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
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TROPHIES
54 was an old model, one of the early Mk8's, standing a majestic four feet high, moderately
battered, mostly wear and tear. His duties were simple, general highways maintenance, basically litter
picking, a humble but necessary task. He was a primitive bipedal, very limited vocabulary, a little
shaky on his feet but his angular rate sensors kept him right side up.
The bipedal model was adopted pretty much across the range of maintenance 'bots, after all, with
a couple of hundred thousand years of human evolution behind it, the design of two legs for
complex locomotion and two arms for efficiently using tools was an obvious choice. The very fact
that the vast majority of robots were of hominid configuration was probably detrimental to the way
the public in general, understood them. Once viewed as an impersonal labour saving device, now in
the light of recent events they were perceived with mistrust and suspicion.
54 didn't understand, he was created for simple functions and that was his sole purpose, the very
fact that his operational welfare was in jeopardy did not compute.
It was late, around two in the morning and 54 was about his business, cleaning the roadside
gutters, dragging his wheeled refuse container behind him. His aural receptors picked up the faint
approach of a vehicle, the sound of its engine whining with effort. 54 calculated its arrival in just
eleven seconds, he'd better vacate the road to the safety of the walkway.
The driver put his foot hard on the accelerator.
“Right you metal bastard,” he spat with venom.
“Go on Joe, do him,” the two passengers in the cab shouted, smelling blood.
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