The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion
SF Themes: Discussions & Reads
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Robot/Android Book Recs for Resarch
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Welcome!The Humanoids by Jack Williamson is a foundation book on robots. What happens if robots really want to protect humans, even from themselves? It's chilling & there are some follow up books.
The Berserker universe by Fred Saberhagen is about sentient robot soldiers (including space ships) that were programmed to kill life in a galactic war many eons ago by an alien race. Now they've discovered humanity expanding out into the galaxy.
The Bolo universe by Keith Laumer is about tanks fitted with AI's. The early AI's aren't really sentient in the early Bolos, but half the fun is that threshold. The first book (like the first Berserkers) is a series of short stories. Both series were eventually expanded on by other authors at the invitation of their respective originators. While they don't have to be read in any particular order, I'd suggest starting with the first book of both before going on to the others.
Saberhagen also edited a good anthology Machines That Kill.
There's a few to get you started.
Cool, I'm adding those to my list, thanks!Also, I appreciate you taking the time to go in depth with them too.
A couple of others that might be of interest are The Windup Girl and The Lifecycle of Software Objects. Maybe not exactly what your looking for but good nonetheless :)
I'll check em' out. If nothing else, it'll make for good reading material.
Jo wrote: "A couple of others that might be of interest are The Windup Girl and The Lifecycle of Software Objects. Maybe not exactly what your looking for but good nonetheless :)"What, Jo said.
Isaac Asimov's Robot series and related short stories should be a must-read. https://www.goodreads.com/series/4917... Asimov famously developed the Three Laws of Robotics. Many of his robot stories deal with the conflicts and paradoxes in the three laws.
Just wanted to update you folks since you were kind enough to grace me with recommendations. I made a big order through Thriftbooks today. 8 books, 7 of which are my "research." I decided to avoid Asimov for now since his books will take up an order and a half in their own right.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
Neuromancer
Avogadro Corp (Singularity #1)
The Jesus Incident
The Humanoids (by Jack Williamson)
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
And R.U.R.
@Buck: I don't get why The Lifecycle of Software Objects is so rare/hard to find/expensive. Did it have a limited print?
I do have another question though. For a novel surrounding robotics, is it important for me to have a concrete understanding of how robotics would work? I mean, an understanding is necessary, but do I need a mechanical engineering degree in order to have merit in a robotics novel?
The cost for The Lifecycle of Software Objects is indeed ridiculous. Seems as if only the hardback is available in English any more. This is the sort of idiocy that leads to piracy.
If you don't mind reading online The Lifecycle of Software Objects can be found here:http://subterraneanpress.com/magazine...
Matthew wrote: "Just wanted to update you folks since you were kind enough to grace me with recommendations. I made a big order through Thriftbooks today. 8 books, 7 of which are my "research." I decided to avoi..."
It's a good selection of books (although personally I just don't like Neuromancer.)
Knowledge of mechanical engineering for a novel on robotics depends on the type of novel you want to write. I think you will see that as you read your list of books. The more hard sci-fi novels, where things are really based on science tend to cover more the mechanics of how the robots work (or would in theory) but other books can be more abstract and so the detailed workings of the robots are not necessary. Both are good in different ways.
I haven't ironed out how in depth the robotics will be in my future project, but I think after I get a wide view of both hard sf and sf that is more abstract, as you said, I should have a good idea of where I want to go with it. Thanks Jo!
@JoReading through RUR now. It's quite intriguing.
Matthew wrote: "@JoReading through RUR now. It's quite intriguing."
I agree, it's surprising when you think it was written in 1920 and this was the book that introduced the word Robot to the English language. It gives you a lot to think about.
Matthew wrote: "@JoReading through RUR now. It's quite intriguing."
I just put R.U.R. on my library to-read list. It is a BBC Classic Radio Sci-Fi audio dramatization. 1 hour 45 minutes. It was originally written as a play.
Matthew wrote: "Next on the list is the Neuromancer"This is one of the few books I just cannot like, i've now read it twice and both times I felt the same. I'm clearly missing something as most people seem to love it but I definitely won't be reading it a third time!
I really liked "Neuromancer" when it first came out 30 odd years ago. It was unique & really fired my imagination. I've tried rereading it & listening to it a few times over the past decade or so & didn't like it. It didn't age well for me at all.
I'm definitely going in without hopes of a lifechanging sf. I know that some people have compared Armada with it (in a negative way) and I did like Armada, though not as much as Ready Player One. We shall see. I think part of the reason that I am reading it is to see for myself what some of the hype is about. But it's also a research reason. I need to cast as wide a net over AI/robotics/SF as possible.
I've read Neuromancer, Ready Player One, and Armada. I wouldn't compare the two Ernest Cline books with Neuromancer. Neuromancer is the prototypical cyberpunk novel, It pretty much established the sub-genre. The other two are certainly cyber, but not so much punk. This was my quickie review: Neuromancer is like reading a dream. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Gibson wrote this while on a high speed ride in a Cadillac convertible with Hunter Thompson and his attorney. The allusion is to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
I've read all 3 as well & agree entirely with Buck. Cline's books are almost YA, Gibson's is gritty.
Cool. Looking forward to it, regardless. Just finished RUR. While antiquated, I think it's got some tread left on its tires.
Mathew,Let me ask you a question to help. What are you looking or in general for your story? There are plenty of stories to read, but can we narrow it down to help you. Are you leaning one way or the other?
If I had to narrow it down, since I am not studying robotics, I'd say it'd be soft-SF (not grounded in scientific fact). Androids, and Robotics being the main themes. AI is ok, though my story isn't about AI per say (just that there'll be AI present... it's not an AI takes over story, that's what I mean).
Unless you were talking about something else, in which case, you may have to narrow your question down.
I read Neuromancer around the time it came out. There were comparisons of Gibson to writers I loved like Samuel R. Delany. Gibson even wrote, in my opinion, a pretty lame intro to my favorite book, Dhalgren, later on. I didn't get Neuromancer either. I found it dry and not terribly enjoyable on any level. I didn't understand the comparison to Delany at all.
I hope you enjoyed Windup Girl. Definitely one of my favorites from the last few years.
Okay, so I haven't updated this in a while. I ended up reading Windup Girl, but wasn't too thrilled by it. Bacigalupi does know how to tell a descriptive tale, but I had to force myself through it. I took a break from my Robot/Android research to read a Robert Jordan piece and am reading Cassandra Clare's newest novel. Then I'm going to get back into them. Next up is Avogadro Corp
Matthew wrote: "Okay, so I haven't updated this in a while. I ended up reading Windup Girl, but wasn't too thrilled by it. Bacigalupi does know how to tell a descriptive tale, but I had to force myself through it...."One reason I liked Windup Girl so much is it got into the down side of genetic engineering. Given so many countries are banning them or severely limiting their use and the U. S. government is still bent on using them and forcing others to use them, I found it to be an extremely important novel for our time. I was involved in getting a GMO labeling bill passed in my state, CT, the first to pass into law.
I see what you're saying. New York just blocked a bill that enable GMO's to be hidden on packaging, so it is definitely current, but I was reading it more for the robotics, and I found that less than stellar, and definitely not to focus, despite the title. Then again, opinions are numerous.
David wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Okay, so I haven't updated this in a while. I ended up reading Windup Girl, but wasn't too thrilled by it. Bacigalupi does know how to tell a descriptive tale, but I had to force my..."Just bought the book. I read Pump Six and Other Stories and loved it. Looking forward to reading the novel. In about two or three back list.
The Evolution of Science Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Pump Six and Other Stories (other topics)Avogadro Corp (other topics)
Neuromancer (other topics)
The Windup Girl (other topics)
Ready Player One (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jack Williamson (other topics)Fred Saberhagen (other topics)
Keith Laumer (other topics)
So I am sketching out a novel, years down the line, that is going to be centered around a sentient robotic race. Obviously I can use Google, or Goodreads lists for recommendations, but I thought I'd try the human connection. Do you have any personal favorites or hated books that have themes including (but not limited to): Robotics, Androids, Cybernetics, (hell even Technomancy), or Artificial intelligence? Obviously this is a big gambit, so you don't need to spend a long time getting them all. Just shoot me a few titles if you've got a free moment.
What I'm looking at now for research: Robopocalypse (and sequels) 2001: A Space Odyssey, (Asimov), (Phillip K. Dick), Neuromancer, Avogadro Corp, The Jesus Incident. So if you know any, want to personally suggest any or steer me away from any, I'd appreciate all responses.
Cheers.
edit: Many of the books I had listed came pre-'71, but I decided to go post '71 for the forum area simply out of convenience. I meant not to offend with ignorance.