...rise of the machines around the corner...

[radar]

"LONDON (Reuters) - Machines with the ability to attack targets without any human intervention must be banned before they are developed for use on the battlefield, campaigners against "killer robots" urged on Tuesday.

The weapons, which could be ready for use within the next 20 years, would breach a moral and ethical boundary that should never be crossed, said Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, of the "Campaign To Stop Killer Robots"."

http://news.yahoo.com/campaigners-call-ban-killer-robots-171648365....

[DragaoDHJ]

Excuse me. What about the "Three Laws of Robotics"?

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

Oops! Oh wait, that's Science Fiction. :-)

[officerripley]

Speaking of laws:

Technology is wonderful when it really does solve problems--in my own recent experience, catching cancer early--but I always get nervous whenever technology or anything else for that matter starts being loved to the point of worship.  Becuz whenever I think of worship, I think of inquisitions, crusades, "religious" wars, etc.  Phooey!