I invented a new term for today’s signal : Synthetic Bads, or “goods” that are perhaps not so good for us because they allow us to perpetuate bad behaviour albeit for a reduced social / collateral damage cost.
The signal at hand looks at edible robotics (yes, I went full futurist) - or robots designed to be eaten to emulate the sensation (“mumble” mouth feel) of eating live animals.
It reminded me of synthetic meat.
And sex toys designed to simulate animal intercourse (of the literal kind).
(Heidi Patmore will remember a similar conversation from her talk on the future of sex)
And vapes.
And “business productivity apps”.
And all the other synthetic alternatives to the real thing, where the real thing involves real harm.
Are these things helpful (in that innocent 3rd parties are no longer harmed) or harmful (in that bad habits are normalised and sanitised)?
What bad habits has your business accommodated by making them more efficient?
Let me know…
I hope you feel uncomfortable.
Read more :
Off with its head!
Mumbly mumbly : https://spectrum.ieee.org/edible-robots-2667244222
Stay for the q&a :
Would you eat a robot it if it asked you to?