I just saw this post on Slashdot about two freshmen at MIT who fully automated their dorm room. The system includes voice activation, a touch screen control center, web based control, a security system, and a big red "Instant Party" button. Read all about MIDAS here.

Maybe I could automate our bedroom at home. I could put a mechanical arm in there to lift me up and put my bedrest pillow behind me so that I can recline on the bed and watch the TV, which also gets turned on by the system and set to the appropriate channel or input (you know, if I want to play video games, or something. But then I'd also need a mechanism to bring me the controller and put the right game into the console.)

I could also have it discipline the kids, maybe. I could program it to say helpful and soothing things:

• "This hurts me more than it hurts you."
• "Do you want a time out?"
• "Quit spalshing in the potty!!!"

I think a cold, robotic voice might be just the thing to remove the emotional sting from those statements. There would be less sad crying and more "Why? You're just a disembodied robotic voice. I don't have to do what you say!" Seriously, it can't be too long before Colby learns the proper use of the word 'disembodied.' And Peyton will follow shortly after. Maybe it's not such a great idea after all.