Finished I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Submitted by battleangel1999 t3_zxx8mn in books

So my original introduction to this was with the movie which came out when I was 4 or 5 and I remember liking it so when I found out years later it was a book I decided I had to read it especially after learning how influential it was.

This was a very interesting read especially after I listened to Dune on audio a few months back. That book was heavy and after watching the movie and watching several videos about it I learned it's main philosophy was mankind thinking for itself after the banning of thinking machines. So as I read I, robot it was a nice parallel since they have robots doing the thinking. Especially with the last story The Evitable Conflict which involved Machines running the economy thus being in control of mankind although it was interesting that Dr. Calvin believed we were never in control of ourselves.

I still like the movie and I'm actually gonna watch it again in a bit but wow, it was nothing like the book. I can see where it borrowed some ideas. Like Sonny being in line with those robots mirrors the 6th story Little Lost Robot and The Evitable Conflict definitely inspired Vikkie.

I don't normally read sci-fi but after reading 3 or 4 Octavia Butler books (Clay's Ark is next) I decided to read some more so I picked this up. I'm glad I did. What was your favorite story from I, Robot?

(Side note but does anyone remember a computer game called the Legend of Crystal Valley? I played that as a kid and it also mentioned I, Robot because it was the MC favorite book)

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HRDBMW t1_j22ts9p wrote

I read Asimov so long ago I have forgotten most of it. But what I remember the most is the three laws, and then the zeroith law, as R Daniel dedicates his existence to the survival of mankind. I think that philosophy changed me, and directed me. That I don't matter, other individuals don't matter, not if we threaten the survival of humanity, which is paramount... THAT matters.

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farseer4 t1_j23bufr wrote

Once you accept something like the 0th law, you have carte blanche to commit all kinds of atrocities, in the name of a nebulous "greater good".

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mickdrop t1_j23siv6 wrote

Once you accept something like the 1st law, you also have carte blanche to commit all kind of atrocities to save more lives. You can justify killing one person to harvest his organs to save 5 persons. That's the trolley problem once again.

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farseer4 t1_j243jjl wrote

Actually, you can't. The first law prevents robots from hurting any humans. It would take something like the 0th law to allow a robot to kill people in order to save more people.

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HRDBMW t1_j246teq wrote

If through inaction, 5 humans die instead of one, that violates the 1st law.

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palparepa t1_j252i6d wrote

But if through action, that one human dies, it still violates the first law. Older robots get completely stumped on facing such a dilemma.

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HRDBMW t1_j24bad1 wrote

Yes. And I do feel that way. But I also have rules I live by. One of the David Tenent Doctor Who episodes (I think a Good Man Goes to War?) mentioned who needs those rules, and why.

And no, I'm not Dexter.

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RelationshipPublic52 t1_j23bz4x wrote

It's been ages since my read but the one that stuck with me the most was the robot "twidling it's fingers"

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HorizonUniverse t1_j24j9br wrote

It’s such a cool book. Great concept, fun mysteries, endearing characters, and a lot of humour as well :) !

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Alagane t1_j26bf5e wrote

I really liked I, Robot. His later robot books are also quite good, if a little 60s rough around the edges at times.

With artificial intelligence becoming a greater possibility I've been thinking about Asimov quite a bit lately.

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battleangel1999 OP t1_j26cs3j wrote

Oh yes I've heard his other books are good as well. I don't know which one I'll start with but I would definitely like to read more by him. If the way we're going with artificial intelligence it's definitely a good time to read more books by him and other sci-fi writers.

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Alagane t1_j26k0a2 wrote

Foundation is good. I made a mistake while reading them and assumed Second Foundation was the second book. Its the third, so I was confused.

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