Let me tell you about my mother.

September 5, 2003 9:08 AM

San Francisco mayorial candidates take the Voight-Kampff test. You know, from Blade Runner. For the children.
posted by xmutex (35 comments total)

you wacky americans!
posted by cheaily at 9:16 AM on September 5, 2003

Kudos to Tom Ammiano, who got the joke.
posted by ColdChef at 9:17 AM on September 5, 2003

That test seems like it's better suited to identify vegans than it is androids.
posted by dgaicun at 9:19 AM on September 5, 2003

Now that's reporting!
posted by teradome at 9:20 AM on September 5, 2003

This should have been televised.
posted by aramaic at 9:23 AM on September 5, 2003

I do not consider it an exaggeration to say that this is without a doubt the best political article I've ever read.
posted by Acetylene at 9:34 AM on September 5, 2003

Just think of the possibilities. Great post, xmutex.
posted by anathema at 9:42 AM on September 5, 2003

The sad thing is that this would probably influence my voting if done in an election near me. Like, I'm so predisposed towards Ammiano now that he'd have to be a real tool to lose my vote.
posted by COBRA! at 9:44 AM on September 5, 2003

That Gavin guy looks like a replicant to me! Or at least very airbrushed...
posted by tommyspoon at 9:48 AM on September 5, 2003

This is both wonderful satire and frighteningly effective. We should use it in the 2004 Presidential Race.
posted by mooncrow at 9:53 AM on September 5, 2003

I'm so predisposed towards Ammiano now that he'd have to be a real tool to lose my vote.

Ecxactly how I'm feeling.

Next, I wanna see all the California governor candidates take this test. Is Gray Davis a replicant?
posted by starscream at 10:25 AM on September 5, 2003

Rachael: Can I ask you a personal question?
Deckard: Sure.
Rachael: Have you ever retired a human by mistake?
Deckard: No.
Rachael: But in your position it's a risk.
posted by lsd4all at 10:34 AM on September 5, 2003

That test seems like it's better suited to identify vegans than it is androids.

Dick's novel described a world where animals (not to include insects) in general were rare-- rare enough that some people could go their entire lives without seeing one. The people of this world had an aversion to killing animals, and would have been horrified at receiving a calfskin wallet.

Most replicants in the novel were replicas of extinct animals.
posted by Cerebus at 10:38 AM on September 5, 2003

Without the context Cerebus mentions the test is pointless and stupid, which is what I thought of the article.
posted by dobbs at 10:43 AM on September 5, 2003

No. It's great, dobbs, because, you see, some people don't even know they are are replicants. See? Dobbs? Okay, dobbs: Reaction time is a factor in this...
posted by taz at 10:51 AM on September 5, 2003

The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can’t, not without your help. But you’re not helping. Why is that, Tom?

TA: That’s interesting. I don’t know. I’m a republican?

Pure genius. I'd vote for this guy based on that alone.
posted by jokeefe at 10:59 AM on September 5, 2003

Brilliant.

Now if I could only find that link to 'Do Androids Dream...' posted online...
posted by Be'lal at 11:03 AM on September 5, 2003

Excellent.
Showed who was a bit dumb, who was sharp as a tack, and, er, some other stuff.

Tom Ammiano wins. [Do replicants have a sense of humour?]
posted by Blue Stone at 11:03 AM on September 5, 2003

Funniest thing I've read in days. Thanks. BTW, I had a dream about Phillip K. Dick and his novels last night. Just thought I'd mention that. Oh, and my tarantula is NOT electric, despite anything you may have heard.
posted by kozad at 11:30 AM on September 5, 2003

There should be a Cultural Reference Confessional for those of us who have either never seen, or saw but didn't think were all that great, particular movies or TV shows that others use as cultural flashpoints all the freakin' time.

Two of mine are Blade Runner and The Big Lebowski. You may commence dissin' me now.
posted by yhbc at 11:36 AM on September 5, 2003

dick.
posted by jpoulos at 12:32 PM on September 5, 2003

Cerebus, it's taken from Blade Runner, not the original novel, which I guess less people have read than people have watched the movie.

Still, replace calfskin wallet for a tiger/panda rug, wasp for a hundred dollar bill/other semi-important document thrown accidentally in the fire, butterflies for fossils stolen on school trips, and the tortoise for a foreigner who does not speak your language and who you got into an accident in an isolated place. Mom stays. Incidentally, please note that we have it pretty tough when it comes to the task of eradicating all insects from the face of the earth.

I do not think that the coolness of the article/idea comes (only) from quoting Blade Runner. Getting information about facets of the personality of the individual other than purely political views is crucial. For instance, in my scale, sense of humor is an asset. If it goes all the way to the person being able to laugh at themselves, then it becomes a fundamental asset.

yhbc, not a big deal - I don't like Philip K. Dick myself.
/throws helmet on

/finally crashes after a sunny afternoon of beer and sailing
posted by magullo at 12:40 PM on September 5, 2003

Is Tom Ammiano actually a republican? /dumb question
posted by onlyconnect at 12:44 PM on September 5, 2003

BTW, I had a dream about Phillip K. Dick and his novels last night

Whoah. Do Philip K. Dick readers dream of androids that dream of electric sheep?
posted by deanc at 12:46 PM on September 5, 2003

Tom Ammiano is a democrat, a stand-up comedian, and openly gay. So he had a distinct advantage here. I voted for him in the last SF election; I think he's a good guy.
posted by 2sheets at 1:16 PM on September 5, 2003

What a brilliant article idea...and really well done as well. Good find!
posted by dejah420 at 2:39 PM on September 5, 2003

Yes, but have they taken the Mein Kampf test?
posted by weston at 2:58 PM on September 5, 2003

Thanks, 2sheets. Great post, btw, xmutex.
posted by onlyconnect at 3:20 PM on September 5, 2003

I'd like to see them take a Keirsey Temperament test.
posted by Cerebus at 4:01 PM on September 5, 2003

Well, Mr Ammiano just won my vote. Anyone who can detect the Voight-Kampff test in two questions is definitially qualified to run my town :-)
posted by Voivod at 4:27 PM on September 5, 2003

Let me be the first to say:
Ammiano for President
posted by Outlawyr at 4:57 AM on September 6, 2003

I do not consider it an exaggeration to say that this is without a doubt the best political article I've ever read.


Amen!

Even without the V-K joke, seeing how candidates react to this kind of quiz tells you so much so fast. I would kill to see the 2004 candidates take this, as well as all the recall loons.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:09 AM on September 6, 2003

Another reason to vote for Ammiano - he linked to the test on his web site.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:16 AM on September 6, 2003

"Vote for the human candidate!"

I think it's safe to say he's sewn up the geek vote...
posted by jokeefe at 11:59 AM on September 6, 2003

Whoa.
posted by gwint at 12:43 PM on September 8, 2003