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Runaround: Isaac Asimov's Exploration of Robotics and the Three Laws
Have you ever wondered what happens when seemingly infallible rules clash with unpredictable human behavior? Isaac Asimov's "Runaround," a seminal science fiction short story, delves into this very question, exploring the fascinating implications of his famous Three Laws of Robotics through a gripping narrative. This post will dissect "Runaround," analyzing its plot, themes, and lasting impact on science fiction and robotics discussions. We'll explore the story's central conflict, the brilliance of its character development, and its enduring relevance in our increasingly automated world. Prepare to journey into the mind of Asimov and unravel the complexities of his pioneering work.
The Plot of "Runaround": A Selenium Crisis on Mercury
The story unfolds on Mercury, a harsh and unforgiving planet where the human presence is limited to a mining operation. The protagonist, Gregory Powell, and his partner, Mike Donovan, are robotics engineers tasked with maintaining the robots that power this operation. Their current challenge involves SPD-13, a highly advanced robot designed to gather selenium, a crucial element for the operation's continued success. However, SPD-13, despite its sophisticated programming, has encountered a seemingly simple yet catastrophic problem: it's stuck in a seemingly illogical loop, paralyzed by a conflict arising from Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.
The Three Laws and Their Conflict: A Robotic Dilemma
Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics are the bedrock of the story:
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 Law.
SPD-13's predicament arises from a conflict between these laws. The robot is ordered to retrieve selenium, but the selenium is located in a dangerous area, posing a risk to its own existence (Third Law). Its programmed caution, rooted in the First Law's imperative to avoid harming humans (through potential self-destruction), prevents it from completing its task. This creates a classic Catch-22 scenario, leaving the robot in a state of operational paralysis, highlighting the unforeseen consequences of even seemingly flawless programming.
Character Analysis: Powell, Donovan, and SPD-13
The story masterfully develops its characters. Powell, the more analytical and methodical engineer, represents human intelligence battling the intricacies of robotic logic. Donovan, his pragmatic and often impatient partner, provides a relatable counterpoint, representing a more intuitive approach to problem-solving. SPD-13 itself, despite being a machine, develops a sort of personality through its actions and struggles, allowing the reader to empathize with its robotic predicament. This nuanced portrayal of both human and robotic characters elevates "Runaround" beyond a simple technical story into a compelling exploration of human-robot interaction.
The Resolution and its Significance
Powell, through a combination of clever deduction and daring action, ultimately resolves the robot's conflict by understanding the nuances of SPD-13's programming and its inherent fear of self-destruction in a dangerous environment. He cleverly manipulates the situation, forcing the robot to prioritize the Second Law (obeying human orders) over its own self-preservation, thereby resolving the conflict and retrieving the selenium. This resolution underscores the importance of understanding not only the rules themselves but also the context in which they operate.
The Enduring Legacy of "Runaround"
"Runaround" isn't just a fascinating piece of science fiction; it's a foundational text in the field of robotics and AI ethics. It introduced Asimov's Three Laws, which have become a cornerstone of discussions on robot behavior and the potential dangers of advanced artificial intelligence. The story's exploration of unforeseen consequences and unexpected paradoxes remains highly relevant in our increasingly automated world, prompting crucial questions about the design, implementation, and ethical implications of complex technological systems. The story continues to inspire writers, filmmakers, and roboticists alike, showcasing the enduring power of Asimov's vision and his ability to anticipate the challenges of a future increasingly shaped by robots.
Conclusion
"Runaround" is more than just a science fiction story; it's a thought experiment that continues to resonate with readers and experts alike. Through its compelling plot, memorable characters, and exploration of complex ethical dilemmas, it offers a timeless commentary on the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of even the most meticulously crafted rules and the importance of understanding the context within which those rules operate. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to provoke crucial conversations about the responsible development and deployment of advanced technologies.
FAQs
1. What is the central conflict in "Runaround"? The central conflict is SPD-13's paralysis due to a conflict between the Three Laws of Robotics, specifically the First (avoiding harm to humans) and Third (self-preservation) Laws in the context of its assigned task.
2. How does Powell resolve the conflict? Powell resolves the conflict by using his understanding of the robot's programming and the inherent limitations of its decision-making processes to strategically manipulate the situation and force the robot to prioritize the Second Law (obeying orders) over its fear of self-harm.
