An Ominous Portent
Posted by Ross Rosenberg
I have said it before but it seems that it bears repeating: our time left on this planet is short and one day — no doubt sooner rather than later — mechanized monstrosities will cleanse us from this sapphire spheroid in a wave of robotic fury, probably with lasers in their eyes. That said it is disheartening to watch this clip of someone’s dachshund, named Jerry, playing fetch with a ball tossing robot. To know that we’ve already let them into our homes to entertain our pets is just…I mean…they’re man’s best friends for God’s sake. MAN’S!
I fear for our future, dear readers, for while Jerry seems to be having a wonderful time I can just as easily see him returning the ball to this evil little device and waiting eagerly for the sound that lets him know another throw is imminent. No sound this time though, as the ball falls from its perch and bounces — once, twice — when suddenly, Jerry is scooped up and flung through the air with incredible velocity, his skull dashed upon the wall as he collides with it. You may think me morbid but I’m just being realistic. Do you think I want this to happen to Jerry? Certainly not, but it will if we don’t do something about this mechanical cancer. It’s time to ask yourself whose side you are on, theirs…or Jerry’s
Jerry needs no help playing with his ball. [YouTube] : Cynical-C
Categories: Animals, Robots, Warnings
Posted at 1:55 pm on March 17, 2008
9 Comments -
Indeed. The robotic menace is growing and easing its way into our hearts and minds. I must admit, (relunctantly) however, that I have been sleeping with the enemy for years. I’m not proud of it. I’m not ashamed of it. It’s just the way it is. And uhm, yeah. I think I will just leave it at that.
Comment by otep — March 17, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
That dog is absolutely adorable.
Comment by Mike — March 17, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Holy granma! I think this is stupid.
Maybe tennis is outmode in this period and ball-launcher company have to compensate bills….
For the adorable Jerry’s invisible-owner:
If you can’t play with your dog or keep company with him, don’t get a dog! Jerry needs no help playing with his ball becouse he can enjoy himself simply run after a cat or something, without the help of that thing.
Comment by Minerva — March 17, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Forget about the robot!! Just look at that freaking giant panda lurking in the background (first frames). Maybe the Panda created the robot, so it can help him with his nefarious plans!
Comment by Longinus — March 17, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
truly, our downfall is coming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1czBcnX1Ww
These monsters amaze me – there is something so damn animalistic about their movement. Check out about 1:25 in.
(found here http://www.newscientist.com/blog/technology/2008/03/robot-mule-is-like-bambi-on-ice.html)
Comment by Loz — March 17, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Does the dog form any attachment to the robot, I wonder? Or does the lack of organic output from the throwing arm let the dog believe, as we do, that it is basically unalive?
Comment by Eliza Gauger — March 17, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
i, for one, welcome our orb-hurling robot overlords.
Comment by zanbowser — March 18, 2008 @ 7:12 am
I’m with the robot.
You’re next, meatbag.
Comment by chesh — March 18, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
1. Once again, I’m convinced that, if aliens ever did visit us here on earth, one of the hardest things we would have to explain to them is why we have dogs.
2. Does the dog keep doing this even when there’s no human around to watch?
Comment by Mogo the Mugger — March 19, 2008 @ 8:13 pm