13/12/2007 10:31:15 am
Building New Citizens? Japan has one of the most rapidly aging populations in the world. People live very long - a great success - but very few are born. This raises questions about society of tomorrow, rather precisely also about pensions and elderly care. The Economist reports about the development of robots, which has come very far in Japan. Ever more skilled robots could do work that are dirty, dangerous and demanding instead of people. And they could assist in elderly care.

Indeed, this is a very promising development. But it also raises some interesting questions. The Economist suggests that this might be seen as an alternative to immigration. But are we really that sceptical to immigrants? Do we prefer robots? As long as robitization is a consequence of technology and wealth, it is great, but if it is partly a consequence of xenophobia, I am very sceptic.