This week I would like to discuss Isaac Asimov.
Figure 1: Isaac Asimov; revolutionary author and
scientist. Source: [www.slate.com]
Asimov was a scientist and avid science fiction writer who
gained popularity in the era after World War II. Asimov wrote about biology,
astronomy, math, and religion as well (Bio). He is attributed to writing some
of the most brilliant science fiction stories of his time, and many of them
have to do with robotics. Asimov coined the three laws of robotics in his story
collection I, Robot.
Figure 2: Asimov’s three laws. Source:
[www.unleashthefanboy.com/news/united-nations-worried-about-killer-robots-invoking-isaac-asimovs-three-laws-of-robotics/]
Asimov’s story would later be recreated into a motion
picture starring Will Smith. This movie presents anti-automation sentiments through
the main character Detective Del Spooner. Spooner’s thoughts align very heavily
with the Luddites of the Industrial Revolution. Spooner believes that humanity
should not rely on their advanced robotic assistants, and that the old ways of
the past are being destroyed by this new technology. The Luddites was a popular
following of the working class that were violently opposed to technological
change and introduction of new machinery in the textile industry (National
Archives). The Luddites are one of several counter-revolutionary uprisings that
dissented from popular use of industrial machines like the ones presented in
Prof. Vesna’s Art and Robotics Lecture. During the film, Detective Spooner even
goes so far as to say “Look, this is not what I do but, I have an idea for one of
your commercials: You could see a carpenter, makin' a beautiful chair, and then
one of your robots comes in, and makes a better chair, twice as fast. And then
you super-impose on the screen: "USR. Shittin' on the little guy."
That would be the fade out.” (Wikiquote).
Spooner’s disdain for the robotic industry and his rivalry
with the robot in the movie harks back to a similar folk legend of John
Henry. John Henry is the “doomed railroad worker who bests a mechanical drill
only to die at the moment of victory.” (Grimes, W.). It seems that themes of
man fighting back against the inevitability of mechanical innovation span
centuries.
Spooner’s commentary provides insight into the era that will
likely be called the Robotic Revolution. This sentiment is not held by the
company producing the robots. Below is an example of an advertisement for the
NS-5 seen in the film.
[Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8Yr17VCFwI]
Isaac Asimov truly
encapsulates the spirit of art and robotics.
Coulson, Ian.
"Luddites." The National
Archives Learning Curve | Power, Politics and Protest | Luddites. Web. 20 Apr.
2015. <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/politics/g3/>.
Grimes, William. "Taking Swings at a Myth, with John
Henry the Man." New York Times 18 Oct. 2006. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/books/18grim.html?ex=1168750800&en=2c72dddaeac54265&ei=5070&_r=0>.
"Isaac
Asimov." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
"I, Robot
(film)." Wikiquote. Web. 20 Apr.
2015. <http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/I,_Robot_(film)>.
Vesna, V.
Robotics. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/346337/pages/unit-3-view?module_item_id=6472144>.
Very interesting read Jeff. A buddy of mine gave me a bunch of Asimov books once and I never got around to reading them, but now I'm inspired to crack them open.
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel about the use of drones for warfare? How about for medicine? It's interesting to see where people draw the line in assistive robots.
Really cool perspective on Asimov and you did a really good job of using an actual figure in history to show the impact art and robotics can have. I never knew of Asimov and I am really glad you showed me how big of an impact he had in not only movie culture but in science and mathematics culture as well.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your focus on Asimov. I thought it was a very different approach than what I chose, therefore very refreshing to read.
ReplyDeleteI thought your choice of the movie I Robot was very appropriate for this week's lesson and worked wonderfully with the subject of art and robots considering its the clash of cinema and science; art and robots.
Good work!