"Programmed for Love: The Unsettling Future of Robotics

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conundrum
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21 Jan 2011, 8:11 pm

http://chronicle.com/article/Programmed ... he/125922/

Here's a sample from this article:

Quote:

...a young man named Anthony, who, in Levy's words, "tried having girlfriends but found that he preferred relationships with computers." Levy sent a copy of the book to Turkle, hoping she would pass it along to Anthony and believing that he would find it encouraging.

Turkle was not pleased. She expresses frustration with the notion that Anthony would be happier with a robot than with gaining the social skills necessary to connect with a human companion.

"David Levy is saying: For someone who is having trouble with the people world, I can build something. Let's give up on him. I have something where he will not need relationships, experiences, and conversations. So let's not worry for him. For a whole class of people, we don't have to worry about relationships, experiences, and conversations. We can just issue them something."

I guess the argument could be made either way: might some people prefer this, or is the notion insulting?

Regarding the rest of the article: any thoughts about our "attachment" to technology?

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Bethie
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21 Jan 2011, 9:24 pm

I think it's sad that someone would PREFER a robot to human interaction,
but the view that everyone can become attractive enough to form associations is just silly.
As a fat/ugly female Aspie who's socially inept,
I'd love to have a robot for conversation and affection.

:oops:

Levy: "What I am saying is that it is better for the 'outcasts' to be able to have a relationship with a robot than to have no relationship at all."

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auntblabby
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22 Jan 2011, 12:10 am

what a world. :roll:

Asp-Z
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22 Jan 2011, 5:45 am

I'm crap with people but fairly good with computers so I'm fascinated by this concept. That said, having a relationship with a robot would obviously be really weird... But, then, in the future, it'll probably become more and more acceptable over time.

I dunno, I wouldn't jump to buy some kind of girlfriend robot, but the idea is interesting IMO.

Moog
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22 Jan 2011, 6:42 am

I'm currently in quite a deep relationship with technology, as most of us are. I guess this is another area of depth to explore. I would urge the chap to attempt to learn some social skills so he can have relationships with humans too.

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conundrum
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22 Jan 2011, 3:10 pm

Moog wrote:

So as long as it's some of both, both could work. Good point.

Brianm
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23 Jan 2011, 3:18 am

I would much wrather deal with a robot than a person. When I'm with people something seems to always go wrong.

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