The Robot by Chipka
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Description
"A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law."
—Isaac Asimov/The Three Laws of Robotics (First introduced in the short story: Runaround and later re-used in Asimov’s Robot Series novels.)
***
Though robots have a history stretching back to 1 AD and earlier, our recognition of “true” robots can be credited to the Czech writer Karel Čapek. Well, to be fair, his brother Josef coined the term and Karel used it in his landmark play, R.U.R.. The term, “robot” is native to the Slavic language group and has, at various times, referred to humans in a particular social class and more generally, humans with jobs. In Čapek’s play, the term exists as something of a dark pun, as it refers to artificially created “serfs” who seem happy to do their work, until they rebel, wipe out humanity, and thus prove that they weren’t very happy to begin with. Though they’re called “robots” the automated characters in R.U.R are actually androids. In the premier of the play, they looked exactly like...well...Czech people in odd clothing.
Though I’ve read R.U.R, and various other “robot” tales (both modern and not so modern) I can’t say that I have too much of an interest in robots. They are after all, rather boring to me. On the flip side of that, I’m immensely interested in androids: artificial, and largely inorganic people. The main distinction is that robots can never be mistaken for human beings, but androids are indistinguishable from humans. Andorids are, in fact, artificial humans, whereas old-fashioned self-playing pianos and cuckoo clocks those wind-up chattering teeth with feet qualify as robots.
I’ve been thinking about robots quite a lot recently, simply because I possess an extensive (and growing) collection of Star Wars action figures. As a child, I played with them in the backyard of my childhood home, and now, as an adult, I collect them and often find myself amazed at the amount of detailing they possess. I have mixed feelings about Star Wars in general, but I love the look of the characters, and I rather like the fact that modern Star Wars action figures, though marketed at kids, are most-often collected by adults in my particular age group. It’s because of a particular action figure that I’ve been thinking about robots. I’d purchased one action figure and received a “super battle droid” as a freebie. It was next to my laptop on one particular evening, and I liked the way it looked in LED generate light.
As I’d recently been out, scavenging dead computer guts from a particular, semi-famous truck-yard, I was inspired to entertain myself during the boring evening in question. I took pictures of a toy and dead circuit boards, and I liked the result. I took a picture of a toy and dead circuit boards, illuminated by an LED-enhanced cigarette lighter. I giggled at the idea of putting an onion skin in the shot. There were no onion skins available.
The “B2 Super Battle Droid” pictured here, is a common representation of what we take to be a robot. Indeed, it is a robot (a toy one at any rate) and not an android…ah, but in the Star Wars universe, “droids” seem to exist somewhere between proper robots and proper androids. The famous ones, like C-3PO are actually robots with very human neurotic tendencies. The Super Battle Droids are…well…thuggish, and not inordinately bright. So I guess, in that way, they’re “droid-ish,” despite the ultimate (and rather goofy) inaccuracy of that name.
And so, here we have it, a rather non-functional robot next to my laptop, and as always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (30)
RodS
This is intense, Chip! The lighting makes this SBD look very real, and even more threatening. The previous generaton of battle droids ("roger-roger") just crack me up for some reason! Don't feel bad - at my age, I'm hopelssly addicted to the 'Clone Wars' cartoons. Sad, isn't it? LOL
MagikUnicorn
IMPRESSIVE...LIKE THE STORY AS USUAL :) Come see my today post...good story to read :)
NefariousDrO
I like how you've placed the computer parts behind it, and the lighting is so wonderfully stark. For me when I think of androids and such I always end up thinking of Mary Shelley. It is interesting how many of those kinds of stories hinge upon something made to serve humans, who ultimately ends up destroying them. Even "Jurassic Park" is ultimately following the same formula. We seem obsessed with the idea that our own capacity to make things is also our undoing. I wonder what the Ancient Greek playwrights would make of that?
jac204
The circuit board works wall as a science fiction prop. Thanks for the insight on the origins of the work "robot".
