"Jokes of
the proper kind, properly told, can do more to enlighten questions of politics,
philosophy, and literature than any number of dull arguments." -Isaac
Asimov
Today I'm sharing about a short story found in Issac Asimov's I,
ROBOT (Spectra, Adult). Disclaimer: I've read only that one story in the book. The short story I'm referring to is EVIDENCE, a tale about political mudslinging before a mayoral election. (Here I am, discussing political mudslinging during a presidential
election year...) In the story, a lawyer named Stephen Byerley is running
for mayor. A political rival accuses Stephen, who has never been seen eating or
drinking, of being a robot. And robots, by law, cannot run for political
office. When Stephen demonstrates that he can eat an apple, a robopsychologist wonders if he is simply a robot with a built-in stomach.
To
further prove that Stephen is human, there must be evidence of him harming another human
because robots, by their own law, cannot harm humans. When Stephen is giving a
campaign speech out in public, a man challenges him to hit him. So Stephen
strikes him and proves he is human. After Stephen is elected mayor, the
robopsychologist visits him. She tells him that
his political rival believed Robot Stephen took his intelligence from The
Real Stephen, once severely injured in car accident. Stephen reminds her that
he harmed a human, something robots cannot do. The robopsychologist reminds him about the law's loophole, which is that a robot can hit another
robot masquerading as a human. Maybe the heckler Stephen
hit was his plant. Then she leaves.
The short story doesn't reveal whether Stephen is indeed a robot or a human. If he is indeed a human, his promise to protect the rights of humans accused of being a robot makes him seem noble. But if he is a robot serving in a public office meant for a human, that very claim could mean that he is using deceit to serve the interests of robots. So I don't know what to make of this protagonist.
Have you read EVIDENCE? How would you react if you found out that an elected public official you either like or don't like is actually a robot?
21 comments:
I have not read Evidence, but it sounds like a very interesting premise. I can't see how a robot could do worse than some of the humans in public office :)
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Sounds like an interesting idea for a story. It would be interesting to find out a politician is a robot, especially in this weird election season.
New to me too, but then so is Asimov. I must widen my reading list.
It could go either way.
Ironic he would be elected even after hitting someone though.
Sounds like a great idea for a story. Robots couldn't do any worse as a politician.
This sounds like a really good read, and I like the idea of the open ending so you can decide for yourself. Honestly, I don't think a robot could do any worse that the current politicians
Debbie
I haven't read this one. But I think I will now. Thanks for the recommendation.
@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
I wonder if robots wouldn't do a better job than some of the people we have in office today!
There are some people whom I could learn were robots and it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
This is the second post about "I, Robot" that I've read today. Speaks of the quolity of the book, doesn't it?
I read "I, Robot" so many years ago I remember very little. I just know I really loved Asimov's world and his invention, I read a few of his Robot and also his Foundation books. Really enjoyed them :-)
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz
Wow, that's a great story. Sounds like it could be a Outer Limits episode. Which is one of my favourite classic sci.fi. series.
I have not read Evidence. Seems quite interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I haven't read Evidence but it does sound interesting. Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
@mzbull from
Witt Bits
MZ Bull
I haven't read Evidence but it does sound interesting. Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
@mzbull from
Witt Bits
MZ Bull
What a fascinating tale.
I haven't read it, but from your description it sounds like it's not so much about robots and humans, but about the difficulty of proving a negative. For every test he passed, they just set up alternate explanations and new hurdles. Real-life people also get caught in such no-win situations!
I've never read Evidence, but that's a good conundrum. That's like the one about a liar and non liar and which is which.
Liz A. from
Laws of Gravity
Been a long time since I've read Asimov. I need to go to the library and get one of his books.
What @JazzFeathers said. Two posts about I, Robot? Must be time to dig it out of the dustbin and read!
I haven't read this one-but it does sound intriguing! Thanks for sharing! I am making a list :D
I have not read any of Isaac Asimov's stories. I did watch I, Robot and the robot laws are very thought-provoking.
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