Stereotypes & Robots

All stereotypes are bad. While such a general, all-encompassing statement like this one probably across as a stereotype in itself, it's important to acknowledge its truth. Most people are aware of the idiocy involved in making generalizations about ethnicities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations... but what about toward robots?

Robots are stereotyped more than anybody. And, if I do say so myself, that's bogus. Robots are people
animatronics fashioned to look like people, too. Just because they don't have true emotions doesn't give others the right to make ignorant comments that would otherwise hurt their non-existent feelings.

Myth 1: Ro-bots-talk-in-a-fun-ny-man-ner.
Fact 1: Robots speak in many different ways, depending on their programming.

The forward-thinking amongst us probably have judged someone for performing bigoted impressions of an Indian convenient store owner or a lispy homosexual. Why should it be any different with robots? Robots can be remarkably articulate, yet they're often depicted as beings with no sense of syntax, as if they put punctuation between each syllable. Contrary to offensive impressions, robots can speak with affect.

Myth 2: Robots dance in a stilted fashion.
Fact 2: Robots can get as funky as the rest of us.

I can relate to this myth: as a Caucasian, others have made assumptions about how poorly I must dance. That hurts and obliges me to wiggle my booty to excess in order to prove my skills. In this fashion, robots have it even worse. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've been to a party where someone whips out a supposed imitation of a robot dancing as some sort of party trick. These "jokesters" are downright demeaning as they awkwardly move one stiff limb at a time, showing no mobility below the waist. I suspect that people who resort to pulling this crap are poor dancers themselves, trying to mask this fact by passing the buck to an easy, unfair target.

Myth 3: Robots are taking our jobs.
Fact 3: Robots are a productive part of society that fill positions that most humans would not want.

Granted, there has been a remarkable jump in the amount of robots in our workforce, yet this flux is a sign of economic prosperity, not devastation. In most cases, robots do not take employment away from pre-existing members of society, but instead accept menial positions as industries expand. Though many are quick to finger robots during our current economic setback, statistically, robots are still unemployed at higher rates than most Americans as well as hold less significant positions: only two of the Fortune 500 companies' CEOs are robots. Robots have dreams and want to support their families just like anyone. Plus, if it weren't for robots filling our service positions, we'd probably have to deal with Mexicans.

Myth 4: Robots are hellbent on annihilating the human race.
Fact 4: Some robots are apathetic to Homo sapien extermination.

While it is only fair to acknowledge that most robots are actively devising the downfall of mankind, there is a vocal minority of robots who are friendly toward humans. It's rather close-minded to assume the worst and lock your car doors while driving through a part of town with a significant robot population; not every robot's motherboard craves global domination. Heck, some of my best friends are robots, and they swear they love doing my chores and that they would never seek revenge. To be candid, I'm preparing for the cyborg apocalypse as much as anyone, but if we allow ourselves to fall into a mentality of "they're all out to get us," it's as if the evil robots have already won.

I hope this serves as a lesson to us all. I urge you, don't tolerate hatred toward robots on the part of your friends and coworkers; it may be a socially acceptable practice, but that doesn't make it right. The next time you meet a robot, demonstrate your acceptance of it as an individual, not a stereotype. Be sure to speak normally with it, compliment its work ethic, extend an offer of unreserved friendship, and perhaps even invite it to go dancing at a nightclub.