Isaac Asimovs I, Robot: to Protect Free
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The Cyborg Prophecy: Reading Between Isaac Asimov's Lines
The Cyborg Prophecy: Reading between Isaac Asimov’s Lines Rudrani Gangopadhyay Jadavpur University, Kolkata Abstract: Donna Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto” describes the Cyborg as a conjunction of technology and discourse. It argues that a prosthesis becomes a cyborg element when it is integrated with the identity of an individual, and a cyborg is created by the almost symbiotic union of robotic and organic elements. Isaac Asimov, in his short story “The Bicentennial Man” for example, narrates the story of such a remarkable union of robotic and human parts and asserts, at the end, that the resultant system is, essentially, human. A cyborg, therefore, is ‘meta-human’, being somewhat enhanced (by the use of technology) in certain ways in comparison to a human being. There isa mass cyborgization of the global population taking place today. The kind of blurring of boundaries between exogenous and endogenous parts within the system of a human being that one had, so far, only come across in science fiction, is fast coming to life. The obvious example of prosthetics aside, gadgets like cellphone headsets, touchscreen phones and similar electronic devices have been rendered extensions of the human system, merging seamlessly with the organic identities and consequently, making cyborgs out of everyone. The relevance of literature featuring cyborgs, which have, in a way, acted as prophecies for human civilization, therefore cannot be emphasized enough. This paper explores the cyborg identity in select works of Isaac Asimov and reflect on the fast occurring cyborgization of the (meta-)human race in reality. Keywords: Science Fiction, Isaac Asimov, Cyborg, Cybernetics, Body Studies Donna Haraway, in the famous “Cyborg Manifesto,” describes a cyborg as a conjunction of technology and discourse (Haraway 149). -
Nebula Awards Showcase 2012
an imprint of Prometheus Books Amherst, NY Published 2012 by Pyr®, an imprint of Prometheus Books Nebula Awards Showcase 2012. Copyright © 2012 by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA, Inc.). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or conveyed via the Internet or a website without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles and reviews. Cover illustration © Michael Whelan Cover design by Grace M. Conti-Zilsberger Inquiries should be addressed to Pyr 59 John Glenn Drive Amherst, New York 14228–2119 VOICE: 716–691–0133 FAX: 716–691–0137 WWW.PYRSF.COM 16 15 14 13 12 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Nebula Awards showcase 2012 / edited by James Patrick Kelly and John Kessel. p. cm. ISBN 978–1–61614–619–1 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN 978–1–61614–620–7 (ebook) 1. Science fiction, American. I. Kelly, James P. (James Patrick) II. Kessel, John. PS648.S3A16 2012 813'.0876208—dc23 2012000382 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper PERMISSIONS “Ponies,” copyright 2010 by Kij Johnson, first published on Tor.com, January 2010. “The Sultan of the Clouds,” copyright 2010 by Geoffrey Landis, first published in Asimov’s Sci- ence Fiction, September 2010. “Map of Seventeen,” copyright 2010 by Christopher Barzak, first published in The Beastly Bride: Tales of the Animal People, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terry Windling, Viking. -
Mediakit with Links.Indd
Strange. Beautiful. Shocking. Surreal. “One of the trailblazing publishers of short-form science fiction, fantasy, and horror.” — Jason Heller, The A.V. Club Mission Statement Apex Magazine (http://www.apex-magazine.com) has been called all of these things since its inception. For more than ten years, Apex has been dazzling readers with its originality, fearlessness, and commitment to the very best. A three-time Hugo nominee, Apex Magazine is regarded as a trailblazer in the field of science fiction. A self-proclaimed mash-up of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, Apex delivers on the adage that a short story can take you to the end of the galaxy and back before dinner. The Magazine Apex has given a megaphone to some of the most unique and com- pelling voices of the past decade. Now one of the most recognizable names in the industry, Apex has become one of the standards that all others try to meet. From its hard-edged science fiction to magical realism, Apex has something to satisfy every fantastic taste. A two- time winner of the Nebula Award for Best Short Story (2014, 2015) and four-time nominee, the magazine continues to provide readers with some of the most thought-provoking and diverse fiction in the genre. Apex Magazine provides a monthly podcast for listeners to hear their favorite stories at a moment’s notice. The magazine also pub- lishes poetry, and it has had numerous pieces nominated for the Rhysling Award. Never one to play it safe, Apex’s stories blur the line between sci- ence fact and science fiction. -
Afrofuturism: the World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture
AFROFUTURISMAFROFUTURISM THE WORLD OF BLACK SCI-FI AND FANTASY CULTURE YTASHA L. WOMACK Chicago Afrofuturism_half title and title.indd 3 5/22/13 3:53 PM AFROFUTURISMAFROFUTURISM THE WORLD OF BLACK SCI-FI AND FANTASY CULTURE YTASHA L. WOMACK Chicago Afrofuturism_half title and title.indd 3 5/22/13 3:53 PM AFROFUTURISM Afrofuturism_half title and title.indd 1 5/22/13 3:53 PM Copyright © 2013 by Ytasha L. Womack All rights reserved First edition Published by Lawrence Hill Books, an imprint of Chicago Review Press, Incorporated 814 North Franklin Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 ISBN 978-1-61374-796-4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Womack, Ytasha. Afrofuturism : the world of black sci-fi and fantasy culture / Ytasha L. Womack. — First edition. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-61374-796-4 (trade paper) 1. Science fiction—Social aspects. 2. African Americans—Race identity. 3. Science fiction films—Influence. 4. Futurologists. 5. African diaspora— Social conditions. I. Title. PN3433.5.W66 2013 809.3’8762093529—dc23 2013025755 Cover art and design: “Ioe Ostara” by John Jennings Cover layout: Jonathan Hahn Interior design: PerfecType, Nashville, TN Interior art: John Jennings and James Marshall (p. 187) Printed in the United States of America 5 4 3 2 1 I dedicate this book to Dr. Johnnie Colemon, the first Afrofuturist to inspire my journey. I dedicate this book to the legions of thinkers and futurists who envision a loving world. CONTENTS Acknowledgments .................................................................. ix Introduction ............................................................................ 1 1 Evolution of a Space Cadet ................................................ 3 2 A Human Fairy Tale Named Black .................................. -
Ansible® 405 April 2021 from David Langford , 94 London Road, Reading, Berks, RG1 5AU, UK
Ansible® 405 April 2021 From David Langford , 94 London Road, Reading, Berks, RG1 5AU, UK. Website news.ansible.uk. ISSN 0265-9816 (print); 1740- 942X (e). Logo: Dan Steffan . Cartoon (‘Dragon’s Eye’): Ulrika O’Brien . Available for SAE, ticholama, hesso-penthol or resilian. MOVING ON. October 2021 will see the tenth anniversary of the online £50 reg; under-17s £12; under-13s free. See novacon.org.uk. Encyclopedia of Science Fiction , hosted by Orion and linked to the SOLD OUT . 21-24 Apr 2022 ! Camp SFW, Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gollancz SF Gateway ebook operation. Orion/Gollancz have now decided Great Yarmouth. See www.scifiweekender.com. All places presumably not to renew the contract on 1 October. The principal Encyclopedia taken by membership transfers from the cancelled March 2021 event. editors John Clute and David Langford plan to move sf-encyclopedia.com POSTPONED AGAIN . 27-29 May 2022 ! Satellite 7, Crowne Plaza, to their own web server and continue as seamlessly as possible with Glasgow. £70 reg (£80 at the door); under-25s £60; under-18s £20; much the same ‘look and feel’, perhaps with a new sponsor and certainly under-12s £5; under-5s £2. See seven.satellitex.org.uk. Former dates 21- with a few improvements that the current platform doesn’t allow. 23 May 2021. All existing memberships transferred to 2022; no refunds. Rumblings. DisCon III (Worldcon 2021, Washington DC), with one The Army of Unalterable Law of its two hotels not only closed but filing for bankruptcy, is unable to tell Peter S. Beagle and his current business partners regained rights ‘to members whether it will be a physical as well as a virtual convention. -