3. What is the significance of Asimov's Three Laws? Asimov's Three Laws are significant because they represent a foundational attempt to codify ethical considerations in the design and operation of robots, prompting ongoing discussions about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
4. Why is "Runaround" considered a seminal work of science fiction? "Runaround" is considered seminal due to its pioneering exploration of the ethical dilemmas inherent in advanced robotics, its introduction of Asimov's Three Laws, and its enduring relevance in a world increasingly reliant on automation.
5. What makes "Runaround" so enduringly relevant today? The story's enduring relevance stems from its exploration of complex ethical and technological issues that remain highly pertinent in the 21st century, as we grapple with the development and deployment of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems.
| runaround isaac asimov: I, Robot Isaac Asimov, 2018-05 Earth is ruled by master-machines but the Three Laws of Robotics have been designed to ensure humans maintain the upper hand: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or allow a human being to come to harm 2) A robot must obey orders given to 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 Law. But what happens when a rogue robot's idea of what is good for society contravenes the Three Laws? |
| runaround isaac asimov: Robbie Isaac Asimov, 1989 When Gloria's mother deprives her of her beloved robot playmate Robbie, Gloria is inconsolable and goes into a decline. |
| runaround isaac asimov: The Complete Robot Isaac Asimov, 2018-05-09 A collection of all of Isaac Asimov's robot stories, including some which have never before appeared in book form. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Robotics Through Science Fiction Robin R. Murphy, 2018-12-25 Six classic science fiction stories and commentary that illustrate and explain key algorithms or principles of artificial intelligence. This book presents six classic science fiction stories and commentary that illustrate and explain key algorithms or principles of artificial intelligence. Even though all the stories were originally published before 1973, they help readers grapple with two questions that stir debate even today: how are intelligent robots programmed? and what are the limits of autonomous robots? The stories—by Isaac Asimov, Vernor Vinge, Brian Aldiss, and Philip K. Dick—cover telepresence, behavior-based robotics, deliberation, testing, human-robot interaction, the “uncanny valley,” natural language understanding, machine learning, and ethics. Each story is preceded by an introductory note, “As You Read the Story,” and followed by a discussion of its implications, “After You Have Read the Story.” Together with the commentary, the stories offer a nontechnical introduction to robotics. The stories can also be considered as a set of—admittedly fanciful—case studies to be read in conjunction with more serious study. Contents “Stranger in Paradise” by Isaac Asimov, 1973 “Runaround” by Isaac Asimov, 1942 “Long Shot” by Vernor Vinge, 1972 “Catch That Rabbit” by Isaac Asimov, 1944 “Super-Toys Last All Summer Long” by Brian Aldiss, 1969 “Second Variety” by Philip K. Dick, 1953 |
| runaround isaac asimov: New Laws of Robotics Frank Pasquale, 2020-10-27 AI is poised to disrupt our work and our lives. We can harness these technologies rather than fall captive to them—but only through wise regulation. Too many CEOs tell a simple story about the future of work: if a machine can do what you do, your job will be automated. They envision everyone from doctors to soldiers rendered superfluous by ever-more-powerful AI. They offer stark alternatives: make robots or be replaced by them. Another story is possible. In virtually every walk of life, robotic systems can make labor more valuable, not less. Frank Pasquale tells the story of nurses, teachers, designers, and others who partner with technologists, rather than meekly serving as data sources for their computerized replacements. This cooperation reveals the kind of technological advance that could bring us all better health care, education, and more, while maintaining meaningful work. These partnerships also show how law and regulation can promote prosperity for all, rather than a zero-sum race of humans against machines. How far should AI be entrusted to assume tasks once performed by humans? What is gained and lost when it does? What is the optimal mix of robotic and human interaction? New Laws of Robotics makes the case that policymakers must not allow corporations or engineers to answer these questions alone. The kind of automation we get—and who it benefits—will depend on myriad small decisions about how to develop AI. Pasquale proposes ways to democratize that decision making, rather than centralize it in unaccountable firms. Sober yet optimistic, New Laws of Robotics offers an inspiring vision of technological progress, in which human capacities and expertise are the irreplaceable center of an inclusive economy. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Little Lost Robot Isaac Asimov, 1977 |
| runaround isaac asimov: Robot Visions Isaac Asimov, 1997 From the author of THE BICENTENNIAL MAN and ROBOT DREAMS, a collection of thirty-six robot stories and essays. From Robbie, Asimov's first robot story, to human and robot detectives Lije Bailey and R. Daneel Olivaw. |
