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"What we're doing pop culturally is like burning the rain forest. The biodiversity of pop culture is really, really in danger."
- William Gibson

Robot Rights  
  Should robots have the rights of men?  

This is perhaps the earliest direct reference to the idea that robots should have the same rights as people. In addition, since this is an autonomous robot, it must have some sort of artificial intelligence animating the machine.

The law officer gasped. "Well — uh — " He began again, lamely. "But this is different! This robot is a moving, li — no, not living — but anyway — uh — it's a creature, and — " He was too muddled by the sudden change of concept to go on.

Tom Link smiled. I suddenly perceived that he was a very clever young man. He had planned this trap! "Right, sheriff," he said quickly. "This robot is a creature. It is not an animal, for animals don't talk. It is a manlike being. Therefore, like any other talking, thinking man, he is entitled to a court trial!"


('The Trial of Adam Link, Robot (1939) by Eando Binder)

The sheriff tried to remonstrate, but Tom hustled him out, and the other men with him. "If you want to continue prosecution of Adam Link, the intelligent robot," was Tom's parting shot, "come back with a warrant of arrest!"

Technovelgy from The Trial of Adam Link, Robot, by Eando Binder.
Published by Amazing Stories in 1939
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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from The Trial of Adam Link, Robot
  More Ideas and Technology by Eando Binder
  Tech news articles related to The Trial of Adam Link, Robot
  Tech news articles related to works by Eando Binder

Robot Rights-related news articles:
  - Should AIs and AI Robots Demand Rights?

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It's A Giant Robot! You Reporters Have Been Warned!
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Robot Bees 3D Printed By Festo

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Science Fiction Timeline
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1900-1939
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Science Fiction in the News

'If Anyone Is Watching Earth...'
'Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilization.'

Epirus High-Power Microwave Defeats Drones
'...the spreading beam of the deranging ray struck them, and Then one toppled and fell. Then another.'

Cloud Of Space Rubbish From China's Long March Rocket
'Within seconds the material was spread out over fifty yards, in a matter of hours it might occupy several cubic miles of space...'

Biomimetic Tendons From Rochu Robotics
'... the curious parallelism to animal motions.'

Living Human Neuron Biological Compute Rack
'The men are dead, but their acquired wisdom lives on and I am the beneficiary.'

Martha Stewart Approves Ojai 'Living Room On Wheels'
'Young people found the driverless car admirable for petting.'

ESA's Draco To Study Heat Of Reentry
'...a synthetic which air-friction would erode.'

Buy A Galaxy? Maybe Start Smaller
'The sky is the limit' just got higher.

The United States Space Academy Is Official
'Is our orbit to Space Academy clear?'

Is There A Global Problem With Who Is Having Children?
'After twenty generations of shillyshallying...'

More SF in the News

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