June 2013 Nominations-Robots, Androids and Cyborgs!

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

For the nominations for June, our theme will be Robots, Androids and Cyborgs!

All nominations must feature AI creations......

[Mickey]

Please do not pick, Robocapypse, it is like chewing on gravel as I am currently reading it.

I have not read yet own, "Do Androids dream of electric sheep" by Philip K Dick, That might be cool.

Wake, Watch and Wonder by Robert J Sawyer were ok, but not great in my opinion.
I could read "Moon is a Harsh mistress" by Heinlein again... Excellent book with an AI moon base machine.

I nominate: "Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep".

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

unfortunately, Mickey-we read that one already! (its one of my faves)


I am thinking of a culture novel, but debating which one would be a good 'droid example

[Kevin]

I suggest Crossover by Joel Shepherd

It's not a classic like "Do Androids ..." or the Culture series, but it's fun and cleverly written and written by an author who IMO is less well known than he deserves to be.

[Mickey]

I have read "CrossOver" it is an excellent book, I liked it and a memorable story.
However you might as well add "Break-Away" also for the conclusion.

Never read "Gridlinked by Neal Asher" is that an AI story?
Hmm. Is "Steel. Beach by John Varley" an AI story?
Just putting out ideas beyond the obvious Isaac Asimov's - Daniel R Steel.

[Richard]

Maggie wrote: "unfortunately, Mickey-we read that one already! (its one of my faves)


I am thinking of a culture novel, but debating which one would be a good 'droid example"

Oh, oh, oh!

How about Look to Windward?

I know it can divide opinion but it is just about my current favourite Culture novel, and I would say the most central and interesting character is the Mind that runs the entire Habitat.

As always Banks creates an AI character far removed from the usual emotionless computer derived personality, and this one practically moved me to tears (a task getting easier as I get older).

[mark, personal space invader]

i love Look to Windward. absolutely agree with your comment on that particular Mind. and the end did actually make me tear up, more than a little. what a softie!

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

I havent read Look to Windward yet, so I will take your suggestion and go with it!

[Mickey]

Question, I looked at the reviews of the book "Look to Windward" next to it was "Culture, #7"?
To understand the book, will I need to read the first six books before I get a good understanding of #7?

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

not at all Mickey, the culture novels are all very different stories, just set in the same universe

[Kevin]

I nominate The Caves of Steel, the first robot novel by Asimov, who I think first used the term robot.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

We read that one already too Kevin...

[Richard]

Kevin wrote: "I nominate The Caves of Steel, the first robot novel by Asimov, who I think first used the term robot."

I read that one recently Kevin. Not bad for its age, but your claim that Asimov might have first used the term Robot got me thinking. After a couple of minutes Googling (stuck in a hotel room with time on my hands) I seemed to confirm my suspicions.

It appears that the word Robot was first used in the play R.U.R. by Karel Čapek in 1920 but according to an anecdote by Karel was apparently invented by his older brother Josef.

Well, who knew!

Isn't the Internet a wonderful thing.

[Evilynn]

I've had The Alchemy of Stone on my TBR list for ages. The protagonist is an intelligent automaton, but it's probably more steampunk/Science Fantasy than pure SF, would it hold up as a nomination?

[mark, personal space invader]

The Silver Metal Lover by Tanith Lee

[Anita]

What about The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster

[Kevin]

Anita wrote: "What about The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster"

I had no idea E.M. Forster wrote any genre fiction.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

it looks like The Machine Stops is only 48 pages long....definitely a short story.

[Álvaro]

Uauuu! Robots and cyborgs!!! I´ve taken into account all the books I haven´t read yet. In this moment I´m interested by Crossover. Thank you KevinB for your suggestion

[Anita]

Maggie wrote: "it looks like The Machine Stops is only 48 pages long....definitely a short story."

Yes, it´s a short story and possibly not long enough for the monthly read. I have no idea how many good books are out there dealing with the nature of androids, robots and cyborgs, except for Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Tuff call...

[Anita]

Kevin wrote:I had no idea E.M. Forster wrote any genre fiction."

Me neither, but it´s absolutely worth reading. Forster´s descriptions of the future are amazing. Funny, that he already wrote about cyber-technology in 1909.

Free copy:

http://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/downl...

[Mickey]

Just because I did not care for Robopocalypse by Wilson does not mean others here will not like it. I just finished the book yesterday. It is like a terminator novel if you like that type of read.

Robopocalypse

[Aoife]

How about Consider Phelbeas, the first Culture novel? I've just started it!

Or would love to read 'Do Androids..' too :)

[Scott]

Saturn's Children was interesting.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

ooooh the femmebot book! good one...There are a couple of these I ended up adding to my already toppling tbr mountains.....

Allright, Im going to set up the poll now! Thanks everyone!

[Jonathan]

are we still doing Consider Phlebas this month of June? If so, where are we discussing that...? Thanks!

[Mickey]

Do we Consider, Consider Phlebas here or consider Consider Phlebas in the Consider Phlebas in the Space Opera section where we could consider consider Phlebas. That would Please Bus emensily... Just Considering.

[Katja]

Turing Evolved.

[Jonathan]

I'll consider that, Mickey!