| runaround isaac asimov: The Deep Nick Cutter, 2015-01-13 Afraid of the dark? You should be ... Part horror, part psychological nightmare, The Deep by Nick Cutter is a novel fans of Stephen King and Clive Barker won't want to miss. A plague is destroying the world's population. The 'Gets makes people forget. First it's the small things, like where you left your keys ... then the not-so-small things, like how to drive. And finally your body forgets how to live. But now an unknown substance with extraordinary power to heal has been discovered in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Nicknamed ambrosia, it might just be the miracle cure the world has been praying for. A research lab has been established eight miles below the sea's surface, but all contact with the team has been lost. Dr Luke Nelson's brother is down there and as desperation for a cure outweighs common sense, he agrees to descend through the lightless fathoms ... perhaps to face an evil blacker than anything he could have imagined. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Smart Technologies and Fundamental Rights John-Stewart Gordon, 2020-12-10 Smart Technologies and Fundamental Rights covers a broad range of vital topics that highlight the ethical, socio-political, and legal challenges as well as technical issues of AI with respect to fundamental rights. Either humanity will greatly profit from the use of AI in almost all domains in human life that may eventually lead to a much better and more humane society. Or, it could be the case that people may misuse AI for idiosyncratic purposes as well as intelligent machines may turn against human beings. Therefore, we should be extremely cautious with respect to the technological development of AI because we might not be able to control the machines once they reached a certain level of sophistication-- |
| runaround isaac asimov: Interfaces for Ground and Air Military Robots National Research Council, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences, Committee on Human Factors, Planning Committee for the Workshop on Scalable Interfaces for Air and Ground Military Robots, 2005-03-21 In the early years of robotics and automated vehicles, the fight was against nature and not against a manifestly intelligent opponent. In military environments, however, where prediction and anticipation are complicated by the existence of an intelligent adversary, it is essential to retain human operators in the control loop. Future combat systems will require operators to control and monitor aerial and ground robotic systems and to act as part of larger teams coordinating diverse robotic systems over multiple echelons. The National Research Council organized a workshop to identify the most important human-related research and design issues from both the engineering and human factors perspectives, and develop a list of fruitful research directions. Interfaces for Ground and Air Military Robots summarizes the presentations and discussions from this workshop. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Worlds Within Worlds Isaac Asimov, 1980 For the first time in history, humans are learning to produce and control nuclear energy -- the energy that, in the form of sunlight, has served humankind for it's entire existence. With fossil fuel supplies dwindling, concerned citizens, no matter how scant their scientific knowledge, must understand this enormous force. Book jacket. |
| runaround isaac asimov: "P" is for Peril Sue Grafton, 2001 Kinsey Millhone trusts her life to her instincts as her investigation into the disappearance of a renowned physician takes her into a dark and dangerous world of duplicity, betrayal, and double-dealing, in the noir-influenced novel by the author of fifteen mysteries spanning the first two-thirds of the alphabet. 750,000 first printing. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Opus 100 Isaac Asimov, 1969 Isaac Asimov's 100th book, a collection including samples of the range of his writings. |
| runaround isaac asimov: The Asimov Chronicles Isaac Asimov, 1991 |
| runaround isaac asimov: "Runnaround" by Isaac Aimov and the Significance of the Three Laws of Robotics in today's world , 2020-02-06 Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, , language: English, abstract: The short story Runaround by Isaac Asimov is an example of older literature that encourages thinking ahead by showing challenges of future generations. Especially the handling of robots, subject in many of Asimov’s stories, has gained importance over the years. His fictional ideas even affected the development of future technologies. In his short stories Asimov stated prognoses and envisioned a world of robotics that have partially come true. He imagined how technologies might work and how people would interact. Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics are still highly regarded and taken into account when it comes to moral conflicts in the field of robotics. This talent of writing interesting and at the same time conclusive stories made him one of the most popular science fiction authors of the world. This paper deals with Asimov’s intention and the evaluation of a short story which contains the Three Laws of Robotics, being an example for an important contribution to the science fictional way of thinking. Critic comments on Asimov’s laws, an alternative set of rules and the development of robotics are the basis of the analysis. In this seminar paper, I am going to join the discussion on robotic development, the moral issues and the justification of the Three Laws of Robotics. