Kaplan's book on potential impact of robots on human life is thought provoking. One area that I think will be affected sooner rather than later is sexual relations. Even before reading the book I had begun to think that technology would revolutionise this aspect of human interaction. This was after seeing in Amsterdam some examples of Dutch Wives. Despite the name (and the location was also coincidental) these are produced in Japan and they are scarily realistic sex dolls. I foresee that with further refinement, fall in prices and robotics/automation that in the not-too-distant many men (women?) will have given up on the stress of finding a real partner and go for these instead.
The book also reckoned that the professions of law, accounting and medicine would be screwed by automation. As to medicine, Kempo will have a better insight, but it doesn't seem far-fetched to foresee a time when a machine will routinely give you a better once over than a GP.
I think some will go for it. After many difficulties become apparent regarding relationship s it would make sense.
After all, many choose a pet over a human companion.
When we have ran a certain course and perhaps attained a certain age, the need for anything other than a compliant companion seems unnecessary and indeed counter productive.
I could certainly be happy with an asthetically pleasing companion to meet and greet and sit by the T.V with without complaint or complexity. Hell, that's what I've been looking for all my life.
They sit idly by.
They glance at me.
A smile.
A smile back.
A Word.
A word back.
A Smile.
Pleasing waves pass over.
Knowing that nothing will disrupt this peace I feel.
A hug.
A thank you.
A simple , you are welcome.
On with my day...until another pleasant moment is needed.
-- Edited by ian on Sunday 6th of September 2015 09:11:46 AM
Ian, the building blocks are already falling into place. Internet ****, feminism, decline in traditional masculine employment, housing costs. I am happily married but looking back over the years I have mixed views on my relationships with women. The constant anxieties over "performance" and the inevitable compromises in lifestyle make me wonder if I'd bother if I had my time over again.
This puts me in mind of the scene in Sleeper by Woody Allen when he walks in to the futuristic sex machine and walks out with a fixed grin and looking like he's been dragged through a hedge backwards. It is difficult to see what the limits of technology are. We might wind up making ourselves redundant.
This puts me in mind of the scene in Sleeper by Woody Allen when he walks in to the futuristic sex machine and walks out with a fixed grin and looking like he's been dragged through a hedge backwards. It is difficult to see what the limits of technology are. We might wind up making ourselves redundant.
Ultimately, that's what technology should be all about, shouldn't it? making us all redundant, let the machine do the work and allow the humans to play!!! That is of course, in a utopian world haha we can but dream.
It's a beautiful dream Millmoor. I was thinking redundant as a species as well as work wise. But then I guess we now have the ability to procreate without even touching each other. When the machines take over (AI) - that's when we are really in trouble.
