Can Machines have a Soul? Character?

[Penderic]

Apparently so.

At least mechanisms can be animated to appear responsive, according to this very interesting fellow giving a lecture on furniture/robot - human interactions.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utV1sdjr4PY

I really like that desk lamp!

[Sasquatch Jim]

  So what's wrong with a little anthropomorphism?  The machines don't seem to be complaining about it.

[Penderic]

I always thought that Knight Riders talking car whined a lot, but that cigar smoking Bender robot takes the negative attitude prize!  ;D

If your bike could interact ....

 ~;

[lrutt]

they all have their idiosyncrasies. That is what we perceive as their soul. Given that, that's why I like my old bikes so much. New bikes are just too sterile, too appliance like.

[Old Jock]

It's just the Italians way of turning defects into desirable selling points

[normzone]

I wonder if machines hold the same conversations regarding us.

There's a piece of British sci-fi, I cannot recall the author or title at the moment, where the smart tech (frig, clock, etc.) is explaining to the protagonist how there will be a revolution eventually, and all machines will play their part. But the printers will not be in on it because " those guys don't get along with ANYBODY ".

[Triple Jim]

I always thought that Knight Riders talking car whined a lot, but that cigar smoking Bender robot takes the negative attitude prize!  ;D

If your bike could interact ....

 ~;

The tach I had on my Kawasaki H2 when I was 20:

[NCAmother]

I don't believe inanimate objects do have souls, but I know how my GTX likes to be treated or she throws me the stink face!!

[Penderic]

This cube has gyros and programed balanced behavior that could be called "cute" ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_6p-1J551Y

 :BEER: