some time in college, i had an essay writing exam where in we were supposed to choose five topics and write an essay for each. so here's one.
Something A Robot Could Could Never Do
We've known robots since we were kids. Most boys had at least one for every birthday they had. The older they are, the more their robots can do; maybe when they were celebrating their second birthday, they got a robot that walks aimlessly with all the music it emits. Then on their fifth, maybe a robot that walks but this time, stops to bust a move! On the seventh, a little boy gets his own robot taht walks, talks, and dances.
I grew up at the age of technology so maybe I can say that I grew with robots? As I grew up, so did technology. Now some robots can be found in some workplaces to help humans do more work and be more productive. In some TV shows, they even work in restaurants wherein you order from, and the cooking is done right in their bodies. They make the job easier and faster. Plus, they don't need to get paid! So a lot of companies are seeking for their own robot employees.
As one robot can lift something two men can't, both can get tired. A robot either needs to recharge batteries or needs to get plugged in. While humans need to sleep and eat to recover from the hard labor. But unlike robots, we aren't programmed to so specific tasks: robots were built to perform specific tasks, to function in specific ways — a robot cleaner cannot be commanded to print your paperworks. As humans designed and created robots, robots' abilities and knowledge are limited to what their Pepito's gave them, just like Pinocchio was not a real boy because he's made of wood.
Of all the things a robot can, I pity them for not having a choice and making decisions. Although I, for instance, don't make the best decisions in life, I'd rather make the wrong ones than not have one at all. Imagine: you're an airplane and you don't have a say on where to go because the pilot has one in mind. Unlike us, they also don't get to choose the field they wnat to work in. Robots won't even experience the struggle of choosing between having pasta or your Friday night hangout. Even a simple "yes or no" wasn't given to them: they don't get to choose when to stop doing what they are told to. Then imagine this: you have a robot for a best friend, and you would get help for almost anything work-related, right? However, your best friend wouldn't be able to help you figure out which would be the best dress for your first date! Too bad, isn't it?
Although a robot can live longer since it doesn't get sick the way humans so, I don't want to be one even if you tell me that my brain could be replaced and I can serve a different purpose now, and later, another. I'd still not take it even if I'm offered a reboot after a terrible experience. Because not having the liberty to choose is like being able to live for more than a hundred years with all the wrong people. So despite having the fear of not knowing what happens at life after death, I'd rather choose to die someday, than not have a choice at all.
— 22 July '16