Captain Marvel
Roy Thomas’On-The-Marc Comics Fanzine AND $8.95 In the USA No.119 August 2013 A 100th Birthday Tribute to MARC SWAYZE PLUS: SHELDON MOLDOFF OTTO BINDER C.C. BECK JUNE SWAYZE and all the usual SHAZAM! SUSPECTS! 7 0 5 3 6 [Art ©2013 DC7 Comics Inc.] 7 BONUS FEATURE! 2 8 THE MANY COMIC ART 5 6 WORLDS OF 2 TM & © DC Comics. 8 MEL KEEFER 1 Vol. 3, No. 119 / August 2013 Editor Roy Thomas Associate Editors Bill Schelly Jim Amash Design & Layout Christopher Day Consulting Editor John Morrow FCA Editor P.C. Hamerlinck Comic Crypt Editor Michael T. Gilbert Editorial Honor Roll Jerry G. Bails (founder) Ronn Foss, Biljo White Mike Friedrich Proofreaders Rob Smentek William J. Dowlding Cover Artists Marc Swayze Cover Colorist Contents Tom Ziuko Writer/Editorial: Marc Of A Gentleman . 2 With Special Thanks to: The Multi-Talented Mel Keefer . 3 Heidi Amash Aron Laikin Alberto Becattini queries the artist about 40 years in comics, illustration, animation, & film. Terrance Armstard Mark Lewis Mr.Monster’sComicCrypt!TheMenWhoWouldBeKurtzman! 29 Richard J. Arndt Alan Light Mark Arnold Richard Lupoff Michael T. Gilbert showcases the influence of the legendary Harvey K. on other great talents. Paul Bach Giancarlo Malagutti Comic Fandom Archive: Spotlight On Bill Schelly . 35 Bob Bailey Brian K. Morris Alberto Becattini Kevin Patrick Gary Brown throws a 2011 San Diego Comic-Con spotlight on A/E’s associate editor. Judy Swayze Barry Pearl re: [correspondence, comments, & corrections] . 43 Blackman Grey Ray Gary Brown Warren Reece Tributes to Fran Matera, Paul Laikin, & Monty Wedd . -
Chapter 6: Mary Shelley’S Frankenstein
Cover Page The handle https://hdl.handle.net/1887/3134626 holds various files of this Leiden University dissertation. Author: Siglé, J.A. Title: From monsters to mediators: The evolution of the theme of altruism in early robotic science fiction texts Issue Date: 2021-01-28 Chapter 6: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein This chapter revisits Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) which has received much attention both within and outside science fiction discourses.18 However, some of the specifically robotic nuances of her text may have been overlooked, given that her text is polemical and comprehensive in its treatments of both science and gothic fiction. This chapter examines Frankenstein’s treatment of a Turing test moment as well as the theme of altruism. The creature, being the first of its kind, like any robot, constitutes a binary opposition to humanity, and eventually orbits problems relating to intergroup competition. Frankenstein is not about an automaton in the strict sense, but the novel deals explicitly with the creation of an artificial humanoid, while it also in relation to this artificial creation engages with themes of group selection and altruism. According to Kang, the novel “is commonly considered the first work of science fiction” (218) because of Percy Shelley’s preface which distinguishes Frankenstein from conventional Gothic narratives that incorporate supernatural elements.19 Sian MacArthur, while also identifying Frankenstein in Gothic Science Fiction (2015) as the “[…] earliest example of a science fiction narrative” (1), emphasizes its role as a subgenre to the Gothic tradition: “Shelley is moving away from the realms of traditional Gothic and into something new, and that is the beginnings of Gothic science fiction, a sub-genre of the Gothic” (2). -
Evitable Conflicts, Inevitable Technologies?
