In Reno they have these folks, I like that better.
7 Likes
Some perverse comfort knowing that nanny-bots such as these would survive about three minutes in any 'merkun [salutes] city before their parts were posted on eBay
9 Likes
Is the “gathering in groups of more than 5” a pandemic thing, or did it exist prior?
(i.e. is it a “no protests allowed” rule?)
2 Likes
I suppose pushing the SnitchBot 5000 on its side and laughing as its wheels spin helplessly would be considered a “socially undesirable behaviour”.
7 Likes
Previously on BoingBoing
Singapore is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Other “social straitjacket societies” are watching with interest, as - to be sure - is your government.
@jeddak your definition of a “healthy society” and that of many Singaporeans probably differ somewhat.
6 Likes
The Anthony Bourdain episode on Singapore had a one-liner which really put it simply.
“It doesn’t feel like it should work, does it? But it does somehow.”
6 Likes
Or they just give up and drown themselves in a fountain
4 Likes
It’ll be OK until they start looking like Daleks.
6 Likes
How long until vigilantes take it upon themselves to dispose of robots and other “undesirable surveillance?”
2 Likes
(multiply by 3/4 to get US$)
I found Singapore to be strangely like NYC (where I grew up), in terms of size, population, cosmopolitan-ness, and wealth. I didn’t test out the legal system.
2 Likes
In Singapore? Probably never. Their attitude towards rules and regulations is very different to that.
A friend who lived there said that in a typical western country, when the government announces a new rule it’s a negotiation with the general public, and there’s a sizeable group that will always respond with “you can’t tell me what to do!” In Singapore, the government announces that society has a problem, and after much thought they’ve decided to fix the problem with the following rule. And the general public thinks about it and agrees.
Talking to Singaporeans outside Singapore, I didn’t detect any sense of frustration with the regimented society. Even after several drinks, no hidden bitterness or resentment welled up. They seem to feel that they’re part of a society whose structures agree with them.
3 Likes
3 Likes
So what is the LGBTQ+ community like, compared to NYC?
4 Likes
No. It’ll be ok until Daleks realise that looking like Singaporean robots is a better strategy.
7 Likes
But if they’re so good about following rules and regulations, why the need to deploy robots to catch people who aren’t following rules and regulations?
2 Likes
… or even have cops at all?
I wasn’t trying to suggest that the people I talked to were 100% of Singapore. Or that Singapore was a vast sea of obedient identical clones. Only that the ones I talked to showed surprisingly little chaffing. It was (and is) surprising and interesting to me.
As for why they’re deploying robots - I’m interested to know the cost / benefit the Sg police used. My guess is that this is like automation everywhere: a labour cost-cutting more, but I wonder what other benefits are in there.
1 Like
Do you want Robocop?! BECAUSE THAT’S HOW YOU GET ROBOCOP!
Seriously, that movie was a cautionary tale!
1 Like
This topic was automatically closed after 5 days. New replies are no longer allowed.
