Caves of Steel

After starting this novel I wanted to see if someone had created a Caves of Steel comic because in my head I picture a dramatic, cheesy, black and white detective comic strip but instead I found this. Though this is pretty different than what I was expecting, I thought it was fun and wanted to share it.

Obsolete humans

Since last class, I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of people feeling useless or inadequate when being compared to robots (especially in the work field). While doing research online I came across a bunch of forums that discuss that topic. This is one of those photos I found:
 

It’s interesting to see that some of the underlying reasons for people in the novel disliking robots translates into real life. I always believed that technology helped us become more efficient at completely tasks but this is definitely an interesting perspective to consider.

Elijah

Does the class still think that Elijah has no character development? I think hes changed a lot since the beginning especially after meeting Dr. