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"One could imagine a very ascetic sort of life ... where the body is ignored. This is something I've played with in my books, where people hate to be reminded sometimes that they have bodies, they find it very slow and tedious."
- William Gibson
 |
| 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
| Proof Of Robothood - Not A Person |
| Dancing Robots Taught Dance Moves |
| Factory Humanoid Robots Built By Humanoid Robots |
| Mornine Sales Robot |
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'The leg was to function, in a way, as a servo-mechanism operated by Larry’s brain...'
'The observation vehicle was of that peculiar variety used in conveying a large number of people across rough terrain.'
'The real border was defended by... a swarm of quasi-independent aerostats.'
'I ... set my automatic astronomical instruments to searching for a habitable planet.'
'...haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?'
