Wednesday Poll: Virtually Real

A very dear old friend--a.k.a. "Best Man Friend" from posts past--mentioned the other day that he would really like to have a Pleo.

What is a Pleo, you ask?

Well near as I can tell (except for the fact that I'm assuming you can shut it off) I gather the Pleo is like a small pet.  It's a cutie, little, dinosaur robot that has the ability to learn and sense things.  From the Pleo website: "Pleo feels hunger and fatigue - offset by powerful urges to explore and be nurtured. He'll graze, nap and toddle about on his own -when he feels like it!"  For example, the Pleo will learn to come to your voice, and he can feel it when you stroke him. 

Here's a cute video of one at Sea World interacting with dolphins (skip to the middle) just to let you see what one is like in action.  He's really kind of a winning little, um...creature?

With that all in mind, for this week's poll:

Do you think you would be interested in a "pet" like this?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of pet over the real kind?  How would it change your answer if it was a virtual child rather than a virtual pet?

Comment and discuss.

Comments

[Sarah]

Admittedly, it would be nice to have a pet that could be ignored at times, like when you have to go away overnight. But the main reason for me to have a pet is the furry, cuddly loving they give. I think I would find a virtual pet to be a novelty for about a day, but then it would become another discarded toy in my house. My baby, though, will never stop being interesting. (My baby is a not-quite-2-year-old cocker spaniel.) So I'd rather have being gone from the house for more than 12 hours be a hassle over having a low-maintenance "pet" that will not curl up on my lap and lick my face when I'm crying.

[StacyH]

I think if I had allergies or something, it might be interesting.

But in place of a real pet ... no way. Or, in place of a real cat or dog, probably not. Doggies and kitties have such unique personalities and are so loving and comforting. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think a robot-type one can replace that.

However, if priced appropriately might make a good "you can have a dog when you've trained this" tool for young ones. :)

And no robo-kids for me.

[Meryl]

I guess what strikes me about this is how real things like this are starting to get.

Brings up questions about what it means to be "alive". Is it that we feel and sense things? Because this robot can feel and sense things. Is it that we can learn? Because this robot can learn. Is it that we have free will? Because this robot seems to be at least on the verge of having that as well.

On a gut level I understand why a Pleo is different than a dog, but it's hard to translate that into some sort of logical distinction. Your dog licks your face when you're sad, something she's been programed to do through genetics and positive reinforcement. With a Pleo they're just replacing the genetic programming with computer programming.

[Fergus' Mom]

Pre-Fergus (Post-Katie) I considered for about a second and a half getting a robo-dog, for many of the same reasons listed (no more late night/rainy day walks, no pooper scooping, etc), BUT I think I had the same thought Sarah did that it would go the way of the the once loved toy.

Makes me think of old school Battlestar Gallactica and the 'daggett'. WHICH, if dogs were no longer available then yes, I'd consider ;o)

No robo-kids for me, either.

Excellent question about what it means to 'live'. I know you said the little Pleo can feel things, but can it love? Maybe Fergus has been conditioned to launch himself at me whenever we've been separated for a time, but I'm not convinced a Pleo would do the same. Don't get me wrong, he is quite darling, but Fergus wins.

[Meryl]

Truth.

Maybe I'm just feeling bitter because the only value I seem to have to my terrier lately is that I have opposable thumbs and can therefore pick up and throw a toy. :)

[Fergus' Mom]

Cracking up, you raise a VERY valid point ;o)

I'm also handy for opening the door to the backyard and delivering kibble at the appointed times!

[Abby]

I would definitely get one for my kids if (lets face it--when) they started begging for a pet. I'll let them have a go at how much work they are w/o me having to clean up after another "animal." Robo-kids would be weird. There's a survival-of-humanity-passing-on-your-knowledge kind of thing that goes along w/ having kids. They're not just novelties you bring into your life on a whim for companionship like pets can be.

[Meryl]

That's also very true. I think if/when Sweet Husband and I decide to have kid, one of the reasons will be to have a person that's a little bit of both of us--not something you get with a robo-kid.

And I think part of the joy of having a kid or a pet is the bad parts--does that make sense? Although I complain about it, I love Moe all the more because we've been through the peeing-in-the-house phase and the chewing phase and the door-dashing phase. I don't think I would be as invested if I could just turn him off when he gets inconvenient.

[StacyH]

Thats true too. With our dog she was sick in the beginning and we like to think we rescued her and made her well again. I don't know if you'd get that from a robo-pet.

I think humans have an endless capacity to love, and they instinctively want to pass that on or share it with others or something like that. I think it's why so many couple up and have children and get pets; this desire to love (and be loved, of course). Though fun and really quite cute and ingenious, I don't know that these fun robo's fill that need.

I too am good for filling kibble and water dish. If said items are not done, the injured party acts most offended. I don't know - she's a pain in the butt and I have to plan travel much more carefully - but it's really nice to come home to an excited dog. I know we all agree, pets are great.