The Uncanny Future of Androids Part Two

In our previous discussion of androids, I took a bit of a digression to talk a bit about how one of the most iconic androids in media stood up to the real world in terms of claimed computational speed and storage capacity. If we were to assume for the moment that Data's behaviors and mental abilities were reflective of the numbers given, we have a long, long way to go until we have Datas in every household.

But that raises an interesting question; what would the first applications of androids look like? To make as realistic an educational guess as possible, we first must understand why we would make androids to begin with. It would seem that the biggest reason is to provide a facsimile of human presence where humans interact with each other. If this was otherwise, What other reasons might we try to emulate the human form as closely as possible? You might say for efficient, relatable, and completely unpaid labor. But with the Uncanny Valley being what it is, I'd say places like Micky D's might find some trouble with customer service if they go that route. For example:

Credit: Richard Skinner
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Something feels... a little off...

Now with the first application I propose, the Uncanny factor still exists, but I imagine that by and large, unless it looks like a cross between Raggedy Ann and the Crypt Keeper, things will work out just fine. I am of course talking about the world's oldest profession. It's Prostitution 2.0.

Don't believe me? There is already a market for lifelike female facsimiles, and there's one company that is really doing it well. Take a look at RealDoll:

Credit: RealDoll/Abyss Creations
Altered for content.
Used for non-commercial purposes under Fair Use

Wow. That's a silicone doll. That's pretty impressive. Not only that; they're currently developing some sort of AI to accompany the... fleshy portions. Now I imagine that this isn't exactly the pinnacle of possibility (Think back to Data), but it does demonstrate one thing: There is a market for companionship. There is a market for sex. In one way, you can look at these dolls as the first - albeit primitive compared to what sci-fi nuts like me would expect - android. Welcome to the world of tomorrow.

Now here's something completely different. Sure, there's definitely a market for artificial companions, but let's extrapolate technology. In order to adequately convey realism that is nearly unparalleled to the real deal, I believe great strides in materials science specifically for the purpose will need to happen. We are talking some next level, WestWorld type of advancement. Take the skin for example. Real skin is complex, living, self repairing, and holy sh*t, there are a lot of layers to it:

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

All of these little systems contribute to the look, feel, texture, and flexibility of skin. Near perfect simulation - in this author's opinion - is certainly not impossible. However, it is quite a tall order. The smooth operation of the underlying locomotion and fine motor skills associated with arms, legs, and hands would be equally as difficult to emulate. Again, not impossible.

If we were able to emulate skin or arms or legs on this level, we could argue rather easily that these things could theoretically be used to replace damaged or diseased tissues in the human body. And if we are at the stage of materials science to do this, I'll wager that it's only another small step to reliably create artificial organs wholesale.

What does this mean? Artificial humans would be attempted of course, but replacement and repair of natural humans would run a really close race. In other words, we could become modern day Ships of Theseus. We replace ourselves slowly but surely over time, becoming more similar to the artifices we made in our own image.

I don't necessarily see that as being a bad thing. We are on the track to this as we speak. Who knows where we might end up in fifty to a hundred years? Being able to become hardy artificial copies of ourselves could extend the lifespan, and make long interstellar journeys possible with one generation.

Oh, imagine this. One day, humans become so advanced that the former biological Old Ones who have been around for thousands of years finally see the day where sex is but a pleasure, but not an obsolete method of reproduction. Instead, behavioral traits as well as physical traits are melded with those of their (originally natural or completely artificial) partners, and small minds are developed and grown over time in a substrate of the artificial human. New life would be created on the deepest level by creating a new mind to interact with. These would be the Pinnacle of "Designer Babies".

Moral of the story? The Transhuman revolution, and the eventual exploration of space might begin with a little bit of silicone.

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