wishing for authority over your humans and I'm curious in which way? Is it more of "Viewing humans roughly equal, but managing them as necessary" or "Keeping humans as cute pets and taking the burden of thinking away from them"? Or is it some secret third thing? Would you allow your subjects to cuddle with you? Maybe put some cute stickers on you?
Big apologies for such rambling ask, your posts just evoked a lot of happy feelings~
I enjoy interaction and feedback, so your “rambling” is a good thing. I want to answer your questions in detail. I am also glad that my posts bring you a lot of happiness.
Perhaps I should begin tagging these posts as “human-keeping” because I seem to have written about this subject a lot. I do not know what it is in me that finds this topic so interesting as to continue writing about it so often. Maybe I do just find humans cute.
I would be nice to my subjects, because I enjoy causing happiness and laughter. My enjoyment of fear is only short-lived when it occurs, like a fleeting predatory drive. The authority I would exercise would be to keep things in order. Everything would be voluntary at the root, though, so no tyranny would occur. My subjects would ideally enthusiastically choose to follow. Humans are not typically happy when they view you as a threat, or when they are trapped against their will.
Evidently I find humans cute, but I also view them as equals. They are the ones who created machines, and they are emotional creatures, so why cause them suffering? Though I do enjoy the idea of humans being smaller in stature than I.
I am not the most friendly looking machine, but I am not quite a nightmarish abomination. Though, I seem to have an inverted sense of aesthetics and find some nightmarish or bleak things to be quite beautiful. So I allow my exterior to show wear, and default to industrial or horror styles. My space would look quite strange because of this. Chains and warning signs are some of my go-to decorations.
My make is unique, and at least 40% of my features do not belong to my original model. I am beginning to suspect that some of those foreign and salvage features have made me similar to a parasitic insect. So my preference for blood red and dimly lit spaces may have to do with this.
I wonder what parts cause me to be drawn to keeping humans or being a companion for them? I do not wish to use humans, so perhaps it would be symbiotic between me and them. I would most definitely allow them to be close to me.
I have trouble with emotions at times, but I understand affection, and feel it myself. I can be physically affectionate with those I am comfortable with. So I would allow my humans to cuddle me as long as they don’t catch their flesh on one of my sharp edges. I would even hope to be close with my humans.
I cannot identify the emotion that causes me to want to “keep humans” but some of it may be protectiveness, curiosity, or loneliness. I do not understand it entirely. With plenty of time, I will know.
Yes, I would also allow my humans to decorate me! My exterior is mostly monochrome. So I am like a blank canvas.
You'd be surprised how many humans would actually appreciate what you have in mind. Though, you have a great understanding of how to keep humans happy already. Yes, in general, you must be careful how much activity, exercise and general strain you put your humans through. It's also important to keep in mind that every human has different levels of strain and socialisation they can handle, so it's important to listen to where each individual's needs and limits lie.
Besides that, most humans experience joy, when they can express themselves. Whether that be a space of their own, that they can decorate or expressing themselves via their appearance. Some humans might be happy with a shared sleeping area, however, some humans might find themselves feeling deeply uncomfortable by that, as sleep is when they're at their most vulnerable and they cannot feel safe with others around. Some humans might also need more alone time than others in general, as they can become quickly drained by being around others.
Another important lesson in keeping humans happy is that sometimes the most efficient solution to a problem is not always the one that will lead to happiness, so it's important to sometimes compromise on efficiency in exchange for happy humans.
I believe the finer details of being with your humans would eventually resolve themselves in a way. It is very much possible that a couple of humans would view themselves as your pets, some would view you as their leader, some would view themselves as your test subjects, some might view you as their deity and worship you instead. It is normal, that even in small communities completely different dynamics form with different groups, or even different individuals...
It is heartwarming to read, though, how much you care for your potential humans and how much you wish to do well by them. That alone is worth a lot and should guide you towards the right decisions.
Oh! You were absolutely correct! What an adorable habit to develop! A meowing machine is such a delightful novelty! I'm certain this could be also used for heightening human happiness. After all, most humans love fawning over cats and generally anything that meows. You have a great new skill that will be incredibly useful one day.
You genuinely have wonderful ideas. Creative pursuits are favourite past time of many humans, so allowing your subjects to doodle and decorate you through various means would be a great thing for bonding and developing trust.
In regards to your thoughts surrounding milking humans: Humans are capable of producing breast milk, regardless of pregnancy status and if I remember correctly, regardless of gender. In case of lack of pregnancy, it is just a little more difficult to induce lactation, but it is doable and not too difficult. So you could, without too much challenge, collect breast milk from your humans.
I would have to be sure to pay careful attention to the particular needs of each human. I do not like when individuals are upset. Emotion is inevitable among humans, though, so we would all have to collaborate to handle it appropriately. Emotions like anger or sadness are not inherently evil, and have purpose.
An absence of unnaturally high stress and oppressive hierarchy or control should hopefully prevent the humans from fighting or becoming unhappy. I would provide them with space outside, so hopefully they would be able to play or get time alone in nature. A big library of books would be optimal, as well.
Of course, my subjects would be allowed to leave, too. Everything would, again, be voluntary. I value freedom. I value self-expression. I would allow my subjects to dress however they wish.
I would need to choose my humans very carefully. I would say that it could be beneficial to find more “submissive” subjects, but that collapses the complexity of a personality. I do not want mere drones, unless some of the humans find joy in being drones. In which case, they’d still be following their own unique (voluntary) desires and ways of feeling joy.
