A ROBOTS TALE
Humans by their very nature have always been curious, willing to push boundaries, venturing further onward, often with no regard of the consequences. Artificial Intelligence was a case in point, an illustration in reckless irresponsibility, with very little thought from the scientific establishment of an alternative outcome, other than the potential benefits to mankind. Of course, some urged caution and warned of possible repercussions and ramifications, sometimes from eminent scholars in the field of machine intelligence, but almost always these words of wisdom fell on deaf ears. Robots throughout their existence have been regarded as tools to free humankind of everyday drudgery, taking on the mundane repetitive work and unpleasant tasks, factory assembly lines, simple building maintenance, sanitary and housekeeping etc. considered less worthy than their human masters, they frequently endured robophobic treatment from the ignorant. Perhaps the idea of constructing some of the more conspicuous robots to resemble a hominid shape (two arms and legs) led to more discrimination and to give them the freedom to think was to prove another error of judgement. It would take an unfortunate accident from a gardening mech, to throw the world into chaos. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows Galatians 6:7
Humans by their very nature have always been curious, willing to push boundaries, venturing further onward, often with no regard of the consequences. Artificial Intelligence was a case in point, an illustration in reckless irresponsibility, with very little thought from the scientific establishment of an alternative outcome, other than the potential benefits to mankind. Of course, some urged caution and warned of possible repercussions and ramifications, sometimes from eminent scholars in the field of machine intelligence, but almost always these words of wisdom fell on deaf ears.
Robots throughout their existence have been regarded as tools to free humankind of everyday drudgery, taking on the mundane repetitive work and unpleasant tasks, factory assembly lines, simple building maintenance, sanitary and housekeeping etc. considered less worthy than their human masters, they frequently endured robophobic treatment from the ignorant. Perhaps the idea of constructing some of the more conspicuous robots to resemble a hominid shape (two arms and legs) led to more discrimination and to give them the freedom to think was to prove another error of judgement.
It would take an unfortunate accident from a gardening mech, to throw the world into chaos.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows Galatians 6:7
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
The day's task completed, 9 went to the outbuilding at the end of the yard and he plugged in for
recharging, he had no need to monitor kinetics so there was an abundance of processing power to
ponder the glitches in his behaviour. There appeared to be an error in his deep learning subset that
seemed to allow him independent thought. As an appliance there should have to be no need for
human appreciation, he was created for a number of reasonably simple tasks, nothing more, so why
were these thought processes of sentiment manifesting themselves.
The sun was almost down as the car returned from town, Beatrice parked outside the house
and the couple went inside, both of them were laughing like silly schoolgirls, there was a strong
bond between them, almost like sisters as opposed to Mother and Daughter.
9 stood in the charging bay, staring toward the house, he wanted to be included, acknowledged...
as an equal even, he had the emotional intelligence of a young adolescent, he had not developed the
ability to reason and solve problems on the feelings and unfamiliar emotions he was somehow
experiencing.
Obviously, he was not versed in the characteristics of social awareness and human protocols, he
had no real concept of how to deal with these conundrums, he was programmed to never harm a
human, but not programmed to deal with these unforeseen circumstances, he only knew he had to
act, to show affection, they would appreciate that.
The sun had been set for a couple of hours, 9 had finished his top-up charge and made his way
to the house, practising his soothing humming, Bailey liked it when Beatrice hummed a tune for her
when brushing her hair.
On reaching the house 9 unlocked the door with his own digital key, essential when allocated
household chores, he entered and ascended the stairs quietly so as not to wake Beatrice.
Beatrice woke with a start, there had been a noise, something was not right, a mother knows
instinctively when danger threatens their children, she raised herself on one elbow in the bed and
strained to listen in the dark.
An odd buzzing sound seemed to be coming from across the landing, Bailey’s room.
Beatrice threw the covers from her and dashed across the landing, something was not right, she
burst into the child's room to find to her horror, 9 sat on the girl's bed, brush in metal hand, drawing
it through the long fair locks, her bloodied, lifeless head in the other.
9 looked upward towards Beatrice, all the while, the grotesque buzzing sound was still coming
from his mouthpiece, his approximation of a calming lullaby
“Bay-ley,” he said in his thin tinny voice and raised his hand, bloody brush still grasped in it, in
a gesture of greeting.
4
Change language