Skynet

[Keith102001]

We are screwed.

io9.com/5016092/sarah-connor-has-failed-++-the-british-just-built-skynet

With the launch of a new communications satellite, the British military has completed a highly advanced network that will allow robotic military units to be controlled at long range. Sound vaguely familiar? They actually named the thing Skynet. When the T-1000s come knocking, keep an eye out for the "Made in UK" sticker. Skynet 5 is the latest iteration of a global communications system deployed by the British Armed Forces. The final satellite in the system was launched this week, and will allow high-bandwidth telecommunications between British forces located anywhere in the world. In addition to voice communications, it will allow data transfer and the remote control of robot airplanes, one of which is called "The Reaper." One of the manufacturers was quoted by BBC News as saying:

So, computers can talk directly to computers.

Are you terrified yet? It gets better. The system is actually privately owned and developed - the British Armed Forces are only promised a portion of the bandwidth as part of the contract. The one reassuring aspect is that the company is not called Cyberdyne.
Seriously, what the hell? Is it British humor to name something like this Skynet, or bureaucratic idiocy? Might as well get to work on the self-awareness chip and the "really angry at humans" algorithm. Image by: BBC News.

[-=SkYnEt=-]

Someone rang?

[craig0r]

holy crap. i knew this was gonna happen.

[joshmanoso]

Holy crap. I get why eventually this kind of stuff was going to happen, after all, people higher up in the military are always going to be loking for the latest edge on the opposition, but seriously, calling it skynet? Why not make a big ass boat and call it Titanic 2? I'm waiting for robocop to come true next.

[poingjam]

At least Robocop was really a cyborg, and he was on our side.

Look, Terminator isn't the worst thing that could happen; a well-stocked bomb shelter with a good lock can get you through the first half, and after that you just run around with a leather jacket and shades on pretending to be a terminator robot and you're fine.

But God help us if somebody invents a talking toaster and names it "Cylon."