I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

[Xdyj]

Discuss I, Robot here. How would you compare this book with other science fiction works (books, movies or TV shows) that involve AI before or after this book?

[[deleted user]]

This is one of my favorite books, an early SF read that defined robots & the logic of the genre for me. I'm constantly surprised by how many people haven't read this as it is required reading for an true SF fan if only because the Three Laws of Robotics that have permeated so many works after it.

1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey orders givein to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

It's not one story as so many people think because of the horrible movie starring Will Smith, but 9 short stories. They are:
"Robbie"
"Runaround"
"Reason"
"Catch that Rabbit"
"Liar!"
"Little Lost Robot"
"Escape!"
"Evidence"
"The Evitable Conflict"

Each story explores a different aspect of robot/human relations &/or Murphy's Law. Lots of fun!

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

I like the movie with Will Smith even though I've also read this...

It's a very good short story collection (and I've read many). It's probably one of my favourite sci-fi short story collections (although I need to get into more sci-fi classics compared to anything else).

[Stefan]

I too like both the movie and the book. You do get some glimpses of some of the different story elements in the film, but they did pretty much go with their own storyline. At least they got the three rules in there.

As with any short story collection, some are better than others, but overall it was pretty good.

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

Speaking on how it compares to other media involving AI. I much prefer the whole i-robot idea and the three laws to say Spielberg's film A.I. It seems more...intelligent and realistic?

[[deleted user]]

Isaac Asimov was a really smart guy. He wrote books in almost every major shelf of the Dewey Decimal system & several fiction genres. His mysteries were good & his book on weights & measures is really interesting. He turned what could (should?) have been a boring read into a very entertaining & interesting one.

It's also amazing how well the stories have held up over time, too. Some things are dated, but most isn't bad at all.

[Bev]

I like Asimov but he can be a bit dated for new readers. I do love I Robot though and read it years ago mainly because we used to call my brother Robert - Trebor the Robot! Unkind but I was a kid.
Great stories in good size chunks. I too like the film though but more as a separate entity.

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

Bev wrote: "I like Asimov but he can be a bit dated for new readers. I do love I Robot though and read it years ago mainly because we used to call my brother Robert - Trebor the Robot! Unkind but I was a kid.
..."

I fully agree with you Bev. And Horace I guess he's a lot like H.G.Wells in that way. Although I've read more H.G.Wells since I've only read this Asimov book. I still need to read foundation.

[Bev]

Funnily enough I found a copy of Foundation on my bookshelf and though ooh must re read. Most of my books are in boxes in the garage after we had a conversion done and the kids invaded my library space. Let me know your take on it when you get around to it.

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

Sure thing. I always write the review of the book but it doesn't quite cover all my views on a book. No doubt I'll post something here on it.

[Marjorie]

Jonathan wrote: "Sure thing. I always write the review of the book but it doesn't quite cover all my views on a book. No doubt I'll post something here on it."

And you always write good and useful reviews, too! :)

[Jonathan , Reader of the fantastic]

I strive for consistency. Hopefully it pays off :P

[Brad]

I, Robot was the first Asimov book I read. After I finished it, I was driven to read more of his works. He was a very engaging writer, and brought his creations to life in my mind. I thought the movie was just ok, but don't feel it portrayed what the short stories were about.

[[deleted user]]

Here's the TOC:
Introduction
Robbie
Runaround
Reason
Catch That Rabbit
Liar!
Little Lost Robot
Escape!
Evidence
The Evitable Conflict

[Brenda]

These are classics of the genre. Also they are among his most accesible work; short fiction is a better gateway than a fat intimidating novel.

[[deleted user]]

I'm just going to toss this tangential tibit out there because it amused me:

So, I'm watching SyFy (US) new quiz-format show Geeks Who Drink (The studio audience may be larger than the number of actual viewers, but then in the studio you get free drinks.)

So, for one quiz question they show a movie clip with Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, and warehouse full of robots. "I, Robot", obviously. The question is:

"The title of this scifi movie came from a book by what author?"