LCH0010.1177/1743872113509443Law, Culture and the HumanitiesKerr and Szilagyi 509443research-article2014 LAW, CULTURE AND THE HUMANITIES MINI SYMPOSIUM: SCIENCE, SCIENCE FICTION AND INTERNATIONAL LAW Law, Culture and the Humanities 2018, Vol. 14(1) 45 –82 Evitable Conflicts, Inevitable © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: Technologies? The Science sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav https://doi.org/10.1177/1743872113509443DOI: 10.1177/1743872113509443 and Fiction of Robotic journals.sagepub.com/home/lch Warfare and IHL Ian Kerr University of Ottawa, Canada Katie Szilagyi McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Canada Abstract This article contributes to a special symposium on science fiction and international law, examining the blurry lines between science and fiction in the policy discussions concerning the military use of lethal autonomous robots. In response to projects that attempt to build military robots that comport with international humanitarian law [IHL], we investigate whether and how the introduction of lethal autonomous robots might skew international humanitarian norms. Although IHL purports to be a technologically-neutral approach to calculating a proportionate, discriminate, and militarily necessary response, we contend that it permits a deterministic mode of thinking, expanding the scope of that which is perceived of as “necessary” once the technology is adopted. Consequently, we argue, even if lethal autonomous robots comport with IHL, they will operate as a force multiplier of military necessity, thus skewing the proportionality -
Robot Visions - Isaac Asimov
Robot Visions - Isaac Asimov ISAAC ASIMOV ROBOT VISIONS ILLUSTRATIONS BY RALPH McQUARRIE file:///E|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Princess%20D...20Visions/Robot%20Visions%20-%20Isaac%20Asimov.htm (1 of 222)11/19/2005 3:59:53 AM Robot Visions - Isaac Asimov To Gardner Dozois and Stan Schmidt, colleagues and friends CONTENTS Introduction: The Robot Chronicles STORIES Robot Visions Too Bad! Robbie Reason Liar! Runaround Evidence Little Lost Robot The Evitable Conflict Feminine Intuition The Bicentennial Man Someday Think! Segregationist Mirror Image Lenny Galley Slave Christmas Without Rodney ESSAYS Robots I Have Known The New Teachers Whatever You Wish The Friends We Make Our Intelligent Tools The Laws Of Robotics Future Fantastic The Machine And The Robot The New Profession The Robot As Enemy? file:///E|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Princess%20D...20Visions/Robot%20Visions%20-%20Isaac%20Asimov.htm (2 of 222)11/19/2005 3:59:53 AM Robot Visions - Isaac Asimov Intelligences Together My Robots The Laws Of Humanics Cybernetic Organism The Sense Of Humor Robots In Combination Introduction: The Robot Chronicles What is a robot? We might define it most briefly and comprehensively as “an artificial object that resembles a human being.” When we think of resemblance, we think of it, first, in terms of appearance. A robot looks like a human being. It could, for instance, be covered with a soft material that resembles human skin. It could have hair, and eyes, and a voice, and all the features and appurtenances of a human being, so that it would, as far as outward appearance is concerned, be indistinguishable from a human being. -
Brains, Minds, and Computers in Literary and Science Fiction Neuronarratives
BRAINS, MINDS, AND COMPUTERS IN LITERARY AND SCIENCE FICTION NEURONARRATIVES A dissertation submitted to Kent State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. by Jason W. Ellis August 2012 Dissertation written by Jason W. Ellis B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006 M.A., University of Liverpool, 2007 Ph.D., Kent State University, 2012 Approved by Donald M. Hassler Chair, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Tammy Clewell Member, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Kevin Floyd Member, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Eric M. Mintz Member, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Arvind Bansal Member, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Accepted by Robert W. Trogdon Chair, Department of English John R.D. Stalvey Dean, College of Arts and Sciences ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ iv Chapter 1: On Imagination, Science Fiction, and the Brain ........................................... 