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"In science fiction one can say a great many things that are unpalatable, … because it's expressed as science fiction you can slip it past their defenses."
- Frederik Pohl
 |
| Artificial Friend | ||
| An android companion for a child. |
| ‘Mom. Klara’s the one I want. I don’t want any other.’
‘One moment, Josie.’ Then she asked Manager: ‘Every Artificial Friend is unique, right?’ ‘That’s correct, ma’am. And particularly so at this level.’ ‘So what makes this one unique? This…Klara?’ ‘Klara has so many unique qualities, we could be here all morning. But if I had to emphasize just one, well, it would have to be her appetite for observing and learning. Her ability to absorb absorb and blend everything she sees around her is quite amazing. As a result, she now has the most sophisticated understanding of any AF in this store, B3s not excepted.’ |
| Technovelgy from Klara and the Sun,
by Kazuo Ishiguro. Published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2021 Additional resources -
|
Not everyone could afford an artificial friend:
See also androide from Cyclopaedia (1727) by Ephraim Chambers.
the robot baby from Life Everlasting (1934) by David H. Keller,
the robotic infiltrator from Second Variety (1953) by Philip K. Dick,
the robot brother from Brother Robot (1958) by Henry Slesar,
the android son from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long (1969) by Brian Aldiss and the Purza the Pukha from The Rowan (1990) by Anne McCaffrey.
‘Klara, you’re quite remarkable,’ Manager said, keeping her voice soft so as not to disturb Rosa and the others. ‘You notice and absorb so much.’ She shook her head as though in wonder. Then she said: ‘What you must understand is that we’re a very special store. There are many children out there who would love to be able to choose you, choose Rosa, any one of you here. But it’s not possible for them. You’re beyond their reach. That’s why they come to the window, to dream about having you. But then they get sad.’
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More Ideas
and Technology from Klara and the Sun
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and Technology by Kazuo Ishiguro
Tech news articles related to Klara and the Sun
Tech news articles related to works by Kazuo Ishiguro
Artificial Friend-related
news articles:
- Companion Caregiver ChatGPT Dolls
| ChatGPT Now Participates in Group Chats |
| 'AI Assistants' Are Actually Less Reliable For News |
| Will AIs Give Better Results If You're Rude To Them? |
| Chinese Tokamak Uses AI To Keep Fusion Plasma Stable |
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'... oblongs were all over the floor and surfaces.'
'If you're one of those rarities who haven't attended a rocket-polo "carnage", let me tell you it's a colorful affair.'
'They filed clumsily into the battleroom, like children in a swimming pool for the first time, clinging to the handholds along the side.'
'a walking balloon proceeded with long strides of its aluminum legs...'
'There was nowhere on the planet where science and technology could not provide one with a comfortable home...'
