Current:Home > BackPreserving our humanity in the age of robots-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Preserving our humanity in the age of robots
View Date:2024-12-23 23:19:00
Human beings are hardwired for social connection – so much so that we think of even the most basic objects as having feelings or experiences. (Yup, we're talking to you, Roomba owners!)
Social robots add a layer to this. They are designed to make us feel like they're our friends. They can do things like care for children and the elderly or act as partners.
"We have robots that express emotions," science writer Eve Herold says. "Of course, they don't feel the emotions at this point, but they act and look and move as though they do. And this triggers an emotional reaction in us, which is almost irresistible."
Herold is the author of the new book Robots and the People Who Love Them: Holding on to Our Humanity in an Age of Social Robots. Throughout the book, she explores this human desire to connect and how it drives the technology we build.
But she's also stares down the darker side of robots.
They may encourage people to opt out of real-life connection and feel more isolated. She notes that while social robots may offer positive, social skill-building opportunities for children with autism or companionship for elderly patients with dementia, they may make others feel more lonely.
"The thing that I can compare it to is people who are too addicted to social media and end up becoming isolated because they're not interacting with real people in a real relationship," she says.
Herold says robots are appealing to some people because they are designed to please: They never talk back and they do what we ask. But she worries about what might happen if social robots displace people's human relationships – particularly for people who are already more vulnerable to loneliness and isolation.
"People who ... don't have enough social stimulation, they can actually lose what social skills they have because they're so accustomed to this kind of consequence free, easy, appealing relationship with a robot."
Herold explores these topics in her new book, Robots and the People Who Love Them: Holding on to Our Humanity in an Age of Social Robots.
Curious about other innovations in technology? Email us at [email protected].
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Today's episode was produced by Rachel Carlson. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Brit Hanson fact-checked, and Gilly Moon was the audio engineer.
veryGood! (92988)
Related
- Shel Talmy, produced hits by The Who, The Kinks and other 1960s British bands, dead at 87
- Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to go to China
- At least 51 people killed in road accident in western Kenya, 32 injured, police and Red Cross say
- Tag Along For Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey's Picture-Perfect Spring Break
- 'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
- Earth sees third straight hottest day on record, though it's unofficial: Brutally hot
- In Iraq's famed marshlands, climate change is upending a way of life
- Why Eva Mendes Isn’t “Comfortable” Posing on the Red Carpet With Ryan Gosling
- Climate Advocacy Groups Say They’re Ready for Trump 2.0
- That boom you heard in Pittsburgh on New Year's Day? It was probably a meteor
Ranking
- Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’
- Dalai Lama Apologizes After Video Surfaces of Him Asking a Child to Suck His Tongue
- Princeton University grad student who went missing in Iraq being held by militia group, Israeli officials say
- Grab your camera and help science! King tides are crashing onto California beaches
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- Uganda's Vanessa Nakate says COP26 sidelines nations most affected by climate change
- Baby Foot Is the 1 Thing You Need To Get Your Feet Sandal-Ready for Spring and It’s on Sale Right Now
- Nearly 17 million animals died in wildfires in Brazil's wetlands last year
Recommendation
-
NBPA reaches Kyle Singler’s family after cryptic Instagram video draws concern
-
Clean up your mess, young activists tell leaders at COP26 climate summit
-
Many Americans are heading to Europe this summer. But after chaos in 2022, is European aviation ready?
-
Indonesia raises volcano warning to second-highest level
-
Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
-
Climate change is a risk to national security, the Pentagon says
-
Heather Graham Calls Out the Sexism During Her Hollywood Career
-
Amazon's Secret Viral Beauty Storefront Is Hiding the Best Makeup & Skincare Deals Starting at $3