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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A DANGEROUS NAVIGATION
Rusk had thought through the plan and through it again, over the past weeks, he had been
hoarding dry food supplies, enough for at least a fortnight if he was frugal. His plan would require
him to make his way to the Yar River, to the west of the island, sailing close to the shoreline in short
hops, sheltered from the prevailing winds by the island, he calculated, optimistically, that he could
make four to five miles per day, so maybe a four-day voyage, foraging for food in the late afternoon
and resting overnight.
He and his clan had lived off the land for generations and it was the optimal time of year for such
an activity, wild fennel, chervil, sea beet, shellfish and crabs, all for the taking, Rusk had no worries
about feeding himself on this island's shores, it was the uncertainty of what he might find over the
grey waters that played on his mind. It was precisely why he must resist the temptation to break into
his dry rations en route.
No matter how many times he tried to think of an alternative, his thoughts always returned to the
two rescue trimarans, he felt like he was betraying his own, just by considering the borrowing of
one, but equally, the yearning to discover the secrets of the mainland burned in his chest. He'd have
to make a decision soon, he would have to leave in the middle of the neap tide cycle so when he
made the main crossing, the high spring tides would take their place, if he missed this window, the
tides would roll on and everything would be on hold for another fortnight, he'd be stranded in
unfamiliar territory with little or no shelter.
But impatience was a foible of youth and it threatened to force his hand.
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