The Electric Grandmother takes shape (see link for article)

[gategrrl]

 I have a far-reaching, well-read flist, so I won't be surprised if some of you have heard of this already - in Fukuoka, Japan (on the large island just below the main one in the Japanese archipeligo) there's a department store with plans to have a robotic babysitter take care of children while the parents are off shopping. The article briefly mentions the falling population in Japan, and how robots are going to become receptionists, security guards, and other drab jobs, so the kids might as well get used to seeing these faux hominids now.

It's a really loaded article, really, because it's about much more than the actual robot: it addresses the lower Japanese birthrate; the increased lack of young people willing to take crappy jobs; the increased dearth of young *women* who prefer to travel, have fun, and don't want to be relegated to crappy careers; and the resistance of Japan to allow naturalization or workers into their country. There are probably some other issues connected with that, seeing as how there are still some issues left over from WW2 and those other countries. 

Would I want a robot like the one in the article's picture looking after MY kid? Um...I don't think so - my kids are live-wires. It's a miracle to get them to sit still. The only robotic-ish thing they sit still for is the Nintendo DS and SuperMario and Brainage 2. Now, if it were like the Electric Grandmother in Ray Bradbury's story of the same name, heck yes! But more in the capacity of a babysitter than a nanny.

I wouldn't mind a robot that would walk the dog. Or...paint the house, or mow the lawn and cut the shrubs and  prune the trees. THAT would be excellent.

Comments

[sars.livejournal.com]

It's kind of disturbing that anyone would consider leaving small children with a robot *boggles* Considering how many parents these days have qualms about leaving their kids even with a real live person I'm surprised anyone would think this could work.

[therentgirls.livejournal.com]

I couldn't imagine leaving my son with a robot. He is college aged now, but when he was small, I worked nights and my husband worked days so that we could keep him out of daycare as much as possible. Even then, I felt guilty.
Now, if it were like the Electric Grandmother in Ray Bradbury's story
Or like Rosie from the Jetsons!

Seriously, I'm cool with a machine washing my clothes and my dishes or transporting me from place to place, but I'd rather have a human minding my children. I'm old fashioned that way.

[superbadgirl]

I find the whole idea very creepy. Has no one read science fiction? This is how the end starts! ;)

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

This reminds me of that episode of The Outer Limits that Michael Shanks was in. Wasn't it Mary 25 or something like that? I could just imagine that scenario. *g*

OTOH, I still really want a Roomba. *g*