Science Fiction Book Review - Themes From Asimov's Robot Series

I not too long ago study I, Robot, a collection of quick stories written by Isaac Asimov in 1950's. The film that came out a handful of years ago with the very same title was loosely primarily based upon some of the themes from the stories, but did not stick to any distinct plot in the stories. Even though I did get pleasure from the film, it failed, in my opinion, to capture the depth of the original writing and and themes Asimov was attempting to communicate. Asimov's physique of perform is regarded a pillar of science fiction, and his Robot Series is some of his ideal operate. If you have not study it, I very advocate that you do. And if you never want me to spoil it for you, cease reading now.

I, Robot tells the story of the creation of a robotic race, for lack of a greater term, designed First as a perform force for men and women, and the troubles that arise as this race integrates into humanity. For security, every single robot is programmed with 3 simple laws,

1. A robot may possibly not injure a human getting or, by means of inaction, permit a human getting to come to harm.
2. A robot should obey any orders offered to it by human beings, except exactly where such orders would conflict with the Initial Law.
3. A robot should shield its personal existence as lengthy as such protection does not conflict with the Initial or Second Law

The general plot of the stories discover how numerous robots, as they turn out to be much more sophisticated, interpret those Laws, and how these interpretations impact the globe. As the stories close to the finish, a couple of humans understand robots have assumed much more and extra manage over the globe, politically and economically. Every thing has turn out to be much more effective. Improved guidelines. Much less poverty. The planet is really a far better location, simply because robots have come to be far a lot more sophisticated, and are Much less corrupt than humans. In 1 of the final scenes, it is revealed that the robots have accomplished this on goal, for the sole objective of fulfilling the Initially Law. They have taken manage simply because they know humans are much better off in their hands than our personal. Even so, they Visit great lengths to hide the truth that they have taken handle, for the reason that our awareness of our loss of manage would injure us emotionally, and that would be a violation of the Initial Law. In essence, humans may possibly do not know they have been not in manage.

This is why Asimov is a genius. He understood anything profound about humanity. It appears we would rather run our personal lives, even if we know its not the most effective life attainable.

If you happen to be a parent, you have possibly utilised the phrase "This is for your personal excellent". This phrase is generally followed by the parent producing the youngster do one thing they never want to do, like consuming vegetables. The kid possibly understands that the parent is appropriate, even if they never realize why. But they will fight as extended as they can. Why? Simply because they are becoming developed to do it. They are fighting for manage, even if maintaining that handle implies facing otherwise avoidable discomfort and difficulty later.

In various approaches, we do not develop up. I nonetheless discover this theme in my personal life. I grasp for manage and fight to comprehend issues that are frequently totally beyond me. I know I do not have the wisdom or understanding to call the shots in my personal life, but maintain performing it anyway. I know what it implies to trust and see Although undertaking so would advantage my life, but nevertheless obtain it difficult to bring myself to do it. I tend to be substantially much more prepared to do one thing Though it is my idea.

This is what designed Asimov great. In those stories, he chose to use robots to examine the human situation. He wove creativity and insight into very fascinating, entertaining stories that challenged us to believe.

- Jerran Wolf is a science fiction author and a fan of all kinds of sci-fi. Go to http://jerranwolf.com to study far more of his thoughts on science fiction books and films.