Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Latest By
Category:
Armor
Artificial
Intelligence
Biology
Clothing
Communication
Computers
Culture
Data Storage
Displays
Engineering
Entertainment
Food
Input Devices
Lifestyle
Living Space
Manufacturing
Material
Media
Medical
Miscellaneous
Robotics
Security
Space Tech
Spacecraft
Surveillance
Transportation
Travel
Vehicle
Virtual
Person
Warfare
Weapon
Work
"Modern science fiction is the only form of literature that consistently considers the nature of the changes that face us, the possible consequences, and the possible solutions."
- Isaac Asimov
 |
| Circuit Inhibiting Destructiveness | ||
| Ensuring that robots take on the responsibility of pleasing their masters, and obeying their orders. |
| NICK CAME BACK to “consciousness” abruptly. “How do you feel?” Dex asked. There was a brass screw in his hand.
Nick gave an experimental wriggle. “Wonderful,” he said in his toneless voice. He wriggled again. “Yes, wonderful. I can hardly believe it. What did you do?” "...It’s like having been dry for years and then suddenly getting all the oil in the world.” Nick began to walk up and down the room jerkily. “I can’t tell you how much better I feel Dex,” he said. (Since what Dex had really done was to unscrew the two main circuits which inhibit destructiveness in a robot, whether toward itself, toward other robots, or toward masters, no wonder Nick felt better. Along with his inhibition, he had shed his anxiety.) “I could cope with a dozen masters now. Why should I let him do something I don’t like?” |
| Technovelgy from To Please The Master,
by Margaret St. Clair. Published by Space Travel in 1958 Additional resources -
|
No wonder "repairs to robots except in licensed repair shops on written request of the master are strictly forbidden."
*Spoiler*!
For a moment they danced together, hand and hand, around the flames. Then, each holding a screwdriver, the roll of tools stuck in Nick’s belt, they started out on their mission of salvation.
“We’ll fix every robot in the world!” said Nick. “No more trouble with masters!”
“And how!” cried the old robot. That was the beginning of the Robot Wars.
Compare to the much better known restraining bolt from Star Wars (1976) by George Lucas.
('To Please The Master' by Margaret St. Clair)
Comment/Join this discussion ( 0 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This |
Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from To Please The Master
More Ideas
and Technology by Margaret St. Clair
Tech news articles related to To Please The Master
Tech news articles related to works by Margaret St. Clair
| Satyress Centaur Robot Horror Reminds Everyone Of Something |
| Pole-Dancing Stripperbot Robot |
| VaMEx Biomimetic Mars Robot Inspired By Skink |
| DIY Robotic Content Farming |
Want to Contribute an
Item?
It's easy:
Get the name of the item, a
quote, the book's name and the author's name, and Add
it here.
| <Previous | Next> |
|
|
|
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Science Fiction Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
|
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
'The king, an old hand in the running of tyrannies, instantly grasped the directions...'
'...a hemispherical force field enclosing his head.'
'Then he became aware of a gentle pressure pushing him away from the ship.'
'And now they wre busily transforming all their companions, and so on, and so on...'
'Why, a clockwork dancer, or, better still, one that would go by electricity and never run down...'
'Maybe the individual intelligence of each Cubic pools into a group intelligence...'