The first team of "geeks" had no answer; the other team guesses "Neil Gaiman". <facepalm>

Bonus: One of the contestants is actor Alan Tudyk (you probably think of him as Walsh on Firefly.) Turns out he played the voice of the robot ("Sonny") in the "I, Robot" movie.

BTW, I liked the way they worded that question: title.

[Jim]

Ugh.

[Rose]

G33z3r wrote: "I'm just going to toss this tangential tibit out there because it amused me:

So, I'm watching SyFy (US) new quiz-format show Geeks Who Drink (The studio audience may be larger than the number of a..."

Wait, just to be clear...a guy who actually worked on this movie didn't know the basics about the movie he was in? How many drinks do they get to have before they start filming this show?

[[deleted user]]

Rose wrote: "Wait, just to be clear...a guy who actually worked on this movie didn't know the basics about the movie he was in?..."

Well, yes, if you consider a book author one of the "basics". In fairness, it was a dozen years ago and Tudyk has a lengthy IMDd page.

OTOH, I thought Asimov & his three laws were widely famous under the "robots" category. Clearly I was wrong.

[Rose]

G33z3r wrote: "Well, yes, if you consider a book author one of the "basics"..."

I personally do. I pay attention to every movie when it says "Based on a book by...". If I was being payed to work with a script for a movie, I would think I would know it for sure. Maybe I just pay more attention to that sort of thing than most people. But Asimov is famous...even people who don't read much know his name and his more popular book titles.
Lets blame his stupidity on the alcohol.

[Lindsay]

protip: No matter how much you love him and his writing, do not name your dog Asimov. Most people don't even read, let alone read sci-fi. You'll tell them it's the guy who wrote I, Robot and they say they like Will Smith. Or they think you named your dog "Asthma." True facts.

[[deleted user]]

Lindsay wrote: "protip: No matter how much you love him and his writing, do not name your dog Asimov. Most people don't even read, let alone read sci-fi. You'll tell them it's the guy who wrote I, Robot they say they like Will Smith. Or they think you named your dog "Asthma." True facts."

Not "like a color, a shade of purple-grey"?

[Lindsay]

G33z3r wrote: "Not 'like a color, a shade of purple-grey'"

I am so using that! Next time I go the dog park, I'll hear all-new confused responses... from "but he's not purple, he's black" to "did you mean to name him periwinkle?"

Oh yes, I cannot wait. I'll smile and change the subject, all the while pining away for goodreads, the only place I can be myself. ;)

[Phil]

G33z3r wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "protip: No matter how much you love him and his writing, do not name your dog Asimov. Most people don't even read, let alone read sci-fi. You'll tell them it's the guy who wrote I, ..."

Ha ha, got it.

And I refuse to believe that Asimov is outdated. When his books are good, it's just a pleasure to be in contact with that unique, analytical mind of his.

Also, on the movie- I was really frustrated that they replaced Susan Calvin, one of the few really good female characters of classic SF, with Will Smith. Couldn't they put a female lead in that movie?

[[deleted user]]

Phil wrote: "Also, on the movie- I was really frustrated that they replaced Susan Calvin, one of the few really good female characters of classic SF, with Will Smith. Couldn't they put a female lead in that movie? ..."

Technically, Bridget Moynahan's character was Susan Calvin (and she was a robot psychologist.) However, she was reduced to siiiiidekick for the movie.

The challenge in making a movie based on Asimov's robot stories is Asimov kept them essentially non-violent mysteries. Robot does something unexpected (but certainly never a robot rebellion) and Dr. Calvin arrives to investigate & explain it.

Hollywood wants a action movie, and Will Smith was their chosen action hero. They needed something for him to shoot, so, robot rebellion (even though Asimov created his robot stories specifically to move away from the then cliché of killer robots.)

[Phil]

G33z3r wrote: "Phil wrote: "Also, on the movie- I was really frustrated that they replaced Susan Calvin, one of the few really good female characters of classic SF, with Will Smith. Couldn't they put a female lea..."

I dream of a world in which scientists standing around discussing the laws of robotics will be a viable Hollywood movie. After that, we can work on a movie where mathematicians stand around discussing variables and sample size as a way to control the flow of history.