Orinoor
I believe I've met some people that might qualify as "droidish". I love the picture and dialogue, even laughed out loud at the thought of how you might incorporate an onion skin into the scene. Really, you need to follow that one!
MrsRatbag
Seriously cool work, Chip!
jared99
That's completely awesome -- congrats.
mbz2662
Yay :) Cool work! I first thought of I-Robot when I read the "3 Laws". That is a 'staple' movie at our house as are Star Trek and Star Wars and, and, and... lol. I
geirla
Great picture and commentary!
C-Monster
Thank you for the history of robots. The pictue reminds me of some very old cartoons back in the 60's
potrimpo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto Who in the hell is Kilroy?
beachzz
Wow, you make this robot seem so sinister and scary--totally awesome, dude!!
kgb224
Outstanding composition and capture my friend.
Crabbycabby
Great lighting.
durleybeachbum
I love the way it LOOMS.
helanker
WOW ! It really looks great and it looks like the robot is big, because of the old computer components you have placed behind it. Excellent and fun indeed.
Meisiekind
Scary looking dude and I wouldn't want to end up on his wrong side!!! Superb work with both image and narrative dear Chip!!
gonedigital
Wonderful information. This is a great image! I sort of have a vision of the ultimate "robot" more of a cyborg really with a human brain and metal body. I think it will eventually be what we evolve into due to the frailness of our nature. Well done!
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent!
sandra46
SUBLIME! SUPER COOL!
auntietk
This one does bear resemblance to Battlestar Gallactica ... or maybe it's the other way around. Either way ... this ROCKS! What a cool image! The lighting and the way this turned out makes me think I might like to hide for a little while ... just until he goes away! :P
evielouise
cool robot indeed !!!
flavia49
awesome photo and work!! superb!!
Sepiasiren
who--magnificent--speechless and stuff gape
A_Sunbeam
Splendid creation!
praep
Beautiful image.
danapommet
Fantastic background to show off your battle droid. Dana
KatesFriend
Ah, why can we not have a 'thuggish' warrior robot with all the intellectual subtleties of an Einstein or a Buddha? Are tranquil meditation and heartless, systematic massacre truly mutually exclusive? If it has done a full social, technological and readiness analysis of its enemies does it then have a full social, technological and readiness analysis of itself? Would such creations think too much? Would they truly drive us further down the dreaded peace curve? I will never understand the mad scientist lobby and their over riding desire to create things that can so easily over power their feasible controls. For people so smart as to create not just the artificial intelligence but the walking war machines to house them, they certainly never see their comeuppance marching or gliding down Main Street uttering words like "Exterminate!", "Kill!" or "Brains!".
ShadowsNTime
Well! You knew I would have to comment on this one:-) since he was my fav author and I have watched the movie at least 4 times! This one actually made me think of RoboCop, somewhat menacing in its silence and also of The Day The Earth Stood Still, same quite menace standing there awaiting orders from the messenger. I am always amazed at where your mind goes when you create an image and I love that you giggled thinking of the onion skin:-) I also love that seeing your work always makes my mind travel off in all sorts of directions. Its a grand image! And I look forward to the upcoming image! Thank you for your visit, your kind words for my daughter and family. Unfortunately since the uprising there I have been glued to the phone, news and email. Delta canceled her return flight for Feb.16th and have refunded her ticket, however the cost to return home is now $4000 (versus $1500 before)and she doesn't have the money so is now stuck there until prices come down or the embassy helps her...I have to tell you I am scared! I told her not to make this trip, I knew something bad was coming, begged her not to go and even had a member here talk to her but she wouldn't listen. One big lesson for here, her last email days ago said she was tired of being there and I could feel the fear in her that she won't get out. Now with the whole middle east unrest its possible, well, its unthinkable right now...I just continue to hope...
bob4artist
That's pretty cool. I liked your writing. Informative and personal. Good style. - Bob