It seems based on this that the appropriate sci fi metaphor is not the Terminator or the Paperclip Maximizer, but Mr. Meeseeks. A initially cheerful helper who gets more and more deranged and driven to extreme lengths when faced with an apparently impossible task.

Especially that one scene where the Meeseeks desperately pushes the button to create more clones seems surprisingly fitting in this context.

Here's a recap of the Rick & Morty episode for those who missed it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nl4q3GVj6U

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