I’ve never resolved a problem with anyone by kicking them. [related]
That’s not to say I haven’t wanted to kick someone on occasion, but it’s just not in my nature. I’ve actually only ever been in one physical fight in my entire life—and calling it a fight is being extremely liberal in the use of the word from my perspective. There was a single punch thrown (not by me).
So, while I don’t necessarily think I’d ever be mad enough at another person to kick them, I can certainly understand that not everyone thinks or approaches life the same way I do. That’s why I’m not surprised to hear people are regularly kicking robots as they become more pervasive in our everyday lives.
Why I Don’t Kick Robots
Anyone who’s been to Stop & Shop recently has probably come in contact with the robots who patrol the aisles at many of that supermarket chain’s stores. I’ve never been tempted to kick one of the robots, but I certainly don’t feel comfortable when it follows me, much like I’d be creeped out if a person did.
After all, robots are people too, right?
The exception to my non-robot-kicking stance is probably the Roomba or similar robot vacuum cleaners. While I don’t own one and don’t plan to get one, I can see how that little varmint could scare me enough to make me want to punt it across the room, although I’m guessing the homeowner wouldn’t approve.
In the same way I generally don’t want pets or most people to get too close to me, the same holds true for robots.
What’s your stance on kicking robots? Have you ever done it? Now that I think about it, part of me is afraid to kick a robot in this age of connected devices and the Internet of Things. All I can picture in my mind is a robotic version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” with robots playing the role of the zombies.
If there’s one thing I’m worse at than fighting, it’s dancing.
