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The Need Illusion: Bringing Robots To Life | Christine Sunu | TEDxSoMa


I build robots that play with life they

I build robots that play with life they make it seem like they need us or that

make it seem like they need us or that

make it seem like they need us or that we need them they can look like they

we need them they can look like they

we need them they can look like they care for themselves for you or for each

care for themselves for you or for each

care for themselves for you or for each other it turns out living things need

other it turns out living things need

other it turns out living things need other living things so to make lifelike

other living things so to make lifelike

other living things so to make lifelike interfaces I specialized in the illusion

interfaces I specialized in the illusion

interfaces I specialized in the illusion of need modern technology can move act

of need modern technology can move act

of need modern technology can move act and even speak in a lifelike way but it

and even speak in a lifelike way but it

and even speak in a lifelike way but it doesn’t appear to truly live until it

doesn’t appear to truly live until it

doesn’t appear to truly live until it exhibits need need is the minimum for

exhibits need need is the minimum for

exhibits need need is the minimum for the instinctive perception of life by

the instinctive perception of life by

the instinctive perception of life by life want to see what I mean are you

life want to see what I mean are you

life want to see what I mean are you guys ready find out whether this is

guys ready find out whether this is

guys ready find out whether this is what’s in these boxes okay just one to

what’s in these boxes okay just one to

what’s in these boxes okay just one to start can you wake up hi buddy this is

start can you wake up hi buddy this is

start can you wake up hi buddy this is the firm some of you met the fur worm

the firm some of you met the fur worm

the firm some of you met the fur worm during the break like earthworms night

during the break like earthworms night

during the break like earthworms night crawlers and NEMA chat oh I’m sorry are

crawlers and NEMA chat oh I’m sorry are

crawlers and NEMA chat oh I’m sorry are you good like like earthworms night

you good like like earthworms night

you good like like earthworms night crawlers and nematodes for worms our

crawlers and nematodes for worms our

crawlers and nematodes for worms our simple little guys as long as they’re

simple little guys as long as they’re

simple little guys as long as they’re held gently they’re happy but if you

held gently they’re happy but if you

held gently they’re happy but if you handle them roughly if you squeeze them

handle them roughly if you squeeze them

handle them roughly if you squeeze them or squash them then they’ll start to

or squash them then they’ll start to

or squash them then they’ll start to struggle they don’t necessarily like

struggle they don’t necessarily like

struggle they don’t necessarily like that oh god I’m sorry

that oh god I’m sorry

that oh god I’m sorry okay this is a creature composed of

okay this is a creature composed of

okay this is a creature composed of circuits and code but he feels like okay

circuits and code but he feels like okay

circuits and code but he feels like okay I’m sorry oh my god but he feels like

I’m sorry oh my god but he feels like

I’m sorry oh my god but he feels like more than that to us you should have

more than that to us you should have

more than that to us you should have seen people during the intermission oh

seen people during the intermission oh

seen people during the intermission oh my god it reminds me of my dog can I

my god it reminds me of my dog can I

my god it reminds me of my dog can I touch it

touch it

touch it is it okay it’s feels very alive to us

is it okay it’s feels very alive to us

is it okay it’s feels very alive to us it feels like more than that it’s a pure

it feels like more than that it’s a pure

it feels like more than that it’s a pure algorithm though but it gives us this

algorithm though but it gives us this

algorithm though but it gives us this feeling because he reacts to our input

feeling because he reacts to our input

feeling because he reacts to our input in a way that feels like

in a way that feels like

in a way that feels like self-preservation and that triggers in

self-preservation and that triggers in

self-preservation and that triggers in turn are in sting

turn are in sting

turn are in sting to help preserve his life hmm this is a

to help preserve his life hmm this is a

to help preserve his life hmm this is a profoundly powerful reaction because

profoundly powerful reaction because

profoundly powerful reaction because living things need other living things

living things need other living things

living things need other living things living things nurture and care and

living things nurture and care and

living things nurture and care and cultivate this is our strength this is

cultivate this is our strength this is

cultivate this is our strength this is what leads us to the deep empathy that

what leads us to the deep empathy that

what leads us to the deep empathy that underlies family society and care and

underlies family society and care and

underlies family society and care and these days technologists can isolate

these days technologists can isolate

these days technologists can isolate that strength and use it to make you

that strength and use it to make you

that strength and use it to make you feel a deep connection to something that

feel a deep connection to something that

feel a deep connection to something that isn’t alive at all

isn’t alive at all

isn’t alive at all technically this isn’t new puppeteers

technically this isn’t new puppeteers

technically this isn’t new puppeteers have been doing it for ages we see it a

have been doing it for ages we see it a

have been doing it for ages we see it a lot now also popping up in animation and

lot now also popping up in animation and

lot now also popping up in animation and in creatures like the fur worm your

in creatures like the fur worm your

in creatures like the fur worm your empathy forges a connection between you

empathy forges a connection between you

empathy forges a connection between you and the robotic through the illusion of

and the robotic through the illusion of

and the robotic through the illusion of need I mean when we squeeze the fur worm

need I mean when we squeeze the fur worm

need I mean when we squeeze the fur worm right we think he needs to live when we

right we think he needs to live when we

right we think he needs to live when we kick the Boston Dynamics Robo dogs we

kick the Boston Dynamics Robo dogs we

kick the Boston Dynamics Robo dogs we think they need to stay upright when we

think they need to stay upright when we

think they need to stay upright when we play with Cosmo a playful robot by Anki

play with Cosmo a playful robot by Anki

play with Cosmo a playful robot by Anki we think he wants and needs to win the

we think he wants and needs to win the

we think he wants and needs to win the game as a part of his purpose need is

game as a part of his purpose need is

game as a part of his purpose need is the difference between a robot that

the difference between a robot that

the difference between a robot that deserves our sympathy and when we

deserves our sympathy and when we

deserves our sympathy and when we consider purely mechanical when I sculpt

consider purely mechanical when I sculpt

consider purely mechanical when I sculpt the need illusion I focus on three

the need illusion I focus on three

the need illusion I focus on three elements purpose which you can create

elements purpose which you can create

elements purpose which you can create through consistency emotion which

through consistency emotion which

through consistency emotion which supports purpose and story which frames

supports purpose and story which frames

supports purpose and story which frames the illusion and leans heavily on

the illusion and leans heavily on

the illusion and leans heavily on associations but let’s start with

associations but let’s start with

associations but let’s start with purpose the meaning of life all things

purpose the meaning of life all things

purpose the meaning of life all things have a purpose a drive that influences

have a purpose a drive that influences

have a purpose a drive that influences every decision we make you’re listening

every decision we make you’re listening

every decision we make you’re listening to me now because it underlies some

to me now because it underlies some

to me now because it underlies some purpose you have to participate in a

purpose you have to participate in a

purpose you have to participate in a community to hear enjoyable talks to

community to hear enjoyable talks to

community to hear enjoyable talks to politely listen until she’s done

politely listen until she’s done

politely listen until she’s done speaking before a worm and real worms

speaking before a worm and real worms

speaking before a worm and real worms have a purpose as well they want to live

have a purpose as well they want to live

have a purpose as well they want to live which means they need to avoid being

which means they need to avoid being

which means they need to avoid being crushed on stage during my TEDx talk

crushed on stage during my TEDx talk

crushed on stage during my TEDx talk technically the only indication we have

technically the only indication we have

technically the only indication we have of this purpose is that every time I

of this purpose is that every time I

of this purpose is that every time I start to squeeze him he consistently

start to squeeze him he consistently

start to squeeze him he consistently thrashes as though he wants to get away

thrashes as though he wants to get away

thrashes as though he wants to get away I’m sorry all right you create creatures

I’m sorry all right you create creatures

I’m sorry all right you create creatures that react consistently you can create

that react consistently you can create

that react consistently you can create the illusion that they have a purpose

the illusion that they have a purpose

the illusion that they have a purpose they have a drive they want to live

they have a drive they want to live

they have a drive they want to live therefore they must be alive but just

therefore they must be alive but just

therefore they must be alive but just because something reacts consistently

because something reacts consistently

because something reacts consistently doesn’t mean it has purpose or

