Killer Robots!

Munitions manufactures under pressure from society have found a way of making weapons which will kill the enemy but keep our army absolutely safe.

Last month a campaign was launched that despite the potential comedy drew little mainstream media attention. The Stop the Killer Robot campaign was launched at the House of Commons and of course immediately draws your mind to Skynet or the ED209 from RoboCop.

However, Killer Robots actually exist and the campaign is to get a treaty signed before they go into production. Dr Noel Sharkey, who some of us may remember from Robot Wars back in the good ole’ days, is a founding member and was quoted at the launch saying:  “Robot warfare and autonomous weapons, the next step from unmanned drones, are already being worked on by scientists and will be available within the decade.”

Imagine a fire hydrant. A CCTV camera identifies you and the on board AI checks you as friend or foe. In the world of GPS, Satellite communication and WiFi an entire network of these killer robots could be patrolling and holding a front line of a battlefield or even a land border. The logical progression is to then fit this technology to those unmanned drones or just give them caterpillar tracks.

It is easy to say that this is scaremongering but South Korea demonstrated what it called a Autonomous Sentry in 2007.  They then demonstrated a soldier approaching the unit and being ordered to surrender to what at first glance looks a like a camera from Big Brother house.

The UN has commissioned a report into what it calls ‘lethal autonomous robotics’ which draft versions appeared online at the end of April. The UN is already calling for international meetings on this subject.

The campaign’s website states “Giving machines the power to decide who lives and dies on the battlefield is an unacceptable application of technology.”

A Long over due update and some complacency

I think it is only fair I bring you up to speed.

I finished counseling and have a girlfriend.



Yes, 13 months later and I am much better than I was and I've nearly been in a full time job for 12months - my life has drastically improved.

I do have a lesson for you though about this.

I've had a weight lifted but some of it shouldn't of.

I felt I no longer has to over-police myself: I'm sane and been through counseling which surely makes me a damn site better than most?!

Whilst that statement may be true what I have learned is that some of the standards by which I measured myself (but never others) were spot on. What I mean is that I was complacent. Now I am making a point with regards to when I am out of order/line. There have been times when people have treated me or judged me in a certain way but then would not allow the same back to them - this is something I will not stand for, equality or its bullying.

What I am relating this to is the fact that sometimes I still upset those I care about and I still make stupid decisions or do stupid things. (Doesn't everyone though? I'm still awaiting an apologies about stuff I.E my hairline)

The precise matter in question:

I laughed at a picture I was shown that, when reminded of the next day was completely inappropriate and to be frank, nasty. It wasn't a corpse, it was just a daft joke.

I am sorry and right now there are flash backs of 'I'm a horrible person who should die and keep the world happy'. Now, I do realise that isn't true:- if only the government of Syria judged itself as harshly as I do...

Back to the point, I cannot justify laughing at that joke. I can try to help you understand. I am male, I was with other males and when we are together we normally are very immature and daft. I'm sure you do it too, you behave differently depending on friends and the situation. If someone was hit by a car I certainly wouldn't be as daft or immature as I was when I laughed at that picture.

I was complacent.
Because I thought "oh I've been through counseling. Oh I can stand up better for myself. Oh I no longer want to die and feel I'm a much more understanding and thoughtful person" it meant I allowed myself to get into a daft silly mood and laugh when it really wasn't appropriate too.

Just because other people laugh at things doesn't mean that I should.

I hope this makes some sense but what I will say is;
"Everyone should be judged equally, no rules applied to one and not to other. But you are responsible for applying rules or standards to yourself: all I ask is that they are reasonable ones that you would apply to others."


Does any of that make sense?
*sigh*


Anyway, I make a real effort and I'm very sorry that sometimes, I always fall short.

Here is my review, which rhymes with Poo

Couch Fiction
Story By Philippa Perry
Art by Junko Graat

I fell out with books due to lazyness on my part so felt that a book on my new interest, psychotherapy, was the way back.

This isn't a essay or a lecture. It felt like a more approachable look at what can a closed and frightening career and choice. The characters act as just a medium so that we can place ourselves there.

James is, to the observing world, a fully formed and well respected person who has intellectual and financial wealth. He is a warming person who seems rather grounded despite a very nice pay check and a 'well-to-do' background. And here it comes... The 'but' you'll all sensing...

But...
Kleptomania. The irrational and unwarranted act of stealing.

Pat is a therapist who we perceive this tale through. And like James, isn't snobby or arrogant, but likeable and... Human.

Pat reminds the reader, loudly and then subtly, that therapy is a form of friendship where a unique openness and ease is brewed: it isn't just emotions on James' side. Pat is human, sometimes rushing ahead and not managing to bracket her brackets but she gently guides us (James, the reader and herself) through therapy, the wanderings, anxiety and breakthroughs. The moment where, even I smile as something simply obvious is seen for the very first time.

It gives a realistic view, that counselling with cause pain before the biggest solutions and rewards are released and.
The end is a heartwarming tale where the cycle of therapy continues and the friendship is halted - a therapist is not a friend.

The book ends, like this review, with a quote from Prof Susie Orbach 'I loved it. I smiled and laughed. And nodded. One to read for sure'