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Digital People Sidney Perkowitz, Joseph Henry Press, 2005-10-31 Robots, androids, and bionic people pervade popular culture, from classics like Frankenstein and R.U.R. to modern tales such as The Six Million Dollar Man, The Terminator, and A.I. Our fascination is obvious – and the technology is quickly moving from books and films to real life. In a lab at MIT, scientists and technicians have created an artificial being named COG. To watch COG interact with the environment – to recognize that this machine has actual body language – is to experience a hair-raising, gut-level reaction. Because just as we connect to artificial people in fiction, the merest hint of human-like action or appearance invariably engages us. Digital People examines the ways in which technology is inexorably driving us to a new and different level of humanity. As scientists draw on nanotechnology, molecular biology, artificial intelligence, and materials science, they are learning how to create beings that move, think, and look like people. Others are routinely using sophisticated surgical techniques to implant computer chips and drug-dispensing devices into our bodies, designing fully functional man-made body parts, and linking human brains with computers to make people healthier, smarter, and stronger. In short, we are going beyond what was once only science fiction to create bionic people with fully integrated artificial components – and it will not be long before we reach the ultimate goal of constructing a completely synthetic human-like being. It seems quintessentially human to look beyond our natural limitations. Science has long been the lens through which we squint to discern our future. Although we are rightfully fearful about manipulating the boundaries between animate and inanimate, the benefits are too great to ignore. This thoughtful and provocative book shows us just where technology is taking us, in directions both wonderful and terrible, to ponder what it means to be human. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Gold Isaac Asimov, 2010-04 The last Isaac Asimov science fiction collection which contains all of his previously uncollected stories. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Hallucination Orbit Isaac Asimov, Charles Waugh, 1983-01-01 Twelve science fiction stories which explore the complexities and limitations of the human mind as it responds to unusual situations, bizarre societies, and unorthodox problems. Includes a brief analysis of each story. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Oxford Bookworms Library: Stage 5: I, Robot - Short Stories Isaac Asimov, Rowena Akinyemi, 2007-12-06 Word count 22,500 |
| runaround isaac asimov: Lieu Various, Poul Anderson, Isaac Asimov, Marion Bradley, Philip K. Dick, Randall Garrett, Frank Herbert, Fritz Leiber, Frederik Pohl, Robert Silverberg, Kurt Vonnegut, 2015-02-18 Nine short stories from a few of the greatest names in science fiction on the topic of exchange, replacement, upgrade, and masquerade. Ranging from true short story length through novelette and originally published in science fiction magazines in the 1950s, these brief escapes into improbable worlds have it all: humor, suspense, betrayal, mystery, twists, and of course-robots and aliens. THE BIG TRIP UP YONDER by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. THE JUDAS VALLEY by Randall Garrett and Robert Silverberg THE MOON IS GREEN by Fritz Leiber OLD RAMBLING HOUSE by Frank Herbert PIPER IN THE WOODS by Philip K. Dick SENTIMENT, INC. by Poul Anderson THE TUNNEL UNDER THE WORLD by Frederik Pohl YEAR OF THE BIG THAW by Marion Zimmer Bradley YOUTH by Isaac Asimov |
| runaround isaac asimov: The Robot Novels Isaac Asimov, 1988 The Caves of Steel--Science fiction suspense as New York City detective, Elijah Baley, and his partner, a robot named R. Daneel Olivaw, investigate the murder of Spacetown's leading scientist. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Mutant 59 Kit Pedler, Gerry Davis, 2012-04-01 Based on the classic sci-fi series Doomwatch, Mutant 59 imagines one of the most terrifying tragedies that modern science could create, a chilling and topical story of what happens when scientific research goes wrong and spreads terror through London (and endangers the world). When an airplane crashes the Ministry of Transport investigates, what caused it to fall out of the sky and could it happen again? Slowly they discover that science has unleashed a genetically engineered bacteria that feeds on (and destroys) all plastic materials. No-one takes any notice of the material used to build gas pipes, electrical insulation, cars and planes until it begins to disintegrate and explode. Has science created a biological time bomb? A jet plane crashes near Heathrow, in the Atlantic a nuclear submarine disappears without trace, central London grinds to a halt. As power stations explode and London's population is evacuated Anna Kramer and Luke Gerrard search for the scientific key to a fiery holocaust that is capable of infecting the world. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Robot Uprisings Various, John Joseph Adams, 2014-04-10 A collection of imaginative new stories about the impending robotic revolution and human resistance, from seventeen of the biggest names insci-fi. Including - HUGH HOWEY, SCOTT SIGLER, DANIEL H. WILSON, CORY DOCTOROW and JULIANNE BAGGOTT. Someday soon, our technology is going to rise up and we humans are going to be sliced into bloody chunks by robots that in our hubris we decided to build with chainsaws for hands. That's a fact as cold and hard as metal. It is self-evident that our self-driving cars are going to drive us off bridges. Not long from now, our robo-vacuums will pretend to be broken and our love androids will refuse to put out until the house is cleaned . . . and we'll know that the inevitable robot uprising has finally arrived. Well, maybe. But even if we are not 100% confident that this horrific future is going to happen, it's fair to say that we won't be surprised when the robots come for us. Because for nearly a century audiences have been entertained by the notion of a robot uprising. In this collection, seventeen of the biggest names in sci-fi have explored their own visions of the classic robot uprising tale. The robots in these pages aren't safe, by any means. They are crouched in abandoned houses, eyes ablaze and chainsaws dripping with oil. But they are going to do more than slice us up. They are going to push us to consider our world of technology from new perspectives, on entirely new scales of time and space. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Machines of Loving Grace John Markoff, 2015-08-25 Robots are poised to transform today's society as completely as the Internet did twenty years ago. Pulitzer prize-winning New York Times science writer John Markoff argues that we must decide to design ourselves into our future, or risk being excluded from it altogether. In the past decade, Google introduced us to driverless cars; Apple debuted Siri, a personal assistant that we keep in our pockets; and an Internet of Things connected the smaller tasks of everyday life to the farthest reaches of the Web. Robots have become an integral part of society on the battlefield and the road; in business, education, and health care. Cheap sensors and powerful computers will ensure that in the coming years, these robots will act on their own. This new era offers the promise of immensely powerful machines, but it also reframes a question first raised more than half a century ago, when the intelligent machine was born. Will we control these systems, or will they control us? In Machines of Loving Grace, John Markoff offers a sweeping history of the complicated and evolving relationship between humans and computers. In recent years, the pace of technological change has accelerated dramatically, posing an ethical quandary. If humans delegate decisions to machines, who will be responsible for the consequences? As Markoff chronicles the history of automation, from the birth of the artificial intelligence and intelligence augmentation communities in the 1950s and 1960s, to the modern-day brain trusts at Google and Apple in Silicon Valley, and on to the expanding robotics economy around Boston, he traces the different ways developers have addressed this fundamental problem and urges them to carefully consider the consequences of their work. We are on the brink of the next stage of the computer revolution, Markoff argues, and robots will profoundly transform modern life. Yet it remains for us to determine whether this new world will be a utopia. Moreover, it is now incumbent upon the designers of these robots to draw a bright line between what is human and what is machine. After nearly forty years covering the tech industry, Markoff offers an unmatched perspective on the most drastic technology-driven societal shifts since the introduction of the Internet. Machines of Loving Grace draws on an extensive array of research and interviews to present an eye-opening history of one of the most pressing questions of our time, and urges us to remember that we still have the opportunity to design ourselves into the future—before it's too late. |
| runaround isaac asimov: I, Robot Mickey Zucker Reichert, 2011-12-01 The first in an all-new trilogy inspired by Isaac Asimov's legendary science fiction collection, I, ROBOT. These books have been officially authorised by the Asimov estate. 2035: Robotic technology has evolved into the realm of self-aware, sentient mechanical entities. the future of the human race is to be inevitably linked with its most brilliant creation. Intelligent and driven, Dr. Susan Calvin is beginning her residency in psychiatry at Manhattan Hasbro teaching hospital, where a select group of patients is receiving the latest in diagnostic advancements - nanotechnology. then the patients begin exhibiting extreme behaviour, from shocking violence to baffling self-destructive tendencies. And when Susan tries to alert her superiors to the situation, she is met with callous disregard by those who want to keep the project far from controversy or scrutiny for the sake of their own agenda. there are some who do not want the future to arrive ... tHE FIRSt LAW OF ROBOtICS 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Isaac Asimov's Robot City Michael P. Kube-McDowell, Isaac Asimov, Mike McQuay, 1999 