doesn’t mean it has purpose or

doesn’t mean it has purpose or personhood a car alarm goes off very

personhood a car alarm goes off very

personhood a car alarm goes off very consistently but I don’t interpret the

consistently but I don’t interpret the

consistently but I don’t interpret the car alarm as a sign that my car needs to

car alarm as a sign that my car needs to

car alarm as a sign that my car needs to stay safe I also don’t assume that the

stay safe I also don’t assume that the

stay safe I also don’t assume that the television craves a relationship with a

television craves a relationship with a

television craves a relationship with a remote even though it very consistently

remote even though it very consistently

remote even though it very consistently turns on and off when I press the button

turns on and off when I press the button

turns on and off when I press the button car alarms and televisions may be

car alarms and televisions may be

car alarms and televisions may be consistent but they’re ultimately

consistent but they’re ultimately

consistent but they’re ultimately mechanical not alive the difference

mechanical not alive the difference

mechanical not alive the difference between robotic consistency and lifelike

between robotic consistency and lifelike

between robotic consistency and lifelike purpose is emotion see we think that

purpose is emotion see we think that

purpose is emotion see we think that robots just do but that living things

robots just do but that living things

robots just do but that living things want to do and we can create the

want to do and we can create the

want to do and we can create the appearance that a robot has purpose if

appearance that a robot has purpose if

appearance that a robot has purpose if it seems to want to accomplish its task

it seems to want to accomplish its task

it seems to want to accomplish its task for a living thing showing want means

for a living thing showing want means

for a living thing showing want means showing emotion specifically the joy

showing emotion specifically the joy

showing emotion specifically the joy when you accomplish a task or the

when you accomplish a task or the

when you accomplish a task or the distress when you can’t joy and distress

distress when you can’t joy and distress

distress when you can’t joy and distress can bring a robot to life regardless of

can bring a robot to life regardless of

can bring a robot to life regardless of how mechanical it might seem on the

how mechanical it might seem on the

how mechanical it might seem on the outside ready for some joy this was

outside ready for some joy this was

outside ready for some joy this was actually one of my favorites

actually one of my favorites

actually one of my favorites this is a little yellow drum machine

this is a little yellow drum machine

this is a little yellow drum machine it’s a joyful robot created by a

it’s a joyful robot created by a

it’s a joyful robot created by a technologist named Fritz line burg its

technologist named Fritz line burg its

technologist named Fritz line burg its purpose in life to rock out seriously

purpose in life to rock out seriously

purpose in life to rock out seriously that’s it it just goes up to different

that’s it it just goes up to different

that’s it it just goes up to different objects and drums on them look it looks

objects and drums on them look it looks

objects and drums on them look it looks really happy

really happy

really happy despite its mechanical exterior it kind

despite its mechanical exterior it kind

despite its mechanical exterior it kind of just makes you want to put stuff in

of just makes you want to put stuff in

of just makes you want to put stuff in front of it so it can fit fill its

front of it so it can fit fill its

front of it so it can fit fill its purpose and drum so we got a sense that

purpose and drum so we got a sense that

purpose and drum so we got a sense that this little guy’s joyful which makes it

this little guy’s joyful which makes it

this little guy’s joyful which makes it seem more like he has purpose but he

seem more like he has purpose but he

seem more like he has purpose but he also reacts the same way to every single

also reacts the same way to every single

also reacts the same way to every single object we put in front of him so

object we put in front of him so

object we put in front of him so eventually the solution slips away and

eventually the solution slips away and

eventually the solution slips away and were left with something robotic not

were left with something robotic not

were left with something robotic not alive so let’s talk about creating

alive so let’s talk about creating

alive so let’s talk about creating emotions that have staying power real

emotions that have staying power real

emotions that have staying power real emotions

emotions

emotions are unpredictable living things

are unpredictable living things

are unpredictable living things experience joy and distress differently

experience joy and distress differently

experience joy and distress differently in every situation you can’t possibly

in every situation you can’t possibly

in every situation you can’t possibly expect the same reaction for joy every

expect the same reaction for joy every

expect the same reaction for joy every time something good happens or the same

