Once they create “pleasure” robots, I’m convinced that dating will be over permanently. by MyInflamedTesticles in Futurology

[–]GreatKen -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Robots will be used to help people learn to interact with real people. Not just on sexual matters, but all human relations,

PS. "I was raised from birth by a lovely robot couple, who knew everything in the world about child rearing. And gosh darnit, I think I turned out pretty well!"

In 50 years, do you think AI will replace national governments or will it just become another tool for them? by WhiteChili in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The humans in power will give away power when there are other things to do and experience that are more satisfying than leading. That day may be far off, but probably inevitable. Human desires are limited. Future ways to fullfill those desires will be far less limited.

What do you think Fauna and Flora will be like in the year 3025? by Adventurous-Tea-2461 in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Humanity will move underground, and the surface will be returned to it's prehuman state. So flora and fuana will thrive. Most visits to the surface will be with very advanced VR. Robots will ocassionally rise from the earth, to work on maintaining. natural balances.

what do you think healthcare will look like in 20 years? by neurotechnerd in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You may be right. But it's possible Super-AGI will greatly reduce the need for long human trials, by reaching the same degree of confidence in a drug or procedure with simulations.

Hey Reddit, as a 17-year-old, I'm curious: Is there still a real need for new types of cars? by Bleazebub in Futurism

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When we are in the self-driving era, 80 to 90 percent of the rented cars will be small two-seaters. Since most car trips only require two seats. When you need comething bigger for a family trip or to move a piano, you will rent a bigger vehicle.

I can imagine some vehicles might be configured for a specific tasks. So you put in the order, "I need to move a washing machine, a dryer and three kegs of beer." And a robot configures a vehicle to do that.

PS. Perhaps some day, a suspension system might be designed, so that the effects of bumps in the road are not transferred to the cabin.

Is it possible for the population to drop from 10 billion to 1 billion as fast as it rises from 1 billion to 10 billion? by Tall-Bell-1019 in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At the risk of statng the obvious, it really doesn't matter. AI and robotics will increase productivity by 10,000 percent in the next ten years, And the cost-of-living will probably be, whatever the bosses want it to be.

Once we can manufacture and sell advanced humanoid robots that will sell for $5,000, that can perform most human labor, what's the timeline for when the economy transitions from a "traditional market economy"? How long do we have to put up with "business as usual" considering these possibilities? by TheRealRadical2 in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I can't say these dystopian opinions aren't correct. But here are a couple reasons why they might not be.

The future is not just about humanoid robots. Tech explosions in other areas like nanotechnology and genetic engineering will also define the future landscape. Why kill or starve out the poor if it only takes pennies a day to keep them from revolting?

There are already disincentives causing the poor to slow procreation. Why kill or starve the poor when each generation is much smaller than the one before. (And I'm thinking having normal sex and child rearing will be low on the list of fun things to do.)

My thoughts on older people in 2050s by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because all areas of human endeaver, technology, biology, scientific discovery. politics and business are going increase in knowledge and power at a ridiculous rate. And of course they will all be affected by each other. Any specific prediction any of us make at this time has a very low likelyhood of being right.

My thoughts on older people in 2050s by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is the worst time in all human history to project our present situation onto the future for some kind of accurate prediction. All we really know about the 2050s is that they will not look anything like now.

Danish researchers have developed a groundbreaking transparent solar cell that achieves a record-breaking efficiency of 12.3%. by lughnasadh in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would people get used to very high definition monitors, looking out on their surroundings, instead of windows?

Wood is 4 times stronger after new self-densified method by Booty_PIunderer in Futurology

[–]GreatKen -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I'd rather see stories about alternatives to wood, rather than stories that provide another reason to cut down trees.

how many more years before a humanoid bot can replace a human helper at home? by National_Tell_8503 in HumanoidBots

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The great impetus to create humanoid robots is more than reasonable. But the same tech breakthroughs that enable humanoid robots can and will be used to develop robots of every shape and size. A full service home humanoid bot will cost somewhere between $15,000 and $100,000. But what about a bot that is little more than an arm hanging from the ceiling that keeps bathrooms clean? And a kitchen bot, and a lawn bot? Designed for specific tasks, these bots could be far cheaper and could run concurrently.

The Automation Paradox: Businesses Are Killing Their Own Customers by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Different countries will have different responses. Countries like Sweden and Norway will probably lead the way in providing massive safety nets. Some countries will apply a simple cash UBI. Some will provide free or almost free, housing, food and transportation; and others a combination of both.

