subject: Those Really Annoying Androids [print this page] Those Really Annoying Androids Those Really Annoying Androids
I do think there will be plenty of androids in the future, but the really good ones- you know, the ones you 'really' can't tell from humans, will in general be deemed annoying and ostracized.
For example, there is something stingingly humiliating about being outwitted by an android. And I'd hate to play poker with a droid and lose to her knowing she won't even enjoy the money she won. In fact, very human-like droids may be despised and only serve in less savory niches such as spies and hit men. I also think human-like droids will only be produced under special licenses and their numbers controlled.
On the other hand, I do foresee a plethora of all sorts of 'bots, most of which will be specialized for a certain task only or a limited array of tasks. That way we will feel more secure and in control. I don't foresee, for example, a very simplified android to wait tables or wash dishes in restaurants, as that would be demeaning to the good people who performed that hard labor in the past. Instead, most robots will probably look quite similar to the robots on assembly lines now. They may be more cosmetic, but they will be functional above all.
We don't like to be made fun of, and androids represent a lot of 'monkey see monkey do' to our psyches. I think we will be able to enjoy androids in specific tasks and as practice partners, but an android that comes off as smart as us will definitely rub us the wrong way. This is all predicated of course on the notion that we remain at least a somewhat egalitarian society. If things get dark again the ruling class could very well use upstart androids to oppress the lower class.
