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STUDY: When Robots Beg For Their Lives

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Robots designed to interact socially with humans are slowly becoming more and more common. They’re appearing as receptionists, tour guides, security guards, and porters. But how good are we at treating these robots as robots? A growing body of evidence suggests not good at all. Studies have repeatedly shown we’re extremely susceptible to social cues coming from machines, and a recent experiment by German researchers demonstrates that people will even refuse to turn a robot off — if it begs for its life. In the study, published in the open access journal PLOS One, 89 volunteers were recruited to complete … Read more

FOR READERS: Please Write This For Me

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FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer MK Mancos: What would you like to see your favorite QSF authors write about, and why? Answer generally, or specifically if you have something you’ve been dying to see from a particular author. Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat

ANNOUNCEMENT: Beg, by Christine Raven Wright

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QSFer Christine Raven Wright has a new MM paranormal book out: In the eternal struggle between demons and angels, Talon and Kayne are total opposites. Talon, a guardian angel, is swayed by his compassionate heart and strays from the ordained Master Plan one too many times. Kayne, a fallen angel turned into a demon lieutenant, is ruthless at his job. He is tasked with punishing Talon. In the depths of Hell Talon endures torture and damnation at Kayne’s hands. Such an existence shouldn’t lend itself to a bond forming between the two immortal enemies, but the unwanted attentions of the … Read more