A valid point / Writer’s block No. 23,050

typed for your pleasure on 4 May 2007, at 12.59 pm

Sdtrk: ‘Decades’ by Joy division

In doing some research on my Most Favourite Subject, this quote by roboticist David Hanson from an article last year in the Toronto Star stood out:

‘If we don’t give [robots] faces, if we don’t teach them how to be a part of the human family in the future, then they will be cold and faceless and they will be scary. They’ll jeopardize our existence on this planet,’ he says. ‘We need to start planting the seeds in the technology of compassion and wisdom.’

‘Otherwise they will just be ruthless.’
the rest of the article is here

In other news, I’m at almost a total loss as to what to write about next, as evidenced by the subj.title. This happens every now and again; I just have to dig in my spurs and ride it out. Something will come up, I’m sure. Right?

Technorati tags: Android, Gynoid, Synthetik, David Hanson

Random similar posts, for more timewasting:

Any Synthetiks-related news, Davecat? (Jul 2005) on July 10th, 2005

Your One-stop Gynoid Shrine on October 31st, 2005

3 have spoken to “A valid point / Writer’s block No. 23,050”

  1. Mahtek writes:

    Without humanity, it is a machine. With it, it is an android or gynoid. Which do we want to determine our fate. A machine (disfuctional/eliminate, in error/correct, usefull/waste) or a gynoid (disfunctional/direct, in error/educate, appreciate value).

    One only has to look at the automation of industry to see how machines replace people. We need and’ and gynoids to work with us and enhance our lives.

  2. Davecat writes:

    It’s like I always say — technology is a tool, and tools are inherently neither good nor evil. But if we take the developing artificial intelligence that Androids and Gynoids will have, and shape it so it performs in a basic human fashion, then Organik humans will be less fearful of it, and more accepting. That which seems alien at first will eventually become commonplace — that’s the goal.

  3. SafeTinspector writes:

    “Otherwise they will just be ruthless”

    Because, of course, there are no pretty people who are ruthless. 🙂

    Seriously, robots will be ruthless or benign based on design and precaution, not on how pleasant they look. And as for replacing us: shit, I hope we can get some AI replacements together in time to take our place when we whack ourselves. Not likely, considering our poor rate of progress on true AI research, but I hope nonetheless.
    Whats more depressing than a world with just robots?
    A world with NO ONE.

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