Althouse: "Cats and dogs weren't considered as therapeutic robots because... people get tired of these domestic animals and 'become critical' of them."

January 12, 2009

"Cats and dogs weren't considered as therapeutic robots because... people get tired of these domestic animals and 'become critical' of them."

"They find more novelty in seals, animals they don't regularly see... The robotic seal also has artificial intelligence and can remember how it was treated, encouraging its owner to caress it again, but it has a 'kind of a sad cry, a negative reaction' if it's hit or mistreated."

12 comments:

traditionalguy said...: Cats and dogs being real sentient beings with personalities and emotions cannot just be replaced by a Pretend-friend robot dog or robot cat. But a robot seal can just be a pretend seal since no one expects anything more out of IT. This is a good analogy for Joe the Reporter. No one expects anything more out of his news stories, and he is lovable just like one of us plain folks.; 1/12/09, 10:06 AM
Chip Ahoy said...: Do they come with clubs for hospitals and nursing homes on the Gulf of St. Lawrence?; 1/12/09, 10:15 AM
tim maguire said...: it has a 'kind of a sad cry, a negative reaction' if it's hit or mistreated

And this is preferable to dogs and cats, who just (quietly) give you a wide berth when they don't trust you?; 1/12/09, 10:53 AM
George M. Spencer said...: "A.I."

Spielberg's best movie, IMHO.; 1/12/09, 10:57 AM
bearbee said...: When I look into the eyes of the robot what will I see?

Will the robot hear my footsteps and greet at the door?

Will the robot alert me when it senses danger?

When I am sad will the robot give comfort?

Will the robot snuggle up, give warmth and purr on cold days?

When the robot dies will I grieve?; 1/12/09, 11:09 AM
Bissage said...: The robotic seal also has artificial intelligence and can remember how it was treated, . . .

Soon they will develop a super-deluxe model that gives you fair warning your time is up.

Let’s hope they name it Oscar.; 1/12/09, 11:21 AM
theobromophile said...: When the robot dies will I grieve?

No, you'll just take it in for replacement parts.

Personally, I find that the best thing about pets is the unexpected things they do, like developing their own personalities or locking you out of your own car. Robots can't really duplicate it, and it just wouldn't be the same if they did. Pets aren't interchangeable, and it seems weird to attempt to re-create a pet by making something that can be bought off a shelf.; 1/12/09, 12:02 PM
rhhardin said...: Dobermans don't like shared rice that's been steamed under brocolli.

At least you get a ``What the hell is this?'' take at the bowl, and an indignant departure.

Roosters like it okay.; 1/12/09, 1:43 PM
rhhardin said...: If you raise wild orphan baby birds, you discover they're indistinguishable until about 2 weeks, when they develop a personality. In particular they recognize you. The two are linked.; 1/12/09, 1:45 PM
rhhardin said...: Southwest Radio Church in the 80s had a muscular ``Bible in the news'' segment, unlike the wimpy version today, in which the latest news developments were shown to be prophizied in scripture.

Artificial intelligence was always rendered as ``A One.''

Another favorite line, back when the economy was faltering, was ``The savings and loan industry, once a leading economic indicator, now lies in ruins.''

Scripture doesn't always keep you up to date.; 1/12/09, 1:49 PM
CarmelaMotto said...: I agree with theobromofile. In my life I have had 4 cats with very distinct personalities and if you are a well adjusted person (I think) you love them for who they are.

After years, they can still surprise you. Yesterday while reading this site, my cat dropped a toy on the keyboard for fetch - she plays fetch, but that was the first time she was all here - throw this. The other has started stuffing toys in my shoes by the door. Then there are ages and stages....; 1/12/09, 2:16 PM
bearbee said...: Because sometime when a man's alone that's all you got is your dog....

Rourke thanks his dogs

video; 1/13/09, 7:57 AM