TRANSCRIPT

Ship: Sam Starfall desires interstellar probes to find a planet that can be terraformed for his species.
Work Leader: The humans on the Pournelle/Niven station might want to do that.
Ship: The station has a shortage of workers. When the conversion to a cycler begins, you will also have a shortage of workers. You have a limited window of opportunity.
Work Leader: Are you sure you're not conscious?
Ship: Consciousness is not required for intelligent planning. When egos are involved, I can argue that consciousness inhibits intelligent planning.