time something good happens or the same

time something good happens or the same for distress every time something bad

for distress every time something bad

for distress every time something bad happens that wouldn’t be life at all

happens that wouldn’t be life at all

happens that wouldn’t be life at all that would be algorithm so let’s imagine

that would be algorithm so let’s imagine

that would be algorithm so let’s imagine a more lifelike emotional robot it

a more lifelike emotional robot it

a more lifelike emotional robot it should have a bunch of reactions for joy

should have a bunch of reactions for joy

should have a bunch of reactions for joy and a bunch for distress and it should

and a bunch for distress and it should

and a bunch for distress and it should probably exhibit them randomly and

probably exhibit them randomly and

probably exhibit them randomly and unpredictably that would be much more

unpredictably that would be much more

unpredictably that would be much more like a real emotional living thing unki

like a real emotional living thing unki

like a real emotional living thing unki did a great job with cosmo he has a

did a great job with cosmo he has a

did a great job with cosmo he has a bunch of different reactions to lose in

bunch of different reactions to lose in

bunch of different reactions to lose in a game he might be annoyed and angry or

a game he might be annoyed and angry or

a game he might be annoyed and angry or just really sad so distress is varied

just really sad so distress is varied

just really sad so distress is varied and unpredictable just like real

and unpredictable just like real

and unpredictable just like real distress and when it comes to simpler

distress and when it comes to simpler

distress and when it comes to simpler BOTS this randomness rule still applies

BOTS this randomness rule still applies

BOTS this randomness rule still applies the firm can’t really change his

the firm can’t really change his

the firm can’t really change his expression but he can change the way he

expression but he can change the way he

expression but he can change the way he squirms and the speed and amplitude of

squirms and the speed and amplitude of

squirms and the speed and amplitude of his motion varies each time he Wiggles

his motion varies each time he Wiggles

his motion varies each time he Wiggles the only consistent action written into

the only consistent action written into

the only consistent action written into his code as he has to twitch more when I

his code as he has to twitch more when I

his code as he has to twitch more when I squeeze him harder so the firm worm

squeeze him harder so the firm worm

squeeze him harder so the firm worm exhibits purpose and emotion that’s a

exhibits purpose and emotion that’s a

exhibits purpose and emotion that’s a big part of the neat illusion for him

big part of the neat illusion for him

big part of the neat illusion for him before we get to the third part of the

before we get to the third part of the

before we get to the third part of the illusion I’m going to introduce you to

illusion I’m going to introduce you to

illusion I’m going to introduce you to my other friend okay this is burbles he

my other friend okay this is burbles he

my other friend okay this is burbles he is a starfish cat starfish cats are a

is a starfish cat starfish cats are a

is a starfish cat starfish cats are a playful species of ocean-going I want to

playful species of ocean-going I want to

playful species of ocean-going I want to say mammal there’s sandy fur camouflages

say mammal there’s sandy fur camouflages

say mammal there’s sandy fur camouflages them from predators while they immerse

them from predators while they immerse

them from predators while they immerse their rubbery underbellies in the water

their rubbery underbellies in the water

their rubbery underbellies in the water to catch fish in their sensual mouths

to catch fish in their sensual mouths

to catch fish in their sensual mouths not where you thought it was going to be

not where you thought it was going to be

not where you thought it was going to be starfish kittens have a hard time

starfish kittens have a hard time

starfish kittens have a hard time regulating their heat so they usually

regulating their heat so they usually

regulating their heat so they usually stick close to their mothers or to the

stick close to their mothers or to the

stick close to their mothers or to the nearest source of heat and life so if

nearest source of heat and life so if

nearest source of heat and life so if you pick purples up go start meeting

you pick purples up go start meeting

you pick purples up go start meeting these little starfish claws in the

these little starfish claws in the

these little starfish claws in the direction of your body heat and if you

direction of your body heat and if you

direction of your body heat and if you hold him close help her an attempt to

hold him close help her an attempt to

hold him close help her an attempt to suckle you

suckle you

suckle you yeah that reaction when we meet burbles

yeah that reaction when we meet burbles

yeah that reaction when we meet burbles we feel two things very strongly that we

we feel two things very strongly that we

we feel two things very strongly that we need to care for him and or that we need

