Albert's helpers by A_Sunbeam
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Description
Albert’s getting older.
And more forgetful, of course, but he’s managing quite well with our help.
Our? Yes, there’s two of us - though he’s supposed to have just the one android helper at home. I’m the latest domestic model and she’s the original DZ Maria issued by the Ministry of Health. He didn’t want to lose her, so when I came we hid her and told the Ministry she had been reassigned. They didn’t bother to check since they are sure androids cannot lie.
Ah yes – our day.
Albert usually wakes about 6am – often helped by the cats, who want to go into the garden.
He gets himself washed, dressed and so on while Maria prepares his breakfast.
Then, if the weather is half decent, I take him out shopping (more for exercise than for purchasing goods) and we meet some of his friends in the City Park. He doesn’t recognise them all, of course.
Back home he’ll have a mug of tea and I settle him at his desktop to look at the news (filtered, of course, so he won’t get upset) and his favourite apps till lunchtime.
No, he doesn’t say an awful lot in the morning.
After lunch (nothing heavy) he tends to fall asleep on the settee with the cats.
How many? Three at the moment.
Not very exciting, as you say. He tends to chat more in the evening. And they just issue their commands, eat and sleep.
Yes, Maria and I do talk – mostly about things to do or what shopping to order.
Quite ordinary things. Nothing Earth-shattering.
Then until Albert wakes up for his afternoon mug of tea Maria and I carry out what tasks planned for the day or check on the latest news (unfiltered) or study or just read – yes, I know – ‘brain the size of a planet’ and all that – but sometimes you just want to relax.
Albert will then go back to his desktop for a while and come downstairs again when the evening meal is being prepared and he can have an aperitif or two.
Ah yes – he does get much more talkative with an aperitif – it seems to stimulate his tongue and his memory – and we discuss all sorts of different themes and ideas that interest him.
After the evening meal is finished and dishes are all washed and sided (Albert insists on drying them and putting them away) we might sit and watch one of his favourite videos or an old film on the tv (nothing terribly modern, or large) or just talk until he gets tired. Then we leave him to get himself to bed. And apart from the toilet being flushed a few times in the night – and the cats wanting in or out or both – that’s it till the morning.
Dull? Not at all. There are days when you just can’t be bothered with a huge input of data.
Albert’s reminiscences are often quite sufficient – and he has a great sense of humour!
[Filed under Science Fiction for the moment ... we need a new genre... "Modern World" perhaps?]
[Yeah - I need these too!]
Comments (10)
Tracesl
excellent
anitalee
nice
starship64 Online Now!
Nicely done!
Radar_rad-dude
Wonderful image and splendid description! Many fine praises from me!
Buraki
I really like this, I think you have invented a unique new art genre, maybe 'a view of future life', get it patented fast! The subject of how androids could change life is quite interesting, your views and writing are certainly well thought out.
varasah
....androids cannot lie.....and when they do.....I am not sure I want to even think about that LOL. This universe you've created with the bots is very cool. And with each new instalment of these android adventures we get an additional glimpse into this universe.
Buraki
I'm still pondering the possabilities of a new genre. 'Science fiction' really is a bit sixties and dated. This isn't fiction anymore because androids exist. It's a very interesting theme and artists have a huge wealth of figures and props. 'AI'.. nope, that one is used. 'IA'.. Intelligent Androids? Maybe derive a new word, for example from 'humankind' to 'humanlike'? This is going to keep me awake all afternoon now!
A_Sunbeam
I've spent a while mulling over this very point, and, just to see how clever AI is, I asked ChatGPT to suggest some words for the 'creatures'. It came up with a pile of ideas, most of which turned out to be trademarks. It's a pity, but Chat cannot produce any evidence for original spontaneous thought. 'Humanoid' or 'humanlike' covers the structure of the body, but all the bots in my images are obviously imaginary because they are clearly intelligent. When I came across the 'Detroit becomes human' film/game I thought yes, that's what I've dreamt up - the helpful, intelligent 'robot' that can act as domestic, or nursemaid, or source of information, a companion - especially for old buggers like me who are bedevilled with arthritis, memory hiccups and a need for an intelligent being who can keep my brain active ... So all suggestions are welcome!
Buraki
After several hours of thought I came up with 'Aidroid', combining Aid with Android.
A_Sunbeam
It certainly covers the caring and medical needs of oldies. Maybe 'companions' will do for some, stressing 'helpful' and 'company'.
Buraki
I looked for many robot definitions and types, tried to find something that fitted the concepts of 'companion, intelligent and domestic helper'. In all the excitement I forgot which web page it was but I got this: SOCIAL ROBOTS: Robots that are not content in just serving their human masters but also want to befriend them. 'Social Robots' isn't exactly catchy but it's as close as I expect to get after 3 days!
A_Sunbeam
Well, Social Robot/Android certainly covers the ground. Aidroid just needs the one short word - which is what I was looking for - short and simple. I shall mull over the ideas. The story, by the way, seeems to be writing itself - mosttly in the small hours!.
APlusDesign
Androids can obviously lie...this one is fairly harmless of a lie of course, but I can see that foretelling more dangerous events happening in the background!