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  • Turned On

  • Science, Sex and Robots
  • By: Kate Devlin
  • Narrated by: Kate Devlin
  • Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (21 ratings)
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Turned On cover art

Turned On

By: Kate Devlin
Narrated by: Kate Devlin
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Summary

 

The idea of the seductive sex robot is the stuff of myth, legend and science fiction. From the ancient Greeks to 21st-century movies, robots in human form have captured our imagination, our hopes and our fears. But beyond the fantasies there are real and fundamental questions about our relationship with technology as it moves into the realm of robotics. 

Sexual activity is central to our very existence; it shapes how we think, how we act and how we live. With advances in technology come machines that may one day think independently. What will happen to us when we form close relationships with these intelligent systems? Sex robots are here and here to stay, and more are coming. 

This audiobook explores how the emerging and future development of sexual companion robots might affect us and the society in which we live. It explores the social changes arising from emerging technologies and our relationships with the machines that may someday care for us and about us. 

Chapter by chapter, this audiobook will build on the science and the philosophy surrounding our most intimate relationship with technology. The scene is set with the history of the artificial sexual companion, then goes on to explore the ‘modern’ robot and the 20th-century sci-fi that promised us our own robot slaves. 

This is followed by an explanation of artificial intelligence and the urge to create sentient machines. It delves into our own psychology: how does desire affect our own behaviour, and can we become attached to an inanimate object? This then leads to a discussion of the good (robots making society a better place) and the bad (the potential for all to go wrong).

©2018 Kate Devlin (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

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    4 out of 5 stars

Really interesting starting point

I really enjoyed listening to this book and will definitely do so again to properly absorb all the information and follow up on references (one of the most annoying thing about not having the physical book in front of you is a Audible doesn't provide you with a set of End Notes or images).

Kate Devlin's voice is lovely to listen to and her dictation easily carries her enthusiasm and humour. It's a fun topic to get to research.

I've always had a interest in our personification of technology. This book covered this in an easy to follow manner and many of the topics connected to that. As well as speech software, learning programmes, hardware and human bonding. It also covers the fun, naughty bits.

The only thing that bothered me was I'm not sure the book offers as many concrete conclusions or opinions as I'd like. Although in such a relatively new and very fast moving field maybe that's unfair to expect. The book left me eager to read more of her work and on the topic.

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Accessible, witty and thought-provoking

Dr Devlin is more than just expert in her subject, she is also a thoughtful and engaging speaker and writer whose warmth and open-mindedness make this a book which can connect fully with a general non-technical audience. While the central focus is the emergence of artificial humans into the field of human sexuality, she offers equally valuable insights into the human conditions of romance and desire.

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