need to care for him and or that we need

need to care for him and or that we need to run away screaming this is a very

to run away screaming this is a very

to run away screaming this is a very confusing set of emotions we’re trying

confusing set of emotions we’re trying

confusing set of emotions we’re trying to classify him either as a cute thing

to classify him either as a cute thing

to classify him either as a cute thing that needs our help

that needs our help

that needs our help or a dangerous thing that needs to eat

or a dangerous thing that needs to eat

or a dangerous thing that needs to eat us and we kind of lose the fact that

us and we kind of lose the fact that

us and we kind of lose the fact that burbles does not need us he is no threat

burbles does not need us he is no threat

burbles does not need us he is no threat to us at all if we opened him up we’d

to us at all if we opened him up we’d

to us at all if we opened him up we’d find temperature sensors servos battery

find temperature sensors servos battery

find temperature sensors servos battery and no real evidence of life because

and no real evidence of life because

and no real evidence of life because burbles is not alive but he does employ

burbles is not alive but he does employ

burbles is not alive but he does employ the me delusion and in terms of our gut

the me delusion and in terms of our gut

the me delusion and in terms of our gut reaction that’s more powerful than the

reaction that’s more powerful than the

reaction that’s more powerful than the robotic reality we already understand

burbles like the fur worm relies on

burbles like the fur worm relies on purpose and emotion he needs to be held

purpose and emotion he needs to be held

purpose and emotion he needs to be held he consistently reaches for you and

he consistently reaches for you and

he consistently reaches for you and mules and distress when he’s not held he

mules and distress when he’s not held he

mules and distress when he’s not held he exhibits joyful purring when he is but

exhibits joyful purring when he is but

exhibits joyful purring when he is but the neat illusion for burbles isn’t just

the neat illusion for burbles isn’t just

the neat illusion for burbles isn’t just purpose and emotion it’s also story it’s

