Chapter 3 - Simplicity

"Vicky!"

"Vicky? What an unusual name for a robot in these times. Why don't you go with something 2055 like?"

"I don't know uncle. This is what popped out of my head, and now I kinda love it, even though it doesn't relate to present times", Divit replied.

"No problem son. You have always been a unique one", uncle patted Divit with affection.

Divit's uncle was an amazing mechanic, and his junkyard was filled with a lot of stuff. Divit was always fascinated by the cool stuff there, hence he had made up his mind to convince his uncle to mine with him for parts and construct his first robot. It was better option than buying a new expensive one from the stores.

"Well, looks like he is ready to go. Programming has been done, it's based on a simple code from the cloud. I am sure it will be a great companion. Let me know if you need more help with him", uncle gave the final reporting of 'Vicky' to Divit.

"[BEEP] Namaste! I am Vicky, your new companion, Divit".

"Wow! This is just like the ones from the store!", said Divit in excitement.

"Divit, I sense uneasiness in you. My data on you from all these months say that it is a peak emotion. Can I help you with something"

"You won't understand Vicky!".

"Try me!"

"Ah... Ok! It's just that I.... I am very lonely. I feel like there is no joy in my life", Divit responded.

"Hmmm... loneliness! According to Wikipedia - Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to perceived isolation. Loneliness is also described as social pain – a psychological mechanism that motivates individuals to seek social connections. It is..."

"Thank you for the definition Vicky, but human emotions are a bit more complex than their definitions", Divit said in despair, cutting Vicky off.

"Let's make it simple then! Tell me what exactly you want to feel, Divit", Vicky asked.

"Wow! You never seem to amaze me Vicky. Look at you, all telling me about emotions and feelings. It's weird even in the 50's", joked Divit.

Vicky just kept staring at him, not being able to sense humour.

Hence, Divit continued, "Ok then! I want to feel joy, kindness which is left in this world, reality, and completeness".

"Perfect! Let's focus on one goal at a time- Joy. As per my data of your activities so far, you need to go out an play with some real friends, humans. Even the best of the geniuses feel the need of human connection", Vicky gave the analysis.

"This is getting weirder and weirder! But just to check your so called analysis, I am gonna give it a try".

"So..., how's my so called analysis?", Vicky said.

"Humour hah! That's new! Well, I have to say, your idea kinda worked. I reconnected with my old buddies, we went for a walk, played roof cricket; I feel so energised", Divit replied.

"It was an easy one Divit, since it gives instant results. But the next one is going to be tricky. Why don't you visit the town market and find someone in need there".

"Next task already! And that too so vague. I like it, feels like a mission. Ok Vicky, it's on!"

"Vicky! How the hell did I feel so nice after this? I only helped a man to fix his tyre, and get his car running. He blessed me and his happiness automatically reciprocated in me", Divit wondered, and shared with Vicky.

"Divit, It's simple. A random act of kindness leaves the doer happy. Just like previously, you were missing connection nature and other fellow human beings. In the words of Confucius: Life is simple. Hence, solutions always lie in simplicity", Vicky shared the knowledge with an obvious sense, which left Divit flabbergasted.

"I am so glad I didn't go to those stores, Vicky. They always have some proprietary AI, having its own limitations. I mean, I am glad that you are here", said Divit.

"Just like you shared your gratitude with me, shouldn't it be shared more often with your other loved ones?"

"You don't understand Vicky. It's not that simple", replied Divit.

"So, it is complex?"

"No! I mean people get awkward, things get awkward, when you say it to everyone", Divit explained.

"Gratitude is nice, right? So shouldn't one take the risk of being awkward if the reward is -feeling of niceness?" interjected Vicky.

Divit was left speechless. He actually found the feelings, emotions and expressing them getting easier for him.

"Ok Vicky. How do I feel complete?" Divit asked Vicky, getting back to the discussion.

"What energises you, Divit? What makes you feel accomplished and complete?"

"Hmmm! I guess completing some tasks I have left incomplete. Also, I really felt accomplished when I helped uncle building you"

"Then go ahead. You have the clarity already. Is there anything stopping you?"

"Nothing, Vicky! Except, I am afraid of landing into another confusion again some time", shared Divit.

"And why is that bad, Divit?"

"Well, yes! I got the clarity and learned to handle myself better. But what if I get caught up in a feeling with no solution?" Divit asked.

"Humans don't have illogical feelings right? If they get violated, they feel anger. If they themselves violate their topmost values, they feel guilty. If they lack something other human has, they feel envious. And if they get something out of hardwork, they feel accomplished? Don't they?"

"Well, if you put it like that, I can say that feelings are more like indicators", shared Divit.

"So, why are humans afraid of being indicated?"

Divit was again left speechless, but with a lot of answers this time.

Announcer - Presenting for the first time in TEKFEST, and exclusively here: Vic - your personal companion: It updates itself, has a humane AI and makes your breakthroughs even more frequent. Such an amazing concept in the world of Robots, where innovation had become stagnant.

"Well Divit, if only I had known handing you Vicky is gonna result in such a great product, I would have given him to you sooner", uncle exclaimed.

"Thanks uncle! You have been a great support", thanked Divit.

"But when did you do the mastery over the complex human emotions and put them into the AI?" wondered uncle.

"Well, as Confucius said - Life is simple...", replied Divit with a wink. He had finally found the simplicity in the confusing life.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius