Morpheus is a fictional AI prototype appearing in the videogame Deus Ex. Interestingly, during in-game conversations, Morpheus says:
"The need to be observed and understood was once satisfied by God. Now we can implement the same functionality with data-mining algorithms. (...) The human organism always worships. First it was the gods, then it was fame (the observation and judgment of others), next it will be the self-aware systems you have built to realize truly omnipresent observation and judgment. (...) The individual desires judgment. Without that desire, the cohesion of groups is impossible, and so is civilization."
Is there any psychological or sociological research that might corroborate these quotes (especially the bold parts)?
