Instead of spending any time (so far) addressing issues in my last post, Turkle introduces us to one of the most buffoonish men in the world.His name is Tony and he is a fifty year old high school teacher.
At this point I ask for prayers for Tony's students. They are so screwed. This man is...well, let's let good ole Tony speak for himself!
So Tony's mother-in-law is in her mid-80s. She has the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease and it is looking like she might have to come and live with Tony and her daughter. Tony weighs the pros and cons of a robot helper for his mother-in-law. Reading his remarks it is clear that....well, no. Let's let ole Tony speak for himself.
"Well if I compare a robot with having an immigrant in my house, the kind of person who is available to take care of an elderly person, the robot would be much better."
An immigrant? Tony, did you really say that? Tony, were your grandparents, parents and are you, Cherokee? Hopi?
"The kind of person" - what kind of person is that, Tony?
He continues with his brilliance, his wise words, "It [the robot] wouldn't be rude or illiterate or steal from you." (p. 143) (Like who would, Tony? An immigrant?)
Ms. Turkle, is this man for real? Have you NOTHING to say about his comments? Ms. Turkle, would you say that THIS man is someone you'd like to spend time with as opposed to, oh I don't know, a Furby? Because I'll take the Furby.
But wait! There's more!
He then goes on to say that the guy who works down at the bank isn't even "from the
neighborhood" (page 145) This guy really doesn't like outsiders. I am so glad he is teaching impressionable children! Better they learn from him than from Cog.
I found it bizarre that Tony quoted radical feminist Marilyn French in his reasoning that a robot might be good to care for children, for the "s*&t-and-string-beans" part. (page 144) I mean who would have thought that this guy's favorite book is probably TheWomen's Room!
He is a man of mystery.
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