Inspired by Alberto's post on pranking, mocking
Humor is already a deeply human experience, one that (similar to how we judge creativity in robots - as referred to in lecture 2) depends on a common frame of reference. Something is funny, not only because it is absurd or completely random, but because it cleverly plays on common references (otherwise it can be inappropriate). Mocking and pranking especially is an active act of deceiving someone. And it tells a lot about the relation between the mocker and the mocked. Is the person building up to the moment of collective resolution and having a good laugh together? Or is the one mocking using this as a demonstration of power, leaving the mocked person hurt and isolated, rather than feeling "in" on the joke - laughing about it together?
Trailbot - microcontroller, fur, electronics and wheels
A small indistinct furball moves slowly and aimlessly in space. When a person walks in front, Teaserbot begins to trail that person, keeping up with their pace. As soon as the person turns around to see who’s following, Teaserbot quickly looks away and moves slowly to any other random direction, avoiding eye contact with the target and acting as inconspicuous as possible (as if it’s certainly only minding its own business), while actually looking suspiciously lost. If the target continues their way, so will Trailbot pick up its pace and continue to follow them. The longer Trailbot follows its target, the more it moves in accelerated undulating wavy paths or putting up a little light show (as if mocking the person in front for not noticing that they are being followed, a slight provocation).
What it tells us about mocking
The example illustrates mocking as a form of cheeky misbehavior. Trailbot could even be throwing a small harmless object at the person while following, or making a sound - either of them as if teasing the target, well knowing that it will eventually be found out. And yet it continues to follow more and more daringly as if in giggly anticipation of that eventual moment of fun resolution. Maybe freezing and laughing when definitely caught is even the most human part of a pranking / mocking action.