Destruction, Catharsis, and Emotional Release in Human-Robot Interaction

The intersection between social, technical, and economic factors biases new product development to focus on utilitarian value. However, objects that serve alternative goals, behaviors and emotions have accompanied humankind for millennia. This article speculates about robotic objects for one non-utilitarian behavior and its implications: destruction. Robots and objects for destruction have a shared history of embodiment and heavily rely on their embodiment for interaction. Yet the topic of destruction is not very common in the field of human-robot interaction (HRI). Thus, we (1) present a survey of ethnographic investigations that show modes of HRI related to destruction, and (2) develop speculative concepts of interaction that demonstrate these ideas in HRI. By exemplifying a broad range of speculative uses of destruction in HRI and grounding it in literature, we hope this theoretical and conceptual article will bring a fresh perspective on alternative interactions with robots.

Structuring medical practice acquisitions

A successful medical practice acquisition requires both the buyer and the seller to understand the complex legal and business issues that arise throughout the negotiation of the transaction. This article surveys the key issues involved in setting the purchase price, determining how that price will be paid, deciding whether to acquire assets or stock, establishing a physician employment agreement, and addressing the concerns of nonphysician staff.