"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" Technology *spoiler free*

[Brad]

I don't think a discussion of the books technology should give us too much reason for spoilers, so what do y'all think of the tech?

[Margaret]

Much as I love this book, it's amusing to go back and read it and realize how different was the path computer technology took from the one Heinlein projects.

[stormhawk]

I thought Manny's interchangeable arms were a sort of a nod to Heinlein's earlier story, "Waldo." I thought it was interesting that rather than just utilitarian attachments he also had a "social" arm.

Having argued with ELIZA a number of times, I know Mike is beyond our capabilities, but he's an interesting idea, especially since Heinlein gives him an understanding of humor and what appears to be a social conscience, although I'm probably anthropomorphizing him too much.

[Jeffrey]

Its been a while since I read this book. Besides Mike, which in many ways was a fairly new idea of A.I, there was surrogate pregnancy, switchable robotic prosthetic arms.

On the other hand there is the hush hood, the devise to not allow others to hear what is being said.

Or the catapult to move objects back to earth.