Considering how “tech” is “so cool” “right now,” it’s only natural that some of the more paranoid members of the human race are worried that our days are numbered. Thankfully we have people like Ron to put our mortality into perspective and provide answers to this week’s query, which is about the possibility of robots overthrowing their creators.

Hey Ron!

You gotta help me put my mind at ease. I’m really starting to worry computer robots are going to take over the world. OK, maybe that sounds stupid, maybe you’ll think I’ve watched too much of the SyFy channel or something, but every year it seems worse. Ever since Kasparov lost to Deep Blue, it’s been getting bad. They came out with these mind-reading cell phone things that’ll update Twitter using brainwaves. How soon do you think before these computers get too smart and too powerful to control? How do you stop Google? What should I do in the worst case scenario?
Help me out. The valium works for going to sleep but during the day I chew my fingernails to a nub.

Yours,
J. Kane

I don’t see your fear of computers taking over the world to be too far-fetched in reality. I watch a lot of TV, and I have seen Jetson-era types of things happen. I haven’t seen flying cars yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s not in the future. But robots taking over? Hey, I watched the Will Smith movie just like everyone else.

On the other hand, man is very jealous. Man does not want anything to overcome itself. If robots take over, it will not be man’s doing. We will not make a robot that’s so smart they can overcome us. The robots will have to do that, and I don’t know if robots can be that smart without man making them that smart. Remember YK2 or 2KY or whatever that was? Didn’t happen. People panicked, computer guys made millions of dollars, and what happened? We’re still here.

Looking back at the neighborhoods I grew up in, computers weren’t an issue. There might’ve been one in the neighborhood, just like in the 60s one family would have a TV. We haven’t gotten as far as worrying about computers taking over the world yet. We’re still trying to get crack out of our neighborhoods. We’re trying to get rid of The Man, because he’s taking over our neighborhoods.

On your side of the tracks, which I’m hardly ever on unless I come to work, I end up being someone else. So, on one side, I don’t see the computer thing happening, but when I’m on the other side it becomes more of a possibility. Sometimes I consider myself a robot here at work. Maybe I am?

That said, white people are much more susceptible to conspiracy theories because they have nothing else to do with their free time. They’re out there picketing for everything: animal rights, women’s rights, abortions—they’ll picket the picketers because they have nothing else to do. When it comes to the Big Bang Theory and what’s going to happen with evolution, there’s always some white guy who has an opinion. Black people have an opinion too, but it’s more about “I think I should get more food stamps,” or “I think I want to live in a better neighborhood.”

I guess what I’m saying is don’t let your life revolve around worrying about computers, and if you’re on any type of medication get off it because it’s not helping you right now. Stay focused and forget about the computer era. Google is going to be Google, and they’re going to do what they do. Use it to your advantage and let it go.

Love,
Ron

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