The point of this, for those that miss it, is that play like this is what leads to advancements. Self guided robots that can help the elderly and disabled, work in hospitals delivering and cleaning, do janitorial work in offices and factories, do dangerous work, fight wars, etc.
A few philosophical points (and some good ideas pubwvj):
We've already become too dependent on technology. We've become so dependent the majority of us "connect" through 1's and 0's on displays that give a false sense of belonging. Don't misunderstand, it's great that we can connect with people easily in many parts of the world, however it's at the cost of sheltering ourselves from physical, social contact. My good friend works in H.R. for a company based in NYC. The college grads and 20 somethings lack basic social skills, many of them don't make eye contact and text during job interviews.
The concept of producing robots/tech for war is troubling. Having more/all unmanned tech fight our will increase the already violent and dangerous weaponry as it will become more akin to a video game with the distance bet humanity and the battle field greatened. As for jobs/dangerous jobs, they're still jobs many need. With a faltering, volatile economy based on a an unsteady stock market, we've seen the dangers of investment banking, capitalistic corruption on par with a world tied to a system of uncertainty that makes communism seem "fair", and many people losing their jobs and homes (not from ignorance on their end, but from banks/investors shilling out so much, betting against defaults, derivatives, etc. - my father was an investment banker with Bear Stearns until his retirement in the 90's, I know the game all too well). We can't afford to lose a job market, and the skills and education required to develop and maintain such technology is out of reach for those many due to costs in education, etc. which wouldn't create more jobs, there would be less and a great socio-economic divide.
My point in this looooong *** comment, there's a good and bad side to too much tech. The internet is a great learning tool, yet the biggest market online is porn. The stock market could work well, yet greed has produced a very unsteady global financial market. Humanity takes something great, and ***** all over it. We get so caught up on "if" we can do it, we forget about "why" we're doing it, and the ramifications. The atom bomb is a great example, scientists and engineers get carried away they forget the philosophical complications of their work, leading to more inhumanity. I would like to see bioengineering for those who have lost limbs or need transplants, that is fascinating. My father lost both his legs due to diabetic non-compliance, was married to his work and didn't take care of his health, and I've had friends who have lost a lot in the wars overseas, it would be amazing to accomplish. However, we need to draw a line in the sand, and agree on what is beneficial and what is detrimental. We've already lost so much humanity in the past decade for many reasons, I don't want more technology getting between us and life for the sake of "improving" what is already great: ourselves.
/end rant
