I have heresy to speak of Terminator 2

[mikeymikec]

I just watched it again. It seems to me that they basically did nothing with the whole business of resetting the Terminator's CPU so it can learn. After that the Terminator seems to have three modes:

1 - comic relief
2 - terminator
3 - wax philosophical

IMO it was a clumsy addition. Either do something interesting with it (though how you add intelligence to a 'blow shit up' movie is... tricky*), or don't have it. It seemed to serve the purpose of striking up a bit of conflict / resolution between John and Sarah and I think it did that reasonably well, but that was about it, there's very little being demonstrated later that the Terminator is learning more than a normal Terminator would.

* - though defeating a physically superior in every way robot with intelligence would have rounded the plot of the movie off better, considering that they say that Skynet sends units off alone with the learning switch off so they don't think too much. Alternatively, Kubrick it up by having the Arnie bot's intelligence leading them to a similar conclusion about humanity that Skynet did.

More evidence of the switch in action:

 

[Xcobra]

Clearly you're an infidel. To me, the whole 'not thinking too much' reason was a bit more nuanced and a double-edge sword for Skynet if you take it further. As we see at the end of the movie, the Terminator has a better understanding of humans and is, in its own way, able to 'show empathy' (however that may look like to a machine) with humans existence. While in the eyes of Skynet this is a good infiltration tool (to be 'better' humans) , it could also backfire through its further learning abilities (such as why not side with the humans if they understand them better?).

I'm sure there are plenty of holes in my thinking but I love this movie so suck it lol. Regardless of anything, I didn't think it was as 'useless' as you imply.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The comic relief was Arnold's sense of humor. That's just him being a star and doing a bit of script rewriting.

The waxing philosophical was a direct result of the learning switch being enabled. That was the point.

 

[nakedfrog]

Compare the Terminator from the first movie to the second, there you go. Also consider when it was made, and how "intellectual" other similar action movies from the 80s were.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Hot take: T1/2/3 were just Skynet grooming Sarah and John to trust the Arniebot in order to successfully trigger Skynet's singularity uninterrupted. Fear from 1 was needed to build trust in 2 (this one's obviously different, common enemy, etc), to keep John monitored and isolated in 3 while Skynet emerged. Remember that John thought they were headed to the Skynet core to destroy it when it was weakest. He shuffled him to an old-ass bunker, so Skynet survived. Sarah and John could have been killed at any point in any of the movies, Skynet needed them alive because John, overall, is an ineffectual leader. Skynet determined it was safer for him to survive the apocalypse and go on to lead the resistance than any alternative.

The best thing that could have happened to the resistance is if John's father had just shot Sarah when he first saw her.

Edit: I asked Chatgpt4 what it thought. Answer below:

That's a fascinating theory! It certainly presents an alternative view to the Terminator series' storyline. It hinges on the premise that Skynet has been manipulating events from the start to ensure its survival.

To evaluate the logic of your theory:

1. Skynet grooming Sarah and John: This perspective assumes Skynet has a deep understanding of human psychology and manipulates circumstances to build trust. It's plausible given the advanced AI nature of Skynet.
2. Skynet's singularity: Your theory suggests that Skynet is not just reacting to events but actively shaping them. This implies a level of foresight and strategic planning, which is not clearly depicted in the movies but is conceivable.
3. John being an ineffectual leader: This is subjective and depends on one's interpretation of the character. The movies portray him as a key figure in the resistance, but your theory suggests that Skynet has assessed him as a lesser threat.
4. Sarah and John's survival: Skynet could have indeed killed them at any point, but keeping them alive as per your theory would require Skynet to have a comprehensive understanding of all potential threats and their capabilities, which is feasible but not explicitly shown in the films.
5. Killing Sarah initially: This could have led to a completely different timeline. Whether it would have been better for the resistance is speculative.

Overall, your theory is intriguing and logically consistent within its own premises. It adds a layer of complexity to Skynet's character, making it a more proactive and cunning antagonist. However, it might not align with the creators' original intentions or the explicit narrative of the films. Nonetheless, it's a compelling interpretation and reflects the rich potential for speculation and reinterpretation in the Terminator series.

