this post was submitted on 23 May 2026
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Meh. Hard to feel excited about it. Humanoid robotics absolutely will not be beneficial for humanity in the current socioeconomic system. Best case is it spies on us and subverts democracy, worst case is it skullfucks people in impoverished nations to steal their land and resources.
Ultimately, no it won't be beneficial but late stage capitalism is going to fuck us one way or the other with or without robotics.
Its still coming and where its at now is undeniably impressive.
The most beneficial uses on a more micro level however which I agree with are jobs that are dangerous to humans. I mean we have used robots for space and deep sea exploration forever (super neat drive).
Warehouse jobs are also dangerous due to risks of acute and chronic injuries. Humanoid robots are 100% going to make it there. In an ideal world our future would be Star Trek but to your point it will be more like Alien universe.
Are humanoid robots really the best choice? Seems like robot forklifts (exist), robot pallet jacks (exist), and some kind of box grabber arm would be more efficient. I've always thought that humanoid robots were being worked on just for thr challenge and the fun/spectacle factor (and I guess investor hype in the case of Musk).
Humanoid robots are great at operating in existing environments that were built for humans. Like, your house or an office or our streets.
Purpose built robots are almost always better at specific tasks, but if you want to drop in a robot in an existing environment or have it interact with existing products and equipment, humanoid is the way to go.
Amazon for example has TONS of purpose built robots that are not humanoid, but their entire warehouse system was designed from the ground up for them.
Very true. I think more specific robots are better for specific tasks. Like you said I think its for the challenge now. We didnt need a dancing robot or one that can make free throws lol
I'm more worried about the global backslide into authoritarianism than capitalism.
Fair.
I'm more worried about the crater than the asteroid
That implies that only capitalism leads to a global backslide into authoritarianism which is historically very inaccurate. The rise of capitalism took power away from the crowns and the nobility like no other system ever has.
Sees an asteroid hurtling toward earth
Asteroid getting closer
Society becomes divided into two camps, an asteroid cult and people trying to stop the asteroid
Asteroid hits earth, leaving a giant crater
Just don't look up at the asteroid and you won't have to have to acknowledge it
"Look at the asteroid" is what a tankie would say /s