1 Chapter 2: A Cognitive Approach to Science Fiction .................................................. 13 Chapter 3: Isaac Asimov’s Robots as Cybernetic Models of the Human Brain ........... 48 Chapter 4: Philip K. Dick’s Reality Generator: the Human Brain ............................. 117 Chapter 5: William Gibson’s Cyberspace Exists within the Human Brain ................ 214 Chapter 6: Beyond Science Fiction: Metaphors as Future Prep ................................. 278 Works Cited ............................................................................................................... -
Liable Machines 7 CHAPTER 7
Liable Machines 7 CHAPTER 7 After lighting a cigarette, Alfred Lanning, declared, “It reads minds all right.”1 Lanning was a recurrent character in Isaac Asimov’s science fiction. In this particular story, the director of a plant of U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men was talking about Her- bie, a robot with “a positronic brain of supposedly ordinary vintage.” Herbie had the ability to “tune in on thought waves,” leaving Lanning and his colleagues baffled by his ability to read minds. Herbie was “the most important advance in robotics in decades.” But neither Lanning nor his team knew how it happened. Lanning’s team included Peter Bogert, a mathematician and second-in-command to Lanning; Milton Ashe, a young officer at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men; and Dr. Susan Calvin, a robopsychologist (who happened to be in love with Ashe). Lanning asked Dr. Calvin to study Herbie first. She sat down with the robot, who had recently finished reading a pile of science books. “It’s your fiction that interests me,” said Herbie. “Your studies of the interplay of human motives and emotions.” As Dr. Calvin listened, she begun to think about Milton Ashe. “He loves you,”—the robot whispered. 150 | LIABLE MACHINES “For a full minute, Dr. Calvin did not speak. She merely stared.” “You are mistaken! You must be. Why should he?” “But he does. A thing like that cannot be hidden, not from me.” Then he supported his statement with irresistible rationality: “He looks deeper than the skin and admires intellect in others. Milton Ashe is not the type to marry a head of hair and a pair of eyes.” She was convinced. -
Asimov, Frankenstein-Komplexet Och Robotikens Lagar
Asimov, Frankenstein-komplexet och robotikens lagar En retorisk analys av Isaac Asimovs robotnoveller i I, Robot Hanna Bergström Ämne: Litteraturvetenskap Nivå: C Poäng: 15 hp Ventilerad: VT 2017 Handledare: Svante Lovén Examinator: Ann-Sofie Lönngren Litteraturvetenskapliga institutionen Innehåll Inledning 2 Syfte och frågeställning 3 Material 3 Bakgrund 3 Tidigare forskning 7 Teori och metod 9 Analys 12 Berättarstruktur 13 Karaktärerna och deras funktioner 19 Människor 19 Robotar 24 Deus ex machina? Utopi eller dystopi? 28 Diskussion 31 Sammanfattning och slutsats 31 Källor och litteratur 33 1 Inledning Isaac Asimov är en av science fiction-världens giganter. Hans omfattande verk har bidragit till utvecklingen av genren och är idag klassiker. Asimovs robotlagar, Three Laws of Robotics, är hans mest inflytelserika bidrag till science fiction-genren och synen på robotar inom populärkulturen, samt även till filosofin och forskningen om robotar och artificiell intelligens (AI). Lagarna introducerades i början av 40-talet i ett antal kortare robotberättelser, som sedan samlades i novellsamlingen I, Robot (1950).1 Lagarna lyder: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.2 Sedan dessa noveller skrevs har utvecklingen inom områden som AI och robotik (ett fält som Asimov för övrigt namngav) gått framåt, vilket gör Asimovs tre lagar och de filosofiska frågor som lyfts i hans robotnoveller aktuella.