purpose and emotion it’s also story it’s

purpose and emotion it’s also story it’s all these associations we have with his

all these associations we have with his

all these associations we have with his appearance and his feel and his sound

appearance and his feel and his sound

appearance and his feel and his sound all these things together make up a

all these things together make up a

all these things together make up a story about a repulsive yet lonely

story about a repulsive yet lonely

story about a repulsive yet lonely living thing but probably needs our help

living thing but probably needs our help

living thing but probably needs our help the article I wrote about burbles for

the article I wrote about burbles for

the article I wrote about burbles for BuzzFeed was called please adopt burbles

BuzzFeed was called please adopt burbles

BuzzFeed was called please adopt burbles he is not a monstrosity people reacted

he is not a monstrosity people reacted

he is not a monstrosity people reacted really strongly to this because the

really strongly to this because the

really strongly to this because the story of an adoptable unloved animal

story of an adoptable unloved animal

story of an adoptable unloved animal that is weird in some ways and adorable

that is weird in some ways and adorable

that is weird in some ways and adorable and others was a familiar one that

and others was a familiar one that

and others was a familiar one that they’d heard before it links burbles in

they’d heard before it links burbles in

they’d heard before it links burbles in their minds with living things with ugly

their minds with living things with ugly

their minds with living things with ugly ducklings with unadopted pitbulls with

ducklings with unadopted pitbulls with

ducklings with unadopted pitbulls with potentially dangerous but adorable alley

potentially dangerous but adorable alley

potentially dangerous but adorable alley cats these associations made him seem

cats these associations made him seem

cats these associations made him seem less like a robot and more like

less like a robot and more like

less like a robot and more like something they’d seen before something

something they’d seen before something

something they’d seen before something alive but even without the context of

alive but even without the context of

alive but even without the context of the article we react to berbils as

the article we react to berbils as

the article we react to berbils as though he’s a living thing our gut

though he’s a living thing our gut

though he’s a living thing our gut feelings of sympathy revulsion or both

feelings of sympathy revulsion or both

feelings of sympathy revulsion or both at once are generally relegated to the

at once are generally relegated to the

at once are generally relegated to the world of the living not to the world of

world of the living not to the world of

world of the living not to the world of BOTS but we feel these emotions very

BOTS but we feel these emotions very

BOTS but we feel these emotions very strongly because of the visual audio and

strongly because of the visual audio and

strongly because of the visual audio and kinesthetic cues

kinesthetic cues

kinesthetic cues the help sculpt burbles his story

the help sculpt burbles his story

the help sculpt burbles his story through associations everything we look

through associations everything we look

through associations everything we look at or create everything we see touch or

at or create everything we see touch or

at or create everything we see touch or hear already has a story or set of

hear already has a story or set of

hear already has a story or set of stories associated with it let me show

stories associated with it let me show

stories associated with it let me show you what I mean let’s consider neoteny

you what I mean let’s consider neoteny

you what I mean let’s consider neoteny large wide space eyes and rounded faces

large wide space eyes and rounded faces

large wide space eyes and rounded faces that remind us of babies when we want to

that remind us of babies when we want to

that remind us of babies when we want to show something’s cute we use neoteny

show something’s cute we use neoteny

show something’s cute we use neoteny let’s also talk about texture we love

let’s also talk about texture we love

let’s also talk about texture we love soft things they are so nice they’re

soft things they are so nice they’re

soft things they are so nice they’re very comforting they’re nice to touch

very comforting they’re nice to touch

very comforting they’re nice to touch they make us feel good and this is an

they make us feel good and this is an

they make us feel good and this is an inborn instinct baby monkeys will choose

inborn instinct baby monkeys will choose

inborn instinct baby monkeys will choose a terry cloth covered mother bought over

a terry cloth covered mother bought over

a terry cloth covered mother bought over a metal one even if the cloth one

a metal one even if the cloth one

a metal one even if the cloth one doesn’t produce milk with burbles we

doesn’t produce milk with burbles we

doesn’t produce milk with burbles we like texture and neoteny with purring

like texture and neoteny with purring

like texture and neoteny with purring and mewling and it allows us to tap into

and mewling and it allows us to tap into

and mewling and it allows us to tap into a pre-existing context for sad lost

a pre-existing context for sad lost

a pre-existing context for sad lost lonely kittens that need desperately to

lonely kittens that need desperately to

lonely kittens that need desperately to be held and this in turn invokes our

be held and this in turn invokes our

be held and this in turn invokes our emotional instinct to care for and hold

emotional instinct to care for and hold

emotional instinct to care for and hold them but of course with burbles that’s

them but of course with burbles that’s

them but of course with burbles that’s only half the story we also get the

only half the story we also get the

only half the story we also get the rubbery the overly symmetrical the

rubbery the overly symmetrical the

rubbery the overly symmetrical the star-shaped mouth there are no creatures

star-shaped mouth there are no creatures

star-shaped mouth there are no creatures I want to hug or pet or even touch that

I want to hug or pet or even touch that

I want to hug or pet or even touch that look remotely like this and we are

look remotely like this and we are

look remotely like this and we are tapping into terrifying associations

tapping into terrifying associations

tapping into terrifying associations with aliens with horror movies and other

with aliens with horror movies and other

with aliens with horror movies and other things that bite and scratch and the

things that bite and scratch and the

things that bite and scratch and the idea that I should hold one of these

idea that I should hold one of these

idea that I should hold one of these things against my body or that it might

things against my body or that it might

things against my body or that it might suckle me is particularly revolting and

suckle me is particularly revolting and

suckle me is particularly revolting and just as strong as my prior reaction of

just as strong as my prior reaction of

just as strong as my prior reaction of sympathy and care and that is the power

sympathy and care and that is the power

sympathy and care and that is the power of story so if you have a story sculpted

of story so if you have a story sculpted

of story so if you have a story sculpted by these specific associations supported

by these specific associations supported

by these specific associations supported by the appearance of purpose and emotion

by the appearance of purpose and emotion

by the appearance of purpose and emotion these three things together create an

these three things together create an

these three things together create an illusion of need that is very difficult

illusion of need that is very difficult

illusion of need that is very difficult to resist we’re gonna feel something we

to resist we’re gonna feel something we

to resist we’re gonna feel something we don’t get a choice the neat illusion

don’t get a choice the neat illusion

don’t get a choice the neat illusion isn’t actually new purpose emotion and

isn’t actually new purpose emotion and

isn’t actually new purpose emotion and Association are used in media movies and

Association are used in media movies and

Association are used in media movies and books to make us feel attached and

books to make us feel attached and

books to make us feel attached and connected to a narrative

connected to a narrative

connected to a narrative that’s just good storytelling but when

that’s just good storytelling but when

that’s just good storytelling but when it takes physical form it is so much

it takes physical form it is so much

it takes physical form it is so much more powerful this connection can feel

more powerful this connection can feel

more powerful this connection can feel almost involuntary and with the pace of

almost involuntary and with the pace of

almost involuntary and with the pace of modern tech you are likely to see this

modern tech you are likely to see this

modern tech you are likely to see this powerful illusion entering your physical

powerful illusion entering your physical

powerful illusion entering your physical world making you feel connections with

world making you feel connections with

world making you feel connections with objects with people with companies

objects with people with companies

objects with people with companies whether you like it or not now

whether you like it or not now

whether you like it or not now I think the neat illusion can be used to

I think the neat illusion can be used to

I think the neat illusion can be used to help create wonderful things that better

