I Don't Want A Talking Refrigerator

[LeftishBrit]

42. Let me point out another side, though

I have had visual processing problems from birth, not severe, not even noticeable in many situations, but just severe enough to prevent me from being able to drive (or, more accurately, from being safe to drive in a world where not all other drivers will be following the rules!) This has placed significant restrictions on my life: for example, I haven't been able to consider living or working in places where being able to drive is vital. If there had been self-driving cars, I would have had much more choice in my life. And self-driving cars might give a lot more independence for a lot longer to elderly people, for example.

By contrast, a talking fridge would be just an irritation for me, and I certainly wouldn't be spending my money on it. But that too might be useful to blind people, or to people with age-related cognitive impairments or early dementia.

I think it might make sense to restrict some of these inventions to those with known disabilities, and to elderly people, so as to avoid the risk of people 'losing it by not using it'. Just as one doesn't give everyone crutches. But for some people these devices could make a huge difference to their choices and chances in life, or even in some cases make the difference between a person living independently or having to go into a care home