That's a man, baby!
Posted on 07/13/2012 3:32:41 PM PDT by EveningStar
Scientists are getting ever-closer to designing a robot which can pass for a human.
While we are not quite there yet, roboticists from the University of Pisa have brought us even closer with FACE - a robot who is able to display very lifelike human emotions, ranging the whole gamut from happiness to sadness and fear.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Almost human: The robot called FACE who can display dozens of life-like emotions (and is based on one of the researcher's wives)
News from another episode of The Twilight Zone.. I can think of at least 3.
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Probably more human than some.
Can it imitate the many psychotic tics and bugged out expressions of Nancy Pelosi?
Probably more human than some.
COUNSELLOR Yes, just double check that chair for me, would you, Kryten?
[Again KRYTEN checks, as instructed]
COUNSELLOR It is still screwed down, isn’t it?
KRYTEN Er, yes, sir.
COUNSELLOR With really long, long screws that go deep, deep into the ground?
[KRYTEN attempts an experimental shake of the chair, which doesn’t move]
KRYTEN Er, yes, sir.
COUNSELLOR Okay, now tell me, what kind of robot do you think you are? What were you programmed to do?
KRYTEN Oh well, I’m a sanitation droid, sir. I’m programmed to do sanitation-type things: washing, cleaning, ironing.
COUNSELLOR Hmm. You also drive spaceships though, don’t you? Pretend to be the science officer, and sit in that lovely, swivelly chair, with all those lovely, pretty buttons and press them all?
KRYTEN Yes, I do that too, sir. That’s sort of thanks to Mister Lister.
COUNSELLOR Mister Lister..?
[The COUNSELLOR shuffles a few papers, looking for references to the name]
KRYTEN He helped break my programming, sir. Over the years I have managed to develop some serious character faults of which I’m extremely proud! I’m even able to lie to a modest standard, for example: “you have a very fine hair cut!”
[KRYTEN laughs heartily, either as part of his example, or, perhaps, as a result of it. The COUNSELLOR catches on and laughs along for safety]
COUNSELLOR You see how good I’ve got? Also, “I’ve completely mastered pomposity, even though I say so myself!” I’ve also developed several rudimentary emotions, including fear: “Oh my God! It’s going to kill us!”; sadness: “Oh my God, it’s killed us”; happiness: “oh no it hasn’t!”; surprise: “Oohh! I’ve turned into a frog!”, and just lately, I’m proud to say, I’ve got the hang of anger, with rudimentary mindless violence:
[KRYTEN abruptly lets out a yell and thumps a fist down over the COUNSELLOR’s hand, who grimaces before again attempting to play along with the mechanoid in the usual, easy-going psychiatric manner]
KRYTEN That’s a newie.
[The COUNSELLOR nods in solicitous agreement, then begins making notes on his clipboard as KRYTEN prattles on]
KRYTEN I was going to launch it at this year’s Emotion Show. At the moment, I’m working on ambivalence, which means feeling two opposite, irreconcilable emotions about the same thing:
[KRYTEN works his facial servos diligently, yet all he achieves is to produce a series of disjointed grimaces, scowls and less obvious spasms. The COUNSELLOR watches, bemused]
KRYTEN As you can see, I haven’t quite got the hang of that one yet. I look like a dog with a caramel toffee.
[The COUNSELLOR checks his notes]
COUNSELLOR What is your relationship with Lister?
KRYTEN I love Mister Lister, sir, he taught me everything. Without him, I’d probably be normal.
LOL! That’s a man, man! Austin, that’s my mother!
LOL! That’s a man, man! Austin, that’s my mother!
LOL! That’s a man, man! Austin, that’s my mother!
LOL! That’s a man, man! Austin, that’s my mother!
Thanks. I’m on the train coming home from work squished in with a bunch of strangers and laughing my nuts off to the point of crying after seeing that..
Interestingly, the other day, I Googled "what is it called when something looks almost human" and the first hit was a Wikipedia article on the uncanny valley. I had seen the concept discussed on a show about robotics a few months ago, but could not remember what it was called.
Someone in a previous post mentioned Nancy Pelosi. She may have entered the uncanny valley herself, with all those Botox injections...
Nancy Pelosi?
Debbie Wasserman-Schulz?
Maxine Waters?
Cindy Sheehan?
Rachel Maddow?
Keith Olbermann?
Lawrence O’Donnell?
Chrissy Matthews?
Ed the Horse Schulz?
Rosie O’Donnell?
Roseanne Barr?
All of the above
Oh, I forgot, MOOSCHELLE, THE BELL(Shaped) FLOTUS
That last facial sequence looked like what would be the face of an intern who worked for Teddy Kennedy as he was dropping his pants.....along with Chris Dodd.
Can't see this going Wrong!
Certainly more logical...and rational!
But only if she is deep and well read...and a history buff.
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