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Feb. 22, 2006
Pet Perfection
A major gaming company recently produced not another game but a virtual pet. This pet exists only on a computer screen, but it looks real. You can interact with it in the same way that you would control a character in a game. If you take care of your pet, it'll appear to be happy.
This could be the perfect pet. You don't need to go to the store to buy food or clean up after it. It doesn't get sick and need a vet. You can turn it off if you're tired of playing with it (although some virtual pets are programmed to be pretty demanding).
Perfect . . . or is it? It can't jump in your lap or purr. It can't go outside and play with you. You can't touch it. And it can't love you.
A virtual pet isn't science fiction because it's here, now. But it's a good example of new technology that makes us wonder and ask the science fiction question "what if . . . ?" What if people living in big cities were only allowed to have virtual pets? Could this change how we treat real animals? What if this technology could be used to create a virtual teacher or child? Could that change how we interact with each other?
Challenge: How Real is Real Enough?
A virtual pet can seem very real. Why? Think about the best movie special effects that you've ever seen. Don't forget the sounds you hear as well as the picture. These techniques can convince your brain that you've seen something, even when it doesn't really exist. As for interacting with a virtual pet? If you've played video games or watched someone else play, you know that the latest games have characters that move in such a realistic way that it's hard to tell what's real and what's not. Still, these are all taking place on a computer screen.
What would make a virtual pet more like the real thing? What would make you want one instead of a real puppy? Write down your ideas. You might want to look at toy and electronic catalogs for more information.
Going Further:
Write a science fiction story based on this question: What if an artificial puppy were made that was more appealing to people than the real thing?
If you wish, send your ideas about a future pet to us at scifizone@snkids.com (or fill in the form below). If we use your idea, you may be eligible to win a prize! Please include your first name, age, city or town, and state. If you are under 13 years old, get your parent's permission to write to us.
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