Robot characters who are given names like SL-308-62 but instead of their human friend going Well let’s call you Sally for short, they instead ask the other if they Like their current name.
“Do you like your serial number?” they ask. “Yes, quite. It reminds me of who I am” the robot replies. “I have heard others like me go by different names after some time, and maybe one day I’ll choose one for myself, too. But right now that is my full name, yes” they continue.
Because it’s not your decision to make whether or not the robot will receive a new name. It should be theirs only. What’s the difference? One is more complex and the other is simplified. They were both given by strangers instead of themselves.
“62 will do,” they conclude. “It’s my model number - there will be no other 62 after me.”
Robots who instead start assigning numbers to their human friends
“Not that I mind,” I tell SL-308-62 one afternoon as we enjoy our shared lunch break (I have my packed lunch, and 62 has connected themself to their portable power bank) “but why do your call me ‘four’?”
The LEDs along 62’s appendages twinkle- a tell that they’re mulling over an answer.
“It’s a nickname,” they explain, “you are my fourth acquaintance aboard the station, and I’ve assigned you a serial number. Your full designation is F-001-04.”
“What does the ‘F’ stand for?” I ask, curious and charmed.
“Friend,” SL-308-62 says, their tone fond. “It stands for friend.”