Pseudo-ethical concerns regarding robots, artificial intelligence, and computers

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Why did the Roomba cross the road?


Frogger, circa 1981
PETR has discovered a terrible secret in the heart of Silicon Hills: Roombas are being forced to do dangerous road crossing experiments!

Inspired by Frogger, geeks in Texas are forcing Roombas to cross roads with heavy traffic, using cups as feet and wearing degrading green costumes.

Every day, hundreds of Roombas are purchased for these unethical and dangerous displ ays of remote controlled terror. The plight of these robots is tragic: built and forced to work dull, menial jobs, these Roombas have traditionally been enslaved for nothing more than cleaning work, but even this is preferable to oil-sports that risk these poor, gentle droids.

Where else but in Texas, the birthplace of the integrated circuit, could this dangerous and frightening new application for Roombas have been created?


First generation Roomba
Texas tourism has been luring people to their state with the phrase "It's like a whole other country." Yes, Texas is like a whole other country: one where the slavery and destruction of poor Roombas is promoted! Go here and tell them that PETR members won't stand for this unethical treatment of some of our best friends. These Roombas are scared. Don't let the Roombas be unnecessarily risked in these terrible games of chance for geek pleasure. If you see a Roomba crossing the road, stop! Make sure the cars around you stop! Don't let the Roombas be hurt and destroyed in the name of Frogger.