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"Does it open a new horizon for my thinking? Does it lead me to think new kinds of thoughts, that I would not otherwise perhaps have thought at all? These qualities are what [make] science fiction ...unique."
- Frederik Pohl
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| Robopsychologist | ||
| One who examines the thought processes of robots. |
As far as I know, Asimov invented the words "robopsychologist" and "robopsychology" and was the first to construct a story with such a character
| Lanning swiveled about in his chair and faced Calvin, “You’ll have to tackle the job from the other direction. You’re the robopsychologist of the plant, so you’re to study the robot itself and work backwards. Try to find out how he ticks. See what else is tied up with his telepathic powers, how far they extend, how they warp his outlook, and just exactly what harm it has done to his ordinary RB properties. You’ve got that?”
Lanning didn't wait for Dr. Calvin to answer. Susan Calvin answered with a barely perceptible nod, but her eyes followed him out of sight and she did not answer when Lanning grunted and said, “Do you want to go up and see RB 34 now, Dr. Calvin?” |
| Technovelgy from Liar,
by Isaac Asimov. Published by Astounding Science Fiction in 1941 Additional resources -
|
Dr. Calvin goes to see RB 34:
“I’ve brought you the texts upon hyperatomic motors, Herbie — a few anyway. Would you care to look at them?”
This quote contains the word "robopsychology":
The other snorted loudly, “So I’ve heard. But Calvin had better stick to robopsychology. I’ve checked Herbie on math, and he can scarcely struggle through calculus.”
RB 34’s photoelectric eyes lifted from the book at the muffled sound of hinges turning and he was upon his feet when Susan Calvin entered.
She paused to readjust the huge “No Entrance” sign upon the door and then approached the robot with a friendly smile.
(The Robopsychologist from 'Liar!' by Isaac Asimov)
“Has Calvin told you about the robot. It’s a mathematical genius. Really remarkable.”
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Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from Liar
More Ideas
and Technology by Isaac Asimov
Tech news articles related to Liar
Tech news articles related to works by Isaac Asimov
Robopsychologist-related
news articles:
- AI Welfare Position At Anthropic Filled By Human
- Grok Scores Best In Psychological Tests
| Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing Runs With His G1 Robot Army |
| Blue Collar AI Goes To Work To Mine Its Own Crypto |
| HandelBot Helps Two-Handed Robots Learn Piano |
| Woven Fiber Electronic Skin For Robots |
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'It was a pushpot, which could not possibly be called a jet plane because it could not possibly fly. Only it did.'
'She wouldn't stop until Antar had told her everything he knew about whatever it was that she was playing with on her screen.'
'Does thinking you're the last sane man on the face of the Earth make you crazy?'
'It hurtled on down with inconceivable speed until it was visible as thousands of tiny robot planes...'
'Then she looked up with a smile and moved closer to the camera.'
'... folios and tapes and playable discs of platinum alloy.'
'... another corner of his mind began to think about the shields.'
