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If I buy or build a robot "pet" that is programmed to act curious and friendly, and I personally derive pleasure from watching it and interacting with it, any s
by RodgerTheGreat 8y ago
If I buy or build a robot "pet" that is programmed to act curious and friendly, and I personally derive pleasure from watching it and interacting with it, any sense of companionship I feel is legitimate, whether or not someone else wants to classify it as "love".
When it comes to robotic companions, the real thing to be wary of is whether or not it's actually your robot. An Alexa, for example, is a sales and marketing organ of Amazon, and any attempt at eliciting a sense of personality is in service of that device gathering information about you and using it to sell you stuff.
Twitter accounts for brands are not companions. The chatbot on your travel booking website is not a companion. Irrespective of any technology described as "AI" behind it, Alexa is structurally not a companion.
- laHiesh1 8y agoI can't wait until Amazon launches genetically modified pets that try to sell you things. Dog opens it's mouth and speaks pre-programmed phrase. "Show how much you love your pet and buy Amazon premium++ dog food, now half price!"
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- 8note 8y ago=> one that requires you to buy it dog food, and can auto-order more when it notices the bag getting low and when he's been a good boy, it auto orders fancier treats
- mirimir 8y agoSee Ellison's A Boy and His Dog. Vic's dog Blood expects lots more than "premium++ dog food".
- taneq 8y agoSame with modern mobile phones. They may be a 'companion' in the sense that they're constantly with you, but they are in no way your friend.