Can robots really have emotion?

A readers wonders whether robots can be infused with human emotions. Other topics: sugary drinks, Chinese school, property, Tony Blair

A reader wonders whether it is possible to infuse human emotions in a robot. Satish Kumar / The National

Human emotions downloaded from iTunes (Humanoid robot that can show emotions being developed in UAE, November 23)? Some humans don't have human emotions and I highly doubt a robot can display empathy, understanding or compassion.

Name withheld by request

These robots will be a revolutionary creation as they are likely to treat children with autism. It is almost unimaginable that machines can replicate human emotions.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Tax on sugary drinks necessary

Tax sugar abusers (British teens drink a 'bathtub' of sugary drinks a year, November 23). It's time to cut back on diabetes and other sugar-related illnesses. These products are contributing to weight problems around the world.

Carla Botha, Dubai

Tax these products now. The same should be done on junk food. Businesses dealing in such products should be charged triple the amount for a trade licence. Let’s set an example to the world. This is a much-needed initiative.

Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi

Education is not a privilege

I see two things wrong with this "investor opportunity" (Lack of Chinese schools in UAE 'an opportunity for investors', November 23).

First, why have Chinese-speaking schools when English is the main language in UAE after Arabic? Building a Chinese school means you gather all Chinese students, give them a comfortable environment where they can all speak their language, but they still won’t learn English.

Chinese generally don’t speak English anyway, so why limit their chances of learning English by putting them in a Chinese-dedicated school?

The Greeks in Australia did the same and now you have Greeks living in Australia for over 50 years who don’t speak a word of English.

Second, this “opportunity’s” first priority is not schooling, education or to improve Chinese students’ future. This “opportunity” is purely profit- driven.

Plus, it promotes the “private” school industry, which is already at a ludicrous level with the fees they charge and will simply make it more expensive.

Education should be a right for all children, not a privilege.

John Paravalos, Dubai

We can’t predict property prices

I refer to the story Dubai property prices to rise in 2017, but how quickly? (November 22).

I never trust the words “forecast” and “property prices”. No one has a crystal ball so no one can predict what will happen, be that property or life.

My advice: if you can afford it now and if mortgage rates rise and you won’t be left with negative equity then yes, but if you can’t afford it don’t buy it. Rental rates are falling, which indicates a glut of available properties so not a “buy-to-let” time in my opinion.

Sam Clarke, Dubai

It’s hard to believe that Dubai property prices will rise even as the whole world is facing financial strains and businesses are shutting down everywhere. Even economists will find it hard to explain this theory.

Fakhrul-Islam Haq, Dubai

Why Tony Blair is unpopular

Tony Blair is rightly hated (Tony Blair could play a starring role in Brexit, November 23). He arranged for rights and freedoms to be signed away in the Lisbon Treaty by his successor.

Twice he was voted in on promises of EU referendums, and both times broke his promises, because he had his eye on personal power and money in the EU.

Mark Horton, UK