Mechanical Animals – Programmed Pets (Part 2)

OMG! *Flashback* Furbies were soooo amazing (with that many o's). My sister and I had one and used to make them interact with each other, it was always funny. I am pretty sure that we still have them around somewhere...

Just because they were unrealistic pets didn't mean that they weren't fun. What about GigaPets? They were all the rage in like 3rd grade (for me). Everyone had one and they were merely pixelations of animals. But pretending like you had to feed and pick up after them and how they needed daily care made them more realistic.

Thanks for sharing, Jaxy.

My younger cousin also had a GigaPet. For some reason when she was in the other room I used to reset it so it "died". When she came back to play with it, she would be so disappointed and just thought she wasn't good at taking care of it. Luckily, she's much better with her real cat!

It's sad that people feel a need to buy fake pets when there are so many real animals that are abandoned and unwanted.

While yes, it is sad that people buy fake pets to take the place of real animals, but don't forget there are people that physically can't have pets. Some people have severe allergies to many pets and their dander. I know people who can't have pets because of this. And you say that there are many new medications out there to prevent reactions, but they aren't a cure-all. There are those that have both allergies and asthma; when paired together, these ailments can make it impossible to own a cat or dog and have it live in the same area that you do.

And you say that these two ailments are uncommon when paired? Asthma is more likely to develop in people with allergies (source). With the way trends are developing, a child born in the upcoming generation is twice as likely to develop asthma as a child born today (source). Sometimes it isn't that people don't want pets that need adopting, sometimes it is the physical impossibility that prevents them from it. And for children, buying fake pets keeps their interest and is an opportunity to learn about responsibility.

Also, a fake pet is a one time expense. Real animals require consistent expense to make sure that they are healthy and happy. There are many reasons why parents would prefer to give their kid a fake pet rather than a real pet (adopted or otherwise), but it doesn't mean that they don't want a real pet, it just may be inconvenient at the time.

Abandoned and unwanted animals are usually (in the west) pets that people treat like dispopsable toys. Surely such people should be encouraged to have a mechanical pet ? A lot of people treat pets like designer bling, so getting them to buy 'exclusive' mechanical things shouldn't be hard.

Robots have a role in disuading youngsters from getting unwanted 'pets'.

Electronic Pet Shop has a range of new and exciting electronic pets available to people that can't look after real pets. It's pets... without the poop! http://www.electronicpetshop.com

The only good thing about fake pets is that you can take the battery out when they get to be annoying, you cannot do that with a real one

Anybody know the way to Stepford ?

No.

No elaboration should be needed.

I think the OP meant 'instead of a pet', not 'to replace a pet'.

Anyway, why is no elaboration needed ? How about "why feed an expensive pet while children starve ?" or "why own an animal that can kill or spread disease".

It's quite valid to simply post a one word answer, but elaborating makes it more worthwhile. I've (as yet) no opinion on the question in general either way. Wouldn't want a robot pet myself, but they may have a place for some.

No, unless I am allergic to the real thing.

I had two sets of a cat and a dog, then a set of two dogs, and now I have one aging dog that also needed a home.

Just yesterday I read the reason why:

Why having a dog is like being on drugs: Article from HealthZone.ca

Please visit link: http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/595994

Jaan

Sometimes In The Winds Of Change We Find Our True Direction

Furby makes me sad. I though my parents were hiding a Nintendo 64 in the back room....turns out I got a Furby. Eventually...I pulled and Office Space and made a video of my Furby and my buddy's receiving the same abuse as the copy machine.

The idea of robotic animals is exciting for those with allergies I'd assume, but if you don't really have allergies to worry about the experience of building a relationship with a pet is top notch.

So...no cleanup of hair and feces, no food to buy, but will the mechanical dog of 2015 match up to PJ black lab of awesomeness who scares of the coyote? Doubt it.

Also, check this link out http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/7961

I think its fair to say that people wouldn't buy an electronic pet instead of purchasing a real one... Even Pleo, which is widely regarded as the most lifelike electronic pet available does not quite seem real. I don't think people would choose to buy an electronic pet instead of one that's been abandoned. Personally, I think its sad that people choose to breed animals when there are so many homeless pets who will be put to sleep without good homes.

Electronic Pets make a suitable alternative for children that may not be responsible enough for a real pet or disabled people who are not able to look after a real animal. A wide range of electronic pets will soon be available to view at http://www.electronicpets.org.

first off many people love pets but cant have them cause of one ALLERGIE and CANCER if you have cancer you cant have pets and even if your a cancer survivor you still cant have pets.

This is not entirely true. I know many cancer survivors, including my father, who have pets. They say animals are great for boosting morale in those who are ill.

Petting a pet lowers blood pressure ... they make you walk and encourage you to take care of yourself ... I think that having a pet is a great way to stay optimistic fighting any disease, not only cancer ... they help you to meet great people, other pet lovers like you ... j.