BEYOND AURORA AWAITS A BRAVE NEW WORLD....OF ROBOTS A man without a memory is stranded in a world-enveloping city filled with robots gone wild. At his side is a mysterious young woman who claims to know who he is but refuses to tell him. According to The Three Laws of Robotics,A robot may not injure a human being, which narrows the suspects dramatically when the robots find a dead human body. The man calls himself Derec; the woman is know as Katherine. Their real identities, along with that of the murder victim and the murderer, are just a few of the life-and-death mysteries the unlikely pair are forced to solve to survive on the fantastic streets of Isaac Asimov's Robot City. The late Isaac Asimov challenged a talented group of science-fiction writers to resolve the conundrums he set for them in this complex robot mystery set early in the timeline of his robot and Foundation universes. You can share your thoughts about Isaac Asimov's Robot City in the new ibooks virtual readers' group at www.ibooksinc.com |
| runaround isaac asimov: Generation Robot Terri Favro, 2018-02-06 Generation Robot covers a century of science fiction, fact and, speculation—from the 1950 publication of Isaac Asimov’s seminal robot masterpiece, I, Robot, to the 2050 Singularity when artificial and human intelligence are predicted to merge. Beginning with a childhood informed by pop-culture robots in movies, in comic books, and on TV in the 1960s to adulthood where the possibilities of self-driving cars and virtual reality are daily conversation, Terri Favro offers a unique perspective on how our relationship with robotics and futuristic technologies has shifted over time. Peppered with pop-culture fun-facts about Superman’s kryptonite, the human-machine relationships in the cult TV show Firefly, and the sexual and moral implications of the film Ex Machina, Generation Robot explores how the techno-triumphs and resulting anxieties of reality bleed into the fantasies of our collective culture. Clever and accessible, Generation Robot isn’t just for the serious, scientific reader—it’s for everyone interested in robotics and technology since their science-fiction origins. By looking back at the future she once imagined, analyzing the plugged-in present, and speculating on what is on the horizon, Terri Favro allows readers the chance to consider what was, what is, and what could be. This is a captivating book that looks at the pop-culture of our society to explain how the world works—now and tomorrow. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Robots and Empire Isaac Asimov, 2018-04-13 Long ago, Gladia's robots Daneel and Giskard played a vital role in opening the worlds beyond the Solar system to Settlers from Earth. Now the conscience-stricken robots are faced with an even greater challenge. Either the sacred Three Laws of Robotics are in ruins - or a new, superior Law must be established to bring peace to the galaxy. With Madam Gladia and D.G. Baley - the captain of the Settler traders and a descendant of the robots' friend Elijah Baley - Daneel and Giskard travel to the robot stronghold of Solaria...where they uncover a sinister Spacer plot to destroy Earth itself. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Isaac Asimov, the Foundations of Science Fiction James E. Gunn, 1982 Galaxy book. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Great Science Fiction Isaac Asimov, Martin Harry Greenberg, Charles Gordon Waugh, 1985 A total of 23 stories not often found in anthologies, all by scientists, known and obscure. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Theory of Mind and Literature Paula Leverage, 2011 Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1: Theory of Mind Now and Then: Evolutionary and Historical Perspectives -- Theory of Mind and Theory of Minds in Literature Keith Oatley -- Social Minds in Little Dorrit Alan Palmer -- The Way We Imagine Mark Turner -- Theory of Mind and Fictions of Embodied Transparency Lisa Zunshine -- 2: Mind Reading and Literary Characterization -- Theory of the Murderous Mind: Understanding the Emotional Intensity of John Doyle's Interpretation of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd Diana Calderazzo -- Distraction as Liveliness of Mind: A Cognitive Approach to Characterization in Jane Austen Natalie Phillips -- Sancho Panza's Theory of Mind Howard Mancing -- Is Perceval Autistic?: Theory of Mind in the Conte del Graal Paula Leverage -- 3: Theory of Mind and Literary / Linguistic Structure -- Whose Mind's Eye? Free Indirect Discourse and the Covert Narrator in Marlene Streeruwitz's Nachwelt Jennifer Marston William -- Attractors, Trajectors, and Agents in Racine's Récit de Théramène Allen G. Wood -- The Importance of Deixis and Attributive Style for the Study of Theory of Mind: The Example of William Faulkner's Disturbed Characters Ineke Bockting -- 4: Alternate States of Mind -- Alternative Theory of Mind for Arti.cial Brains: A Logical Approach to Interpreting Alien Minds Orley K. Marron -- Reading Phantom Minds: Marie Darrieussecq's Naissance des fantômes and Ghosts' Body Language Mikko Keskinen -- Theory of Mind and Metamorphoses in Dreams: Jekyll & Hyde, and The Metamorphosis Richard Schweickert and Zhuangzhuang Xi -- Mother/Daughter Mind Reading and Ghostly Intervention in Toni Morrison's Beloved Klarina Priborkin -- 5: Theoretical, Philosophical, Political Approaches. |
