Consider this an addendum to my previous post concerning the use of robot babies in Mexico.
Researchers in six European countries have undertaken a 2.3 million Euro project (that's $3,031,149.46 for today's exchange rate) whose goal is to build robots that "learn from humans and respond in a socially and emotionally appropriate manner".
From the article: "The project involves building a series of robots that can take sensory input from the humans they are interacting with and then adapt their behaviour accordingly."
This involves feeding the robots sensory input, teaching them the ability to detect facial expressions, and even programming them so that they will imprint on the first object (human) they see.
So far the researchers have been using only "simple" robots, in some cases, off-the-shelf products. (You go! Maximize those European research, er, Euros!) However, something tells me it won't be long before they start playing with bigger, more potentially lethal machines. (Don't they ever learn???)
But back to the the robot babies. It's not a huge jump to the point where we'll start seeing this adaptive knowledge programmed into the little tykes they're doling out to the teenagers in Chihuahua, et. al. Then who's to say that robot changelings aren't next? (If it worked for fairies and ghouls, why not 'bots?) Project this out to its logical conclusion: not only will the robots be scaring the kids out of having sex, but they'll be replacing little bundles of joy right in the cradle.
With a little luck, maybe there's still time to build in the appropriate switches.
2.23.2007
2.22.2007
Sex Ed 2.0
The Best Intentions Update:
From News.com.au comes this new insidious threat to humanity. Educators in the Mexican state of Chihuahua have begun an effort to use robot babies to reduce teen pregnancies.
From the article:
"Pairs of teenage boys and girls aged 13 to 17 have to spend two or three days tending to the computerised babies, programmed to cry for food, burp and wake up screaming at night until they are rocked back to sleep."
and
"Students in Chihuahua are mostly horrified at the amount of work involved in looking after a baby, which they take home at night, Mr (Pilar) Huidobro said."
You heard it right: they're horrified. Three cheers for negative reinforcement!
Now, some might look at this as a good thing. Obviously, a program such as this can be beneficial in that it teaches teenagers to be more sexually responsible.
However, other more cynical minds, like those of us at Robot Doom, choose to look at this another way:
This is nothing short of a robotic attempt at human eugenics.
Threat Rating: 6
Why waste time and resources actively exterminating humanity when you can just campaign for safe sex? Seriously, what better way for the 'bots to ensure our demise than to just convince future generations of humans not to procreate?
We're onto you robots, oh, we're onto you...
From News.com.au comes this new insidious threat to humanity. Educators in the Mexican state of Chihuahua have begun an effort to use robot babies to reduce teen pregnancies.
From the article:
"Pairs of teenage boys and girls aged 13 to 17 have to spend two or three days tending to the computerised babies, programmed to cry for food, burp and wake up screaming at night until they are rocked back to sleep."
and
"Students in Chihuahua are mostly horrified at the amount of work involved in looking after a baby, which they take home at night, Mr (Pilar) Huidobro said."
You heard it right: they're horrified. Three cheers for negative reinforcement!
Now, some might look at this as a good thing. Obviously, a program such as this can be beneficial in that it teaches teenagers to be more sexually responsible.
However, other more cynical minds, like those of us at Robot Doom, choose to look at this another way:
This is nothing short of a robotic attempt at human eugenics.
Threat Rating: 6
Why waste time and resources actively exterminating humanity when you can just campaign for safe sex? Seriously, what better way for the 'bots to ensure our demise than to just convince future generations of humans not to procreate?
We're onto you robots, oh, we're onto you...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)