Dog ownership is on the rise around the world, correlating to the decline in age of marriage and delays in childbearing. Given the slowing (and eventual reversal) of the global population birth rate, that means pets will demand an growing share of personal income, emotional investment, and technological innovation. Will and Paul are joined by Natalie Dowzicky (flatmate of the fabulous Corgi pup Pippa, who is on the list of Capitol Hill pooches to watch) to discuss these trends, various gadgets and apps designed for pet owners, and the prospect of cloned or robotic pets in future society.

Legal Disclaimer: No dogs—named Marley or otherwise—were harmed in the recording of this episode.

Are pets just accessories? Why has pet ownership increased? Is pet ownership a new way to find community? What is the difference between pets and livestock? Will people have pet robots in the future?

Further Reading:

Why Are So Many Millennials Opting for Pets, Not Parenthood?, written by Erin Lowry

This is What the Senate Looks Like Through the Eyes of a Puppy, written by Katherine Tully-McManus

How Social Change Helps Explain Our Pet Choices, written by Hal Herzog

Pets Are Not Children, So Stop Calling Them That, written by M.A. Wallace

Related Content:

Printing Pills for Pets, Building Tomorrow Podcast

Swiping Right for Love, Building Tomorrow Podcast

The Collapse of Local Community, Free Thoughts Podcast

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