To think we could ban pets and use these instead

[Freinddilemma]

No, its not the exact same thing as owning a pet. But...
I absolutely love animals amd totally understand the value of having them but am increasingly feeling like theres something wrong about actually "owning" an animal. I also hate how anyone can just go out and buy a life like that.
What if the AI on these things got super advanced and we just made living pet ownership illegal?

Fine if it's an option for people who want it, can't manage the demands of a live pet, etc, but personally, I don't feel there is anything remotely wrong with responsible pet ownership, and I have no desire to stop having living pets for as long as I am physically and mentally able to care for them properly. I definitely don't believe pets should be banned. I'm actually contemplating another dog one day in the not too distant future. They add so much to my life, and there is every evidence that they are happy, too. The alternative would be that they wouldn't exist at all, because domesticated dogs are not some wild animal meant to roam free.

I’ll stick with my actual alive pet! He’s pampered and cosseted and leads a charmed life!

I can see pets being replaced by things like these. Personally I don't think I'd have any use for them. I also have no use for animals as pets, you have to invest money and time to look after them and you get nothing in return.

You get unadulterated joy in return!!

Or you could not buy a pet and rescue one that’s already alive and needs a loving home.

Or you could stop eating meat and save a few animals from a life of torture?

These would be good substitutes for the idiots who can’t be bothered to spay / neuter their cats, or people who just get pets because their children want them.

Or both.

Having watched Ann Droid, I think what some people who get pets want is a Linda.

Well I will keep my living, breathing dog thank you - and he agrees with me 😃.
I don't eat meat if that is any help.

I still feel guilty about how mistreated that poor, poor Tamagotchi was 🤔 And the Furby 😔 Poor things, it was brutal and tragic 😭

I agree op, fewer pets overall means a reduction in strays, unwanted and mistreated pets. Which is a win for reducing animal suffering I also want a higher barrier to entry to get a pet.

If picking up shit gives you unadulterated joy, fair enough, but there are other things you could try.

If joy in picking up shit was all it came down to, pet owners would be queuing up for jobs cleaning toilets.

Do you think picking up shit is the sum total of having a pet? I'm sad for you.