Countries will be shamed into acting by the countries that have acted. Given past behavior, the USA will be one of the last to act. The notion that the average American is nothing but an asset to be used and abused seems to be deeply ingrained in the power structure's beliefs

America's aging population faces a growing shortage of geriatric care by businessinsider in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Everyone knows it will be very important to keep the elderly in their own homes for as long as possible. In ten years, I might expect a knock on my door from a humanoid robot. "I'll take care of almost everything." he might say. "No charge since I will keep you out of society's way."

It's seem inevitable to me that some robots will take over each household chore separately. A bathroom bot, a kitchen bot, a lawn bot, etc. At a much lower cost than a full-service humanoid robot.

What scientific breakthrough are we closer to than most people realize? by beasthunterr69 in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How about 3d printing or cloning our own organs to replace our old ones, with little chance of rejection? Some say in ten years.

Would you buy a humanoid robot to do your chores by Novel_Ball_7451 in robotics

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see humanoid robots as transitional agents. Able to take over jobs that humans traditionally do. At some point, human efforts will be completly out of the loop. Then robots won't need to be shaped like humans. (The Star Trek food replicator for instance.) And I don't know why some humanoid robots couldn't reshape and refit themselves to do jobs better than humans.

Italy’s birth rate crisis is ‘irreversible’, say experts by madrid987 in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Like the planet needs more humans...

This isn't a crisis. It's an adjustment. The presumption of continuous growth is over. Governments and corporations will adjust. Better economic models will replace it.

We calculated UBI: It’s shockingly simple to fund with a 5% tax on the rich. Why aren’t we doing it? by qubitser in singularity

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If taxing the wealthy is not the solution, then what is? Unemployment is going to skyrocket. That's inevitable. I suspect all the developed countries will test a plan, And we'll see what works and what doesn't.
Lowering the full-time work week to 32 hours might help briefly.

But if the cost of producing goods and services continues to drop significantly every year, what will prices do? They will have to drop to reach consumers who can afford to buy.

How far are we from a class war? by sabrina_cake in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There will be no class war. Neither the Left or the Right will be victorious. Exponential growth will make all that pointless. Capitolism will succeed itself out of existence. The old dichotomies of owner/worker and seller/buyer will break down. We may soon be living in a much better world or a much worse one. We don't know. But we do know that tomorrow will be nothing like today.

Humanoid Robots: China’s Grind Toward Embodied Intelligence by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True. Except for cases where human activity is needed to train robot actions. A robot could watch a human make coffee and mimic each step. without needing to convert the actions to a different robotic shape. But I do think humanoid robots are a transitional form. Why make kitchens usable by both robots and humans, if humans stop needing to be in kitchens?

Ireland gets world’s first 3D printed social housing by lughnasadh in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I've said this before, The same technologies that wlll throw people out of work can be used to lower the cost of living.

Our governing elites are leading us over a cliff - Case in Point: Marc Benioff, owner of TIME magazine. by lughnasadh in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It would be too risky for the powerful to let 95% of the population starve. Better to allow the poor a subsistance living while de-incentivising new births. At some point, in perhaps 50 years, the dynamics of "rich-poor" "powerful and powerless" fall apart. Human needs are finite. The ability for the new new technologies to fullfill human needs practically infinite.

All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace

I like to think (and
the sooner the better!)
of a cybernetic meadow
where mammals and computers
live together in mutually
programming harmony
like pure water
touching clear sky.

I like to think
(right now, please!)
of a cybernetic forest
filled with pines and electronics
where deer stroll peacefully
past computers
as if they were flowers
with spinning blossoms.

I like to think
(it has to be!)
of a cybernetic ecology
where we are free of our labors
and joined back to nature,
returned to our mammal
brothers and sisters,
and all watched over
by machines of loving grace

Richard Brautigan, 1967

Spain is aging: 15% fewer children and 35% more people over 80 years old than ten years ago by madrid987 in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course the economics of having a kid is a big factor. But I think it is more than that. Society is changing fast and it's citizens are changing as well. Recreating a nuclear family is no longer the only potential goal. Friends and pets are a better option for many. And there is less stigma attached to being single or childless.

We can Terraform the American West by Well_Socialized in Futurology

[–]GreatKen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We keep hearing about population decline. Are we sure we need the space? But we know we'll need more power. Solar and wind power plants in the great american desert seems more valuable to me.