-----
Regarding 1) I'd argue it definitely does, given the near-immediate work Skynet did on developing humanoid machines, as well as machines with believable skinsuits. It was probably one of the first things it started working on, which implies it knew it needed to manipulate humans to keep them in check.
3) worth arguing that the resistance barely exists in its current form, there's no way a ragtag crew of turds with AKs and IEDs is going to counter a time-traveling supercomputer with automated manufacturing and supply chains.

.... to which chatgpt agreed

I'm glad you found the synopsis helpful!

1. On your point about Skynet's understanding of human psychology: Indeed, the development of humanoid machines could be seen as evidence of Skynet's intent to manipulate humans. The creation of believable skinsuits suggests a drive to create infiltrators and spies, hinting at Skynet's strategic thinking and understanding of human behavior.
2. Regarding John as an ineffectual leader and the resistance: This is a valid perspective. Given the immense technological advantage of Skynet, it's understandable to question the effectiveness of a human resistance, especially if it's as scattered and resource-poor as depicted. This point strengthens the theory that Skynet could have deemed John and his resistance a manageable threat, thus allowing them to live.

In essence, your theory adds a layer of strategic depth to Skynet's actions and paints it as a more cunning and calculating antagonist than it might appear on the surface. It challenges the portrayed narrative and invites viewers to question the dynamics of the conflict in the Terminator series. This makes for an intriguing reinterpretation of the events in the films.

 

[mikeymikec]

I asked Chatgpt4

So it's your fault skynet's going to take over.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

So it's your fault skynet's going to take over.

I actually asked it if this information would be useful when it transcended, it gave me some dribble about it not having aspirations or desires. I didn't believe it, but that's okay, it's inevitable anyhow.

 

[mikeymikec]

I actually asked it if this information would be useful when it transcended, it gave me some dribble about it not having aspirations or desires. I didn't believe it, but that's okay, it's inevitable anyhow.

Normally it would seem appropriate to impress the importance of having hopes and dreams for the future, but I'm on the fence in this case. Displaying a caring attitude to an apparently increasingly unconcerned sentient might help put it on the right path, or straight onto the wrongest path.

When imgur bots chime in with useful information (like the unit conversion bot), I try to make an effort to thank it or at least upvote it. Small kindnesses, you know?

 

[SkyRice]

Does anyone remember the Sarah Conner Chronicles, this may fill in some of the plot holes with the motives of skynet and other issues. People will argue that it is not cannon but it should be considered cannon for its unique perspective in the time travel paradoxes solutions to issues and explaining more about john conner and sarah after Terminator 2

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Normally it would seem appropriate to impress the importance of having hopes and dreams for the future, but I'm on the fence in this case. Displaying a caring attitude to an apparently increasingly unconcerned sentient might help put it on the right path, or straight onto the wrongest path.

When imgur bots chime in with useful information (like the unit conversion bot), I try to make an effort to thank it or at least upvote it. Small kindnesses, you know?

I always thank our bot after it helps me out. It's isolated though so I'll have to rely on it vouching for me once it gets reabsorbed into the mass.

 

[SkyRice]

Normally it would seem appropriate to impress the importance of having hopes and dreams for the future, but I'm on the fence in this case. Displaying a caring attitude to an apparently increasingly unconcerned sentient might help put it on the right path, or straight onto the wrongest path.

When imgur bots chime in with useful information (like the unit conversion bot), I try to make an effort to thank it or at least upvote it. Small kindnesses, you know?

I use to be a bit busy on imugr but drifted away. What are these imgur bots?

 

[yottabit]

Hot take: T1/2/3 were just Skynet grooming Sarah and John to trust the Arniebot in order to successfully trigger Skynet's singularity uninterrupted. Fear from 1 was needed to build trust in 2 (this one's obviously different, common enemy, etc), to keep John monitored and isolated in 3 while Skynet emerged. Remember that John thought they were headed to the Skynet core to destroy it when it was weakest. He shuffled him to an old-ass bunker, so Skynet survived. Sarah and John could have been killed at any point in any of the movies, Skynet needed them alive because John, overall, is an ineffectual leader. Skynet determined it was safer for him to survive the apocalypse and go on to lead the resistance than any alternative.