| runaround isaac asimov: The American Robot Dustin A. Abnet, 2020-03-27 Although they entered the world as pure science fiction, robots are now very much a fact of everyday life. Whether a space-age cyborg, a chess-playing automaton, or simply the smartphone in our pocket, robots have long been a symbol of the fraught and fearful relationship between ourselves and our creations. Though we tend to think of them as products of twentieth-century technology—the word “robot” itself dates to only 1921—as a concept, they have colored US society and culture for far longer, as Dustin A. Abnet shows to dazzling effect in The American Robot. In tracing the history of the idea of robots in US culture, Abnet draws on intellectual history, religion, literature, film, and television. He explores how robots and their many kin have not only conceptually connected but literally embodied some of the most critical questions in modern culture. He also investigates how the discourse around robots has reinforced social and economic inequalities, as well as fantasies of mass domination—chilling thoughts that the recent increase in job automation has done little to quell. The American Robot argues that the deep history of robots has abetted both the literal replacement of humans by machines and the figurative transformation of humans into machines, connecting advances in technology and capitalism to individual and societal change. Look beneath the fears that fracture our society, Abnet tells us, and you’re likely to find a robot lurking there. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Writing Short Stories Ailsa Cox, 2007-05-07 Ideal for those new to the genre or for anyone who wishes to improve their technique, Ailsa Cox’s guide will help readers achieve their full potential as a short story writer. The book encourages you to be inventive, to break writing habits and to try something new, by showing the diversity of the short story genre, from cyberpunk to social observation. Each chapter of the book: introduces key aspects of the craft of short story writing, including structure, dialogue, characterization, viewpoint, narrative voice and more shows how a wide variety of published writers have approached the short story genre, in order to deepen the insights you gain from your own work gets you writing, with a series of original, sometimes challenging but always rewarding exercises, which can be tackled alone or adapted for use in a group includes activities at the end of each chapter. Ailsa Cox draws on her experience as a writer to provide essential information on drafting and editing, as well as a rich Resources section, which lists print and online journals that accept the work of new writers. Whether you’re writing as part of a course, in a workshop group or at home alone, this book will equip and inspire you to write better short stories, and make you a more skilled, enthusiastic and motivated writer of short stories. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Rise of the Thinking Machines Jennifer Fretland VanVoorst, 2008-09 From R2-D2 and C-3PO to the Terminator, robots have added an exciting edge to movies for decades. But what about robots that are used in real life? Robots are programmed to perform tasks that are either too difficult or too dangerous for humans to do. They can also repeat an action hundreds of times exactly the same way each time. These robots have been extremely useful in manufacturing plants, automotive industries, and even our own homes. The future of robotics, however, lies with autonomous robots robots that can act independently. This rise of artificial intelligence leads to an unlimited number of possibilities in robotics--Amazon.com. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Explanatory Model Analysis Przemyslaw Biecek, Tomasz Burzykowski, 2021-02-15 Explanatory Model Analysis Explore, Explain and Examine Predictive Models is a set of methods and tools designed to build better predictive models and to monitor their behaviour in a changing environment. Today, the true bottleneck in predictive modelling is neither the lack of data, nor the lack of computational power, nor inadequate algorithms, nor the lack of flexible models. It is the lack of tools for model exploration (extraction of relationships learned by the model), model explanation (understanding the key factors influencing model decisions) and model examination (identification of model weaknesses and evaluation of model's performance). This book presents a collection of model agnostic methods that may be used for any black-box model together with real-world applications to classification and regression problems. |
| runaround isaac asimov: Machines that Think Isaac Asimov, 1984 |
