I'm sorry, but what even is that?

Mom and Jess both look at you with a feeling of confusion, which quickly turns into realization as they have to explain something they already know to somebody who doesn't already know. It's frustrating, but understandable in the moment.

"Sorry, Jason. We'll explain." Mom said with a reserved sigh. She adjusted in her seat to face me more directly at the dining table, and just started to speak. It's a miracle that I even managed to comprehend what she as saying.

"To simplify this as best as we can: Philosophical Zombies, or P-Zombies as they are more commonly called, are supposed to be these theoretical concepts. Essentially, they are human beings that simply do not have subjectivity. They have no prejudice, no bias, no opinion, nothing that makes them... well, human."

I stood up from the my seat in disbelief and confusion, trying to digest what was being said. I asked the very logical question "Wait, how is that possible? Both of you have opinions and your own thoughts. Are you saying none of that is real?"

Jess chimed in and said "That's just it, Jason. We don't. We can't. Everything that makes a human being think and act like a human being, are things we can't do. So in order to blend in with the society and, you know, NOT seem like two weirdos, we simply pretend that we have those things."

"It's like AI, in a way." Mom continued "Artificial Intelligence is incapable of being human, it's only capable of mimicking humans, based on what information humans give it."

"We're the same way. We just looked at what humans did, and then figured out how to blend in with them based on that information." Jess said finishing our mother' line of logic.

It felt as though I was standing there numb, for an eternity. There was so much information that was racing through my mind, and I felt as though I was going to faint. I could feel my brain beginning to short circuit trying to understand the unbelievable bombshell that was just dropped onto my head this early in the morning. What did it all mean? What does that say about me? Am I the same? How can I tell? Am I human? Are they human? What do I do with this information? Do I call the police? Do I call the army? What do I-

"Jason."

All of a sudden, I snapped back to reality and began to calm down. I saw that my beautiful mother had leaned over and grabbed my hand, while my sister had gotten up from her chair and managed to start rubbing my back and shoulders to calm me down. These girls knew me well, and I loved them deeply, and I was so thankful for their presence at this time.

"I have so many questions for both of you. I don't know where to start."

Mom looked at me and gave me the warmest and kindest smile I could imagine. I wanted to kiss her right then and there, but I knew it wasn't going to be appropriate. So I simply waited for her response.

"Ask us anything. We are here to help."