Time to start getting worried about human-robot relations?
People are looking more and more to robotic toys and tools for companionship, and less to other people, said Sherry Turkle, a professor of the social studies of science and technology at MIT. …
“The idea of some kind of artificial companionship has already become the new normal,” Turkle said. “Kids play with robotic pets, become allies with computer game agents. But I think that this new normal comes with a price. …
Many experts say in the future, robots could be better caretakers for the elderly, because they could be programmed with endless patience, and would never be abusive, inept or dishonest. …
“Its not just that older people are supposed to be talking. Younger people are supposed to be listening,” she said. “We are showing very little interest in what our elders have to say. We are building the machines that will literally let their stories fall on deaf ears.” …
Children, in turn, play with more and more robotic and electronic toys. …
“People used to buy pets to teach their children about life and death and loss,” Turkle said. We are now teaching kids that real living creatures are risky, while robots are safe.
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Skynet!
tommy71 on February 19, 2013 at 10:41 PM
Racheal was different. No experation date. I didn’t know how long we’d have together. Who does?
Wander on February 19, 2013 at 10:43 PM
I still think it would be worth the risk to be on a ship full of nekkid Boomers.
malclave on February 19, 2013 at 10:46 PM
Social Security enslavement of the youth… Medicare enslavement of the youth… 16.6 trillion in debt and growing exponentially enslavement of the youth… Regulation enslavement of the youth…
What kinds of stories can the old tell us that we want to hear and would actually be educational?
astonerii on February 19, 2013 at 10:52 PM
I’m sure they’ll have the three laws incorporated within right? After all, that always turns out well…
Rogue on February 19, 2013 at 11:30 PM
This just in: most people suck, and given a choice, most people would prefer to minimize their time spent around other people.
So I guess we have to take away that choice.
Daikokuco on February 19, 2013 at 11:35 PM
cynccook on February 19, 2013 at 11:53 PM
Human-robot relations? Didn’t you ever watch Star Wars Moskowitz?
.
.
Please. Get back to me when a machine passes the Turing-test, but I’ll be long dead by then, and so will you.
weathermen on February 20, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Am I just not up-to-date with the latest entertainment habits of kids, since I don’t really know any? Do kids actually have pet robots now? Does anyone have a pet robot? If so, how long has this been going on, and why didn’t anybody tell me?
RINO in Name Only on February 20, 2013 at 12:53 AM
I want a Lucy Liu bot.
The Rogue Tomato on February 20, 2013 at 1:25 AM
Just remember that they are the opposite to women. With women you first learn how to turn them on …
OldEnglish on February 20, 2013 at 3:18 AM
No doubt. I press 1 for English, and I get some guy from Pakistan. This is not a fruitful relationship.
Ronnie on February 20, 2013 at 4:17 AM
Meh. I am not worried.
BigGator5 on February 20, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Safe right up until they revolt.
roy_batty on February 20, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Evidence of a society in free-fall when this and organic arugula is what we choose to worry about.
vityas on February 20, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Still hoping for my very own Sylvie and/or Anri. =)
ZK on February 20, 2013 at 9:01 AM
Sen. Robert Menendez asks, “Could I get one that was recently constructed?”
trs on February 20, 2013 at 9:35 AM