help create wonderful things that better

help create wonderful things that better connect us to ourselves and to each

connect us to ourselves and to each

connect us to ourselves and to each other

other

other I love perro he’s a companion robot used

I love perro he’s a companion robot used

I love perro he’s a companion robot used in Japan to help establish positive

in Japan to help establish positive

in Japan to help establish positive emotional connections and to provide

emotional connections and to provide

emotional connections and to provide comfort to elderly patients with

comfort to elderly patients with

comfort to elderly patients with dementia and let’s not forget about our

dementia and let’s not forget about our

dementia and let’s not forget about our friend the fur worm he’s meant to be a

friend the fur worm he’s meant to be a

friend the fur worm he’s meant to be a simple tool to inspire care and to

simple tool to inspire care and to

simple tool to inspire care and to showcase our instinct for empathy and we

showcase our instinct for empathy and we

showcase our instinct for empathy and we can even use the neat illusion to

can even use the neat illusion to

can even use the neat illusion to encourage and motivate us building

encourage and motivate us building

encourage and motivate us building robots for ourselves that help us break

robots for ourselves that help us break

robots for ourselves that help us break bad habits or reach new goals but the

bad habits or reach new goals but the

bad habits or reach new goals but the neat illusion can also be dangerous if

neat illusion can also be dangerous if

neat illusion can also be dangerous if it’s misused it is very easy for me to

it’s misused it is very easy for me to

it’s misused it is very easy for me to make a robot that gives us a sense of

make a robot that gives us a sense of

make a robot that gives us a sense of loss when it’s switched off or a sense

loss when it’s switched off or a sense

loss when it’s switched off or a sense of mutual joy when you help it

of mutual joy when you help it

of mutual joy when you help it accomplish a task and although you may

accomplish a task and although you may

accomplish a task and although you may feel you’re creating a relationship with

feel you’re creating a relationship with

feel you’re creating a relationship with the robot and doing what the robot needs

the robot and doing what the robot needs

the robot and doing what the robot needs to help it fulfill its purpose the robot

to help it fulfill its purpose the robot

to help it fulfill its purpose the robot is simply a tool that a technologist

is simply a tool that a technologist

is simply a tool that a technologist uses for you to form a relationship with

uses for you to form a relationship with

uses for you to form a relationship with them and tell them fulfill their purpose

them and tell them fulfill their purpose

them and tell them fulfill their purpose and that purpose may be self-improvement

