Metal Machine Parenting
It’s the stuff of nightmares. Metal demons frankensteined into being for the purpose of molding children’s behavior to fit the government’s definition of “acceptable.”
Is this the plot of a low-budget 1950s science fiction film? Am I going to wake up screaming any moment now? No, this is the technological house of horrors in which we all now have the misfortune to dwell.
I’m referring to the fact that the National Science Foundation is spending $10 million todevelop robotic “personal trainers” for children. While some kids might find the idea of a robot playmate cute and fun, the language being used to describe the program is downright chilling.
“(W)e want the robots to be able to guide the child toward a behavior that we desire,” said a principal investigator for the project.
By “behavior that we desire,” the designers mean more exercise and less eating. At least, that’s the beginning. Once the program is in place, the robots could push any agenda their programmers desire – whatever the fad of the month, pushed by the current bored and uninformed First Lady, might be.
