Would you want a robotic pet cat or dog? - Straight Dope Message ...

My premise is that some time in the future, we have perfected the science of robotics, and we can now make a robotic cat or dog that is virtually indistinguishable from a flesh cat or dog, except it is programmable and it never dies.

Some parameters:
- The pet animal is programmable - you can program all unwanted behaviours out of your pet (such as scratching furniture or barking), or leave these behaviours in at whatever level you find acceptable.
- There would be an on/off switch or stand-by mode - you can just turn your pet off when you go on vacation if you don't want to take it with you.
- The power pack would be a lifetime supply.

Would that interest you - to have a cat or dog that wouldn't do the things you don't like, but would still seem to be a pet cat or dog?

(I've focused on cats and dogs as the most common pets, but if you'd prefer a pet robotic bunny or parrot or whatever, please feel free to join in the discussion.)

__________________
"To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection."
- H. Poincar?

Source: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=659675

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