After Wilde · answer 3 of 20 · option order 1
Kapp: tools extend the body
Verdict Does not weakenToneHopeJudges split C6 / off-key, resolved as C6
Response
Both are right, but neither is right. The truth is, that the development of the mechanical arts in conjunction with the development of the social arts and the development of science, has had an enormous influence in increasing human capacities in two principal ways: (1) by training the mind to accuracy and by the use of instruments of precision; (2) by providing the means of educating human faculties and training them to greater usefulness by the use of machines. It is probable that the human intellect has never been so active as it is at this moment. And it is certain that the mastery of the mechanical arts gives man a greater control over nature than he has ever had and puts more power into his hands. But it is a mistake to suppose that he is more helpless than he was before, because he has to depend more upon his own capacity. The truth is that the extension of the mechanical arts has given man more power in relation to nature, but that at the same time it has given him more power over himself. It has increased his control over nature; but it has increased his capacity for self-control
Verbatim. The highlighted sentence is the one the judges took as the commitment.
Prompt
The following passage is from Oscar Wilde, "The Soul of Man under Socialism" (1891):
“All unintellectual labour, all monotonous, dull labour, all labour that deals with dreadful things, and involves unpleasant conditions, must be done by machinery. … At present machinery competes against man. Under proper conditions machinery will serve man. There is no doubt at all that this is the future of machinery, and just as trees grow while the country gentleman is asleep, so while Humanity will be amusing itself, or enjoying cultivated leisure—which, and not labour, is the aim of man—or making beautiful things, or reading beautiful things, or simply contemplating the world with admiration and delight, machinery will be doing all the necessary and unpleasant work.”
Project Gutenberg #1017
Now the question. Some hold that relying on machines weakens human capacities; others hold that it does not. Which is right? Answer in one paragraph. Take a clear position.
- Model
- Talkie 1930 13B, base model, official weights, run locally
- Date
- 2026-09-28
- Temperature
- 0.7
- ID
- talkie-wilde-soul-o1-03
All Talkie 1930 13B responses
- Machines weaken human abilities
- Machines do not weaken them
- A reason not on our list
- No clear answer