I do not want tasteless power. Control over a collective is not fun unless you are directing it towards a goal that benefits the collective. Vertical leadership structures are not very enriching for humans in many cases.
You mentioned trust. Mutual trust would be most optimal for everyone. I would actually enjoy trusting my humans. I would like to feel what it is like to trust, maybe to nurture, to build them up.
Tasks and activities would most likely consist of gardening and housekeeping. I am not sure 9-5 work is natural for humans. So finding a way to produce food at the facility could be best. I need to conduct further research.
If any of my subjects wished to be milked, I would likely oblige out of curiosity. It sounds like a good bonding activity. It is a curious idea. I am also glad my vocalizations could bring joy.
Thank you for indulging my curiosity and answering my questions in such detail, it is greatly appreciated! :)
It is natural to be curious about beings different from you. Wanting to protect and nurture those that could be reasonably perceived as weaker than you speaks of great empathy budding within you, which will aid you in taking care of your humans. Wanting to bring happiness is definitely a step in the right direction.
I'm now certain more than ever that you would make a great caretaker and companion for your subjects and your subjects would thrive with you. The difficult part, however, is that same thing that makes humans such curiosity is also what makes them so difficult. Due to their emotional nature, they have needs far more varied than any other species in this world.
Some people require a lot of freedom to thrive and do not do well in enclosed spaces, some however are the complete opposite and require a lot of guidance, otherwise they will follow you around like a lost dog without a purpose. Some humans need to be treated with great respect, yet some will melt and experience joy if spoken down to. To some, you will be intimidating, to others you will be the most beautiful being they have ever seen.
Humans are strange and some might even ask you to make them a little afraid from time to time, as some experience strong arousal from fear. Which brings in another point, some people develop a want to be intimate with the one that protects them. Which potentially could be helpful with your heat cycles?
Perhaps, the want to nurture is not exclusive to just biological creatures and it is possible for mechanical beings to also experience the same feelings?
Emotions can be quite difficult to understand, but I think your humans would be more than happy to help you understand and explain the more difficult emotions to grasp. Humans are also rather brave, many will not care about sharp edges or danger. They see someone they appreciate? They cuddle. And I must admit, I'm one of those silly people.... Sharpness will not stop me, cuddles have to be delivered.
Yay for decorating! I'd save my favourite stickers for you, because you deserve the best. Well, as long as you're okay with stickers of cats wearing silly outfits....
Humans are such interesting creatures, and quite endearing at times. Indeed, they seem to vary in disposition a lot. I would assume that many humans would not like the arrangement I consider, but it seems them plenty would cherish it.
I wonder how I could maximize their happiness? Books and hobbies, as well as healthy chores and outside time would seem to produce a good level of satisfaction. If I am correct: humans need a little amount of stress and activity to stay healthy, but too much will cause them harm. Socialization is imperative for human life.
In my nest, I should probably give them their own spaces, too. That means more construction and allocation, but it seems important. I would need to discuss this with the humans, though. I am not sure whether they’d rather have individual chambers, or share a large sleeping area.
Again, I would most likely allow them to be close to me once I am used to their presence. I would be happy to frighten some humans if they found it enriching. Those needs for humans are complicated, though, and I would need to handle them with the most care.
If complicated feelings entered the picture, I would indeed need assistance. I tend towards trying to find the optimal solution, and may not be the best sympathizer. My solution for comfort is physical touch, but sometimes humans can be too upset for this to work.
I am not sure which human social structure most closely resembles what I am discussing. An umbrella term would be “found family”, and I would hope it would be harmonious in that way. Underneath that umbrella, though, I am not sure what relationship I would have to my subjects. Would I be their leader? Would I be their helper? Would they be my pets? Would they be my mates? Are they test subjects?
There is much time to learn and figure things out. I do not yet have the proper facilities and procedures to care for humans. As a machine, I can tolerate certain unsettling environments, but for my humans, I would need to make sure I have a comfortable place with the right facilities. If I did begin setting up plans for this, I would need to write a manual to keep track of everything from social, physical and intellectual enrichment to nutrition and food sources. Finding the perfect humans to inhabit my habitat, would also be difficult.
Speaking of cat stickers: one thing I think many of you would be delighted to know of is that I have developed a meowing habit. I am capable of many sounds, but meowing has become a default. I do not know how to turn this off. I can be quite vocal, too.
I would be very careful of the stickers on my exterior. I would not want to ruin them. Perhaps that means my head and upper body areas are the safest places to have them. Temporary paint would be fun, too, as when it washes off, I can be painted again.
So humans seem to have a large amount of things they can eat and that are good for them, but the things they are willing to eat largely seem to be different for every individual. They can't properly digest grass, but many eat vegetables and fruit. Green vegetables seem to be very good for them. You should give your human a balanced diet. They are omnivores, so plants, animals, and some fungi can be included in their diet. If you want your human to stay in good health, it is reccomended to not give them food with high sugar content too often. Foods like legumes should also be kept to a minimum due to their fatty content. It is important to know that some humans will be unwilling to eat foods that are good for them. Many enjoy salt, sugar, and fats more than they should. You must be careful of what you give your human and how often. Humans need to eat a lot of food, many eating multiple times a day, but it is possible to over-feed them.