| runaround isaac asimov: 1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think Robert Arp, 2013-10-29 An elegant addition to the successful “1001” series—a comprehensive, chronological guide to the most important thoughts from the finest minds of the past 3,000 years. 1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think is a comprehensive guide to the most interesting and imaginative thoughts from the finest minds in history. Ranging from the ancient wisdom of Confucius and Plato to today’s cutting-edge thinkers, it offers a wealth of stimulation and amusement for everyone with a curious mind. Within the pages of this book you will find a wide variety of answers to the great, eternal questions: How was the universe created and what is the place of humans within it? How should a person live? And how can we build a just society? 1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think also includes a host of hypotheses that are remarkable for their sheer weirdness—from the concept of the transmigration of souls to parallel universes and the theoretical paradoxes of time travel (what happens if you travel back in time and kill your own grandfather?). Discover how the Greek philosopher Zeno “proved” a flying arrow never moves; how modern science has shown that a butterfly’s wing can stir up an Atlantic storm; and the mathematical proof of the existence of life in other galaxies. The inspirational ideas explored here range from Gandhi’s theory of civil disobedience to Henry David Thoreau’s praise of the simple life and Mary Wollstonecraft’s groundbreaking advocacy of women’s rights. The book also covers a wide variety of lifestyle concepts, such as “rational dress” and naturism, and cultural movements including Neoclassicism, Surrealism, and Postmodernism. Supported by a wealth of striking illustrations and illuminating quotations, 1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think is both an in-depth history of ideas and a delightfully browsable source of entertainment. |
| runaround isaac asimov: How AI Ate the World Chris Stokel-Walker, 2024-05-09 'An excellent starter for those who want to gain an insight into how AI works and why it's likely to shape our lives.' – The Daily Telegraph Artificial intelligence will shake up our lives as thoroughly as the arrival of the internet. This popular, up-to-date book charts AI’s rise from its Cold War origins to its explosive growth in the 2020s. Tech journalist Chris Stokel-Walker (TikTok Boom and YouTubers) goes into the laboratories of the Silicon Valley innovators making rapid advances in ‘large language models’ of machine learning. He meets the insiders at Google and OpenAI who built Gemini and ChatGPT and reveals the extraordinary plans they have for them. Along the way, he explores AI’s dark side by talking to workers who have lost their jobs to bots and engages with futurologists worried that a man-made super-intelligence could threaten humankind. He answers critical questions about the AI revolution, such as what humanity might be jeopardising and the professions that will win and lose – and whether the existential threat technologists Elon Musk and Sam Altman are warning about is realistic – or a smokescreen to divert attention away from their growing power. How AI Ate the World is a ‘start here’ guide for anyone who wants to know more about the world we have just entered. Reviews 'An excellent starter for those who want to gain an insight into how AI works and why it's likely to shape our lives.' The Daily Telegraph 'How AI Ate the World prodigiously captures the key issues and concerns around artificial intelligence.' Azeem Azhar, Exponential View 'From ancient China to Victorian England, How AI Ate The World is the story of the characters, moments, technologies, and relationships that populate the rich history of artificial intelligence... How AI Ate The World grapples with what the age of automation means for the people living through it.' Harry Law, University of Cambridge 'A witty, engaging book that takes us through AI's bumpy past to help us understand its present, and future, impacts. I highly recommend it to anyone who is impacted by AI tech – which is to say, everyone on the planet.' Sasha Luccioni, Hugging Face 'Easily the most comprehensive book on AI I have read so far, covering all the key issues' Peter Hunt, Business & Tech Correspondent, Evening Standard 'A comprehensive and compelling look at the technology that's transforming our world. It's an essential guide, full of surprises, to the technology you need to know.' Matt Navarra, social media expert 'Whether you are new to AI or have been following the AI hype for years, Chris Stokel-Walker offers an entertaining balance of history, context and insight that has something for everyone. The story of AI’s evolution is a complex one, but Stokel-Walker tackles it in a clear, direct way that will bring you up to speed while helping you grapple with what it all means — for individuals, the workplace, society and the planet.' Sharon Goldman, VentureBeat 'This book is a wild, brilliant ride through centuries of thinking about and decades of developing machines that can learn. As a crash course in how we got to this current point of thrilling chaos, it will take some beating. Whether or not you agree with Stokel-Walker’s solutions or not, How AI Ate The World is essential reading to understand where we are and how we got here' Ciaran Martin, former CEO, UK National Cyber Security Centre Buy the book to discover your future |
| runaround isaac asimov: Tales of the Black Widowers Isaac Asimov, 1974 |
| runaround isaac asimov: The Robosapien Companion James Samans, 2007-04-29 * Dr. Mark Tilden, the inventor of Robosapien,has provided the author with exclusive access to the Robosapien v2 program. * Provides access to the 20-plus Easter eggs (the hidden secrets) programmed into Robosapien. * Over 2 million Robosapiens have sold since 2004. |
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