The Future is Already Here
It’s a science fiction staple: the robot servant, ready to do whatever you want. No more tedious jobs like washing up or cleaning the house. Just ask handy old JX23 to do it. Your own personal domestic droid. Wouldn’t it be great to have one now? Sadly, they haven’t been invented yet. Or have they?
I’m not talking about those experimental humanoid ‘robots’ that are being developed in university laboratories around the world such as Asimo. You know the ones; we see them every now and then on TV when there’s a show about the shape of things to come. It occurred to me this morning, when I returned home after dropping our daughter to school that we’re closer to a robot reality than we think.
A Robot Reality
I walked into the kitchen to be greeted by the softly humming noises of the breadmaker kneading the dough, a washing machine filling itself with water, and the dishwasher pleasantly slooshing warm water over our dishes. As I prepared my breakfast, I realised that each of these devices is actually a kind of robot. Granted none of them are mobile and don’t recognise vocal commands, but that’s surely a detail, isn’t it? They were all performing their automated tasks efficiently, without complaint and with the minimum of instruction. Because of them, I no longer need to wash my own dishes, clothes or make my own bread. Because of that, I can now go to my computer and write this blog post.
Look For the Reality
We spend a great deal of our time concerned with what is missing from our lives. I wish I had more money. I wish I had a better relationship with my partner. I wish my kids would study harder. I wish I had a better car. Sometimes we need to recognise that what we seek may be right in front of us. If you want a better relationship with your partner, be nicer to them and give them all your attention. If you want your kids to study harder, spend more time discussing what they are studying with them.
What Have You Missed?
What are the realities that you are missing right now? Take a good look, see if you can find them around you and value them more. They may be just what you’re seeking.
