Tag Archives: technology

Thinking biblically about privacy

Lately I’ve been hearing a lot of grumbing about Facebook and it’s shifting stance on privacy. What I haven’t heard a lot of, however, are thoughts on how to think biblically about privacy. I gather many believe privacy is a good thing; that it’s erosion is a bad thing. But of what basis do we found such beliefs?Continue reading “Thinking biblically about privacy”

Drone Pilots Could Be Tried for War Crimes

For some months now I have been flagging the need for ethical debate in the Christian community over killer drones. Well, it seems concern is catching on. Legal experts have flagged that military drone may be violating the rules of war. “But under the legal theories adopted by our government in prosecuting Guantánamo detainees, theseContinue reading “Drone Pilots Could Be Tried for War Crimes”

Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong

Got an alert for an interesting new book entitled Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong. “Computers are already approving financial transactions, controlling electrical supplies, and driving trains. Soon, service robots will be taking care of the elderly in their homes, and military robots will have their own targeting and firing protocols. Colin Allen andContinue reading “Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong”

5 ways to have fun with holographic multi-site pastors

I’ve been thinking of ways to have fun with holographic multi-site pastors. Here’s the first five that come to mind for me: Approach the dais in a white frock and exclaim, “Help me, Pastor Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” Suggest the men’s ministry leaders combine mixed martial arts ministry with Star Wars chess, “But, letContinue reading “5 ways to have fun with holographic multi-site pastors”

Activist Robotics

Well, it looks like the military aren’t the only ones getting into robotics. Now activists are getting into the high tech action. Pamphleteer: A Propaganda Robot for Cultural Resistance “This paper presents research findings based on performance evaluation of Pamphleteer, a propaganda robot which automates the often dangerous practice of distributing subversive literature to theContinue reading “Activist Robotics”

Legal crisis looming with next generation robots

For those of you interested in future watching, one journal article that seems to have stirred up the robotics community over the last six months is, “Toward the Human-Robot Co-Existence Society: On Safety Intelligence for Next Generation Robots” Here’s the abstract: Technocrats from many developed countries, especially Japan and South Korea, are preparing for the human-robotContinue reading “Legal crisis looming with next generation robots”

American Drone Attacks Are Counterproductive

In a recent interview, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani talked about the fight against terrorism in his country, the future of Afghanistan and why US drone attacks do more harm than good. Something for Christian peace activists to take note of. HT to Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand (AAANZ).

Military Robots and War Ethics

With the increasing number and autonomy of robots in military conflicts these days, I think its time for Christians to start asking the ethical war questions: What, for instance, are the implications for Just War doctrine? Can a robot make a moral decision? Can it judge proportionality? If not, how can increasing autonomy be ethically justified? And then thereContinue reading “Military Robots and War Ethics”