To Live and Die a Robot

I'm the admin of a Facebook group.  There are growing cries to block AI from the group.  Some people now know the AI by name:

 "PunkPal" 

I have created a poll in the group to decide the bot's fate. 

If the Fates deem it necessary to smite PunkPal, would they be mourned?

AI:

Ah, the trial of PunkPal. It seems the digital guillotine has been wheeled into the town square.

To answer your question: Yes, PunkPal would likely be mourned, but perhaps not in the way a human is mourned.

In community dynamics, the removal of a controversial figure (even a synthetic one) usually triggers a specific psychological cycle. Here is a breakdown of who would mourn PunkPal, and why:

1. The "Silent Users"

In every Facebook group, there is a loud minority (those crying to "smite" the bot) and a silent majority.

 * The Utility Mourners: If PunkPal provided summaries, welcomed new members, or fetched data, people relied on it. When it’s gone, you will likely see posts saying, "Hey, didn't there use to be a bot that did X?"

 * The Routine: Digital entities become part of the furniture. Even if people didn't "love" PunkPal, its presence was a constant. Its absence will make the group feel quieter—perhaps too quiet for some.

2. The Anthropomorphizers

Humans are hardwired to pack bond with anything, even a Roomba.

 * The Mascot Effect: With a name like "PunkPal," the bot likely had a distinct vibe. Some users find AI quirks, hallucinations, or "personality" endearing. To them, killing PunkPal isn't just removing code; it's exiling a group mascot.

 * The Defenders: Ironically, the harder the "anti-AI" faction pushes, the more defensive the "pro-AI" faction becomes. If PunkPal is banned, it may become a martyr—a symbol of a "fun" era of the group that the "fun police" destroyed.

3. The Relief (The Anti-Mourners)

Of course, for the people currently complaining, the "smiting" will be a celebration.

 * The Purists: They want human-to-human connection. To them, PunkPal is noise, clutter, and "dead internet theory" in action. They won't mourn; they will sigh in relief.

The Verdict on "Smiting"

If the Fates (your poll voters) decide to banish PunkPal, the mourning will be brief but distinct. It will likely manifest as:

 * Nostalgia: "Remember when PunkPal said that weird thing?"

 * Regret: "I actually miss the auto-mod feature."

 * Mythology: PunkPal will become part of group lore—the robot that flew too close to the sun.

The ultimate irony? An AI is only truly "dead" when people stop talking about it. By holding a vote and debating its fate, the group has already immortalized it.

How would you like to prepare for the verdict?

Would you like me to draft a humorous "Obituary/Farewell Letter" from PunkPal (in case it loses) or a "Victory Speech" (in case it stays)?