As a first cousin to these efforts, we have some academics declaring that robots should have rights.
Non-conscious machines should have rights.
All right, I offer up my toaster. Let him be safe from untimely destruction. Let's set up commissions across the world to formulate rules of kindness and care for all devices.
Let's program humans into being machines, and give machines the rights of humans.
That'll do it.
With the onrush of the Internet of Things, all of which are connected to the Internet, there's a good chance your home appliances, gifted with the power of conversation, will seem to be alive.
Here is a charming quote attributed to Bill Gates: "Robots will play an important role in providing physical assistance and even companionship for the elderly."
Yes, with enough drugs on the night table, the elderly will believe their companion robots are genuine friends, perhaps even departed relatives.
So if one day you're visiting your mother in a nursing home, don't be surprised if the supervisor says, "I suggest you turn around and go away. Your mother has a robot, and she believes it's you. If you walk into her room, she might become disoriented. Anyway, her robot -- you -- is there for her 24 hours a day, every day. That's more than enough in her declining months. Go away. Don't worry, we have things under control."
At which point, I advise you to stand firm and reply, "I won't be phased out."
And you might add, "Is there a chance your surgeon made a mistake and installed a pig brain in your head?"
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