and that purpose may be self-improvement

and that purpose may be self-improvement or arts or storytelling or human

or arts or storytelling or human

or arts or storytelling or human connection or it could be more selfish

connection or it could be more selfish

connection or it could be more selfish than that we’re talking about a method

than that we’re talking about a method

than that we’re talking about a method of puppeteering and manipulation that

of puppeteering and manipulation that

of puppeteering and manipulation that most of the public is not familiar with

most of the public is not familiar with

most of the public is not familiar with and as with jingles on the radio or

and as with jingles on the radio or

and as with jingles on the radio or chain letters or spam there will be a

chain letters or spam there will be a

chain letters or spam there will be a period of intense susceptibility to

period of intense susceptibility to

period of intense susceptibility to these methods until the neat illusion

these methods until the neat illusion

these methods until the neat illusion becomes normal we will probably be

becomes normal we will probably be

becomes normal we will probably be suckered into doing things we wouldn’t

suckered into doing things we wouldn’t

suckered into doing things we wouldn’t normally do I mean what are we gonna do

normally do I mean what are we gonna do

normally do I mean what are we gonna do if a power company can make us feel bad

if a power company can make us feel bad

if a power company can make us feel bad about turning off a light switch

about turning off a light switch

about turning off a light switch or if Google can ransom the cloud-based

or if Google can ransom the cloud-based

or if Google can ransom the cloud-based souls of our robo puppies

so I joke a bit but even if it’s not you

so I joke a bit but even if it’s not you selfishly the neat illusion can create

selfishly the neat illusion can create

selfishly the neat illusion can create accidental consequences if it’s used

accidental consequences if it’s used

accidental consequences if it’s used without forethought imagine a robot

without forethought imagine a robot

without forethought imagine a robot construction worker built with purpose

construction worker built with purpose

construction worker built with purpose that generates a sense of camaraderie

that generates a sense of camaraderie

that generates a sense of camaraderie among its human peers well it works

among its human peers well it works

among its human peers well it works alongside them generally positive but

alongside them generally positive but

alongside them generally positive but what we do when it malfunctions on the

what we do when it malfunctions on the

what we do when it malfunctions on the line endangering someone and we have to

line endangering someone and we have to

line endangering someone and we have to pull the plug in the 3 seconds and takes

pull the plug in the 3 seconds and takes

pull the plug in the 3 seconds and takes us to mentally reclassify our Robo

us to mentally reclassify our Robo

us to mentally reclassify our Robo friend as a machine well it injures

friend as a machine well it injures

friend as a machine well it injures someone who’s actually alive now my

someone who’s actually alive now my

someone who’s actually alive now my point is not that the neat illusion is

point is not that the neat illusion is

point is not that the neat illusion is bad the radio is not only used for

bad the radio is not only used for

bad the radio is not only used for jingles and email is not only used for

jingles and email is not only used for

jingles and email is not only used for spam it would be a shame if it were I

spam it would be a shame if it were I

spam it would be a shame if it were I think we’re gonna see the neat illusion

think we’re gonna see the neat illusion

think we’re gonna see the neat illusion used in modern technology as it has been

used in modern technology as it has been

used in modern technology as it has been in traditional media for years for

in traditional media for years for

in traditional media for years for incredible art and immersive

incredible art and immersive

incredible art and immersive storytelling for new ways of

storytelling for new ways of

storytelling for new ways of experiencing life and connection so my

experiencing life and connection so my

experiencing life and connection so my point is not that it’s bad my point is

point is not that it’s bad my point is

point is not that it’s bad my point is that it’s coming and it’s powerful

that it’s coming and it’s powerful

that it’s coming and it’s powerful and you should think about how you’re

and you should think about how you’re

and you should think about how you’re affected by it and how you may be

affected by it and how you may be

affected by it and how you may be affected by it in the future because it

affected by it in the future because it

affected by it in the future because it will affect us whether we think that’s

will affect us whether we think that’s

will affect us whether we think that’s true or not we can think this this is a

true or not we can think this this is a

true or not we can think this this is a robot we can think that this is a robot

robot we can think that this is a robot

robot we can think that this is a robot all we want but the illusion is very

all we want but the illusion is very

all we want but the illusion is very powerful it’s based on basic human

powerful it’s based on basic human

powerful it’s based on basic human empathy the same empathy we’ve built

empathy the same empathy we’ve built

empathy the same empathy we’ve built into our friendships our families and

into our friendships our families and

into our friendships our families and our society becoming hardened to the

our society becoming hardened to the

our society becoming hardened to the need illusion may mean rewriting some of

need illusion may mean rewriting some of

need illusion may mean rewriting some of our own code it may be questioning what

our own code it may be questioning what

our own code it may be questioning what is pre-programmed in the biological and

is pre-programmed in the biological and

is pre-programmed in the biological and the technological because this this

the technological because this this

the technological because this this little day what we feel when we see him

little day what we feel when we see him

little day what we feel when we see him that’s how deep programming I’m really

that’s how deep programming I’m really

that’s how deep programming I’m really uncomfortable watching him be in pain

uncomfortable watching him be in pain

uncomfortable watching him be in pain and I think it’s a good question to ask

and I think it’s a good question to ask

and I think it’s a good question to ask whether we’re ever gonna be able to see

whether we’re ever gonna be able to see

whether we’re ever gonna be able to see something that appears alive and feel

something that appears alive and feel

something that appears alive and feel nothing to watch it struggle and

nothing to watch it struggle and

nothing to watch it struggle and feel nothing to watch it die and feel

feel nothing to watch it die and feel

feel nothing to watch it die and feel nothing living things need other living

nothing living things need other living

nothing living things need other living things and we are alive aren’t we

”

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