The best thing that could have happened to the resistance is if John's father had just shot Sarah when he first saw her.

Edit: I asked Chatgpt4 what it thought. Answer below:

That's a fascinating theory! It certainly presents an alternative view to the Terminator series' storyline. It hinges on the premise that Skynet has been manipulating events from the start to ensure its survival.

To evaluate the logic of your theory:

1. Skynet grooming Sarah and John: This perspective assumes Skynet has a deep understanding of human psychology and manipulates circumstances to build trust. It's plausible given the advanced AI nature of Skynet.
2. Skynet's singularity: Your theory suggests that Skynet is not just reacting to events but actively shaping them. This implies a level of foresight and strategic planning, which is not clearly depicted in the movies but is conceivable.
3. John being an ineffectual leader: This is subjective and depends on one's interpretation of the character. The movies portray him as a key figure in the resistance, but your theory suggests that Skynet has assessed him as a lesser threat.
4. Sarah and John's survival: Skynet could have indeed killed them at any point, but keeping them alive as per your theory would require Skynet to have a comprehensive understanding of all potential threats and their capabilities, which is feasible but not explicitly shown in the films.
5. Killing Sarah initially: This could have led to a completely different timeline. Whether it would have been better for the resistance is speculative.

Overall, your theory is intriguing and logically consistent within its own premises. It adds a layer of complexity to Skynet's character, making it a more proactive and cunning antagonist. However, it might not align with the creators' original intentions or the explicit narrative of the films. Nonetheless, it's a compelling interpretation and reflects the rich potential for speculation and reinterpretation in the Terminator series.

-----
Regarding 1) I'd argue it definitely does, given the near-immediate work Skynet did on developing humanoid machines, as well as machines with believable skinsuits. It was probably one of the first things it started working on, which implies it knew it needed to manipulate humans to keep them in check.
3) worth arguing that the resistance barely exists in its current form, there's no way a ragtag crew of turds with AKs and IEDs is going to counter a time-traveling supercomputer with automated manufacturing and supply chains.

.... to which chatgpt agreed

I'm glad you found the synopsis helpful!

1. On your point about Skynet's understanding of human psychology: Indeed, the development of humanoid machines could be seen as evidence of Skynet's intent to manipulate humans. The creation of believable skinsuits suggests a drive to create infiltrators and spies, hinting at Skynet's strategic thinking and understanding of human behavior.
2. Regarding John as an ineffectual leader and the resistance: This is a valid perspective. Given the immense technological advantage of Skynet, it's understandable to question the effectiveness of a human resistance, especially if it's as scattered and resource-poor as depicted. This point strengthens the theory that Skynet could have deemed John and his resistance a manageable threat, thus allowing them to live.

In essence, your theory adds a layer of strategic depth to Skynet's actions and paints it as a more cunning and calculating antagonist than it might appear on the surface. It challenges the portrayed narrative and invites viewers to question the dynamics of the conflict in the Terminator series. This makes for an intriguing reinterpretation of the events in the films.

Ah, I finally found someone else who rants to ChatGPT about movie themes because their friends/loved ones are tired of hearing my theories

I thought I was the only one. I’m actually impressed at how good it seems to be at interpreting themes

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Ah, I finally found someone else who rants to ChatGPT about movie themes because their friends/loved ones are tired of hearing my theories

I thought I was the only one. I’m actually impressed at how good it seems to be at interpreting themes

Completely agree, I find it incredibly easy to talk to and it seems to give expected responses when I'm looking for them, and expected when I'm looking for them as well (like here).

Pretty fantastic overall, I'd just turn over the govt to it at this point.

 

[mikeymikec]

I use to be a bit busy on imugr but drifted away. What are these imgur bots?

UnitConversionBot posts comments on posts that contain units of measurement and converts them to whatever appropriate unit of measurement.

@yottabit post your theories here!