Art Tsao

ENGL112B

Warner

Robots and Humans

Science fiction has never been seriously considered as an educational tool, but it is a genre that could conceivably be the greatest one. Science fiction encompasses all the genres that are out there today: science fiction mysteries, science fiction romance, science fiction adventure, etc. What can be learned from science fiction allows readers to immediately make connections to their own life or society. History, religion, morality, ecology, social skills, and a whole slew of other topics are pulled from the past and present of human civilization and then expanded with the author�s imagination. Perhaps it is this sense of detachment, the idea of being able to do things that are seemingly impossible that turns off educators from seeing its true value.

Due to the great scope of science fiction, I have chosen to concentrate on one of the greatest questions posed by science fiction: what makes humans human? Is it simply the ability to speak or our ability for critical analysis? Or is it the ability to feel empathy? While it is easy to discern the difference between say, a human and a chimpanzee, the line becomes harder to see with an entity that looks, speaks, and thinks the same way we do. Robots have been created and seem completely well, alien to us, but are they as different from us as we think?

The moral, ethical and psychological aspect of humans in science fiction is also beneficial to adolescents. It forces them to think about the future and what-ifs; it allows teenagers to both make sense of what is going on around them and at the same time provide them with alternative views. These books that delve into the psyche of human actions and the idea that robots can be just as human as humans will give adolescents new ways to live, think, and even behave.

The books listed below provide most recent publication dates and original publication dates in parentheses.

Asimov, Isaac. I, Robot. New York: Bantam Books, 1994. (1950)

In this anthology of short stories involving a robot that has gone mad to a politician who may or may not be a robot, Asimov sets The Three Rules for robots that define their purpose.

A well-known book, I, Robot gives adolescents a unique perspective to robots and their difference�if any, to humans. By reading stories about robots that act and react the same way humans do, it will drastically alter the adolescent�s view on human actions.

Card, Orson Scott. Speaker for the Dead. New York: Tor Books, 1994.

The sequel to Card�s great Ender�s Game continues the tale of Andrew Wiggin, who has written a story about the Formics, who he wiped out in the last book. There is now a movement known as Speakers for the Dead who, upon being hired, research and speak for the deceased to bring understanding of that person. After the supposed xenocide of the Formics, Andrew now lives on a colony thought to be the only remaining planet with intelligent life.

This novel deals with the difficult relationship between the humans and the pequeninos, and questions the civility of humanity.

Clarke, Arthur C. 2001: A Space Odyssey. New York: Roc, 2000. (1968)

Humans find a monolithic slab on the moon, first signs of intelligent life. Flash forward 18 months to the spaceship Discovery One, where astronauts are on the way to Saturn, guided by their computer, HAL 9000. What discovery awaits them?

This book will provide another way of looking at evolution as well as provide insight on the perils of technology. Also, the actions of HAL9000 question the ever-present problem of being human.

Clarke, Arthur C. Childhood�s End. New York: Ballantine Books, 1987. (1953)

Childhood�s End is a novel about the transformation of human society from individuals into a hive mentality. It begins when a an alien species known as the Overlords contacts Earth and announce their desire to help mankind, doing so by ending the arms race and colonialism. Soon after, they reveal their purpose to integrate humans into a higher plane of existence by merging with the Overmind.

Like 2001, this novel revolves around an evolution into a higher form of being. The sacrifice of creativity and freedom to become a perfect, utopian society becomes a conflict point for the characters as well.

Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner). New York: Random House Publishing Group, 1987. (1968)

In 2021, World War Terminus has wiped out species and forced mankind to relocate off-planet. Realistic copies of living creatures have been built by companies, including androids. These androids, sick of slavery to humans on Mars, flee to Earth for a better life, even though remaining governments have banned them. Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter who must hunt down fugitive androids.

Humanity versus non-humanity is rampant in this novel, as well as the divisions between hierarchies of life. It would be possible to link the idea of indistinguishable androids with that of humans who have committed atrocities�such as the idea that they were monsters in human form.

Herbert, Frank. Dune. New York: Ace Books, 2003. (1965)

Paul Atreides, young heir to House Atreides has moved to Arrakis, the only source of spice, a valuable and rare mineral. Here, he encounters politics, religion, fate, and human emotions in a battle that will change the course of humanity.

Comic book heroes are popular among adolescent males, and Dune brings into question the consequences of superpowers. It also questions whether one can still be a human with god-like powers.

Dick, Philip K. We Can Build You. New York: Knopf Publishing Group, 1994. (1972)

In the then-future of 1982, Louis Rosen�s company produces �mood organs� that simulate the senses, and androids based on famous civil war figures. However, things go awry due to the epidemic of schizophrenia.

The idea of being able to simulate sensory response deals with human emotions and human nature, as well as normality. This, in addition to the androids, addresses the issue of sentience. Louis� battle with schizophrenia, though slightly disturbing, provides keen insight into the human psyche.

The Matrix. Dir. The Wachowski Brothers. Perfs. Keanu Reeves, Lawrence Fishburne. Film. Warner Bros. Pictures, 1999.

In the near future, computer hacker Thomas �Neo� Anderson lives what he thinks is a normal life�until the enigmatic Morpheus contacts him. Neo soon learns the horrors of reality and joins in the fight against humanity�s artificial captors.

Even though humans are now nothing more than power plants for machines, they still possess the ability to think and feel in the artificially created world built for them. Are they then, still human? Is it better to live a life of ignorance than to be in the bitter world of reality?

Equilibrium. Dir. Kurt Wimmer. Perfs. Christian Bale, Emily Watson. Film. Dimension Films, 2002.

A strict regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions through drugs and banning books, art, and music. When Cleric John Preston, an enforcer of the regime�s laws, accidentally forgets a dosage of Prozium, the emotion-hindering drug, he slowly realizes the beauty of feeling. Once a servant of the government, Preston becomes the only one who can overthrow it.

Like Childhood�s End, Equilibrium is a world of emotionless, hive-minded people who believe they are on the path to a supposed utopia. However, is it worth sacrificing human emotions for the sake of world peace?