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"There's a poetry in the materials we use to construct our world of artifacts; it speaks of our long history as a technological species."
- William Gibson
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| Robot Pope | ||
| An artificially intelligent robotic cardinal ascends to the Throne of St. Peter. |
It can often be difficult to choose a new pope; factions within the Vatican argue with passion. Sometimes, a compromise candidate is the only answer.
| "If he's elected," says Rabbi Mueller, "he plans an immediate time-sharing agreement with the Dalai Lama and a reciprocal plug-in with the head programmer of the Greek Orthodox church, just for starters..."
"What does he look like?" Miss Harshaw asks. Rabbi Mueller removes his sunglasses... "I can tell you that his Eminency is tall and distinguished, with a fine voice and a gentle smile..." "But he's mounted on wheels, isn't he?" Kenneth persists. "On treads," replies the rabbi, giving Kenneth a fiery, devastating look. "Treads, like a tractor has. But I don't think treads are spiritually inferior to feet, or, for that matter, to wheels..." |
| Technovelgy from Good News From the Vatican,
by Robert Silverberg. Published by Unknown in 1971 Additional resources -
|
Some people hope that a robot pope will encourage technologically-minded young people to join the Church.
Compare to the clericomotor from The Clericomotor (1884) by an anonymous author, the padre booth from Galactic Pot-Healer (1960) by Philip K. Dick and the proselytizing robot from Cities in Flight (1951) by James Blish.
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More Ideas
and Technology from Good News From the Vatican
More Ideas
and Technology by Robert Silverberg
Tech news articles related to Good News From the Vatican
Tech news articles related to works by Robert Silverberg
Robot Pope-related
news articles:
- Robot 'Minister' Performs Wedding Ceremony
- I-Fairy Robot Minister Performs Wedding Ceremony
- Texas Couple Married By Computer
- Robots Converse, But Should They Count In A Minyan?
- Minister Wants To Convert Artificial Intelligences To Christianity
- BlessU-2 Robot Priest Celebrates 500th Reformation Anniversary
| Robot Clerks Become A Reality In China |
| Atlas Robot Makes Uncomfortable Movements |
| Humanoid Robots Tickle The Ivories |
| Golf Ball Test Robot Wears Them Out |
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'...there's a narrow belt where the climate is moderate.'
'He wore spectacles with thick wavy lenses. The spectacles were intended to make him not only half blind, but to give him whanging headaches besides.'
'... with the Master-operator all you have to do is push one! A remarkable achievement!'
'Not like me. A T-1000, advanced prototype. A mimetic poly-alloy. Liquid metal.'
'It was riddled with holes that were the mouths of tunnels.'
'The massive feet working the pedals, arms and hands flashing and glinting...'
