Assignment #4

It is more than clear that day by day our societies are changing. Some people think that these changes are for the best because it is a process of evolution and we have to pass through it if we really want to survive and grow as societies. However, other people think that changes aren’t always for the best and even though these changes seem helpful the cruel reality is that these are affecting and destroying us. In addition, when it comes to new/future technology release such as robots people always have their opinions. Some people consider robots machines that aren’t able to feel emotions as humans do. For example, Professor David Gelernter is one of those persons that challenge the idea that machines could think like humans. In his book “Dream-Logic, the Internet and Artificial Thought” Professor Gelernter mentioned that “The natural correspondence between computer and brain doesn’t hold between computer and body” by saying this Gelernter is saying that no matter how many thoughts will be achieved in a computer, it will never have a real soul. Also, another example that machines could never be and feel as human is reflected in the YouTube click in where our LIB class was able to see a small and cute robot named “Nao” interacting with a person and acting as a human would be act in front of certain situations however it is more than clear that the robot is just a machine full of sensors, control systems, manipulators, power supplies and software all working together to perform a task and all his actions are controlled and programed.

On the other hand there are people who strongly believe that robots are very important to society’s evolution and that they could be very helpful on people lives. For example, there are a lot of commercial on YouTube that show useful robots that help people live more independently by helping maintaining their homes and doing dirty or dangerous tasks. However, from my personal point of view this could be a positive think but at the same time if robots start doing people duty then humans would be more dependent of it and would be fewer actives. In addition, another example of how robots could destroy humans or take over societies is reflected in the movie IRobot in which everything seems perfect but then something goes wrong with the robots and these machines start taking over the human society. In conclusion, there’s no doubt that machines could be very helpful to the human society however there should be a limit when it comes to its functions and duty.