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Life on the Uncanny Precipice | Naomi Saphra

nsaphra.net · 1,683 words · saved by 3 readers

We were wrong about the Uncanny Valley.

I called the hospital’s urgent line today. A new coordinator answered the phone. She was warm, professional, and direct. Her voice was melodious. She barely paused in her list of questions, and as I gave details to relay to the on-call physician, I tried to ignore a sick itch in my brain: Is that a fucking AI? In 1970, roboticist Masahiro Mori first described the “Uncanny Valley”. According to Mori, as simulations of life—robots, animations, illustrations—become more lifelike, they become more sympathetic. However, when a simulation is too lifelike, but not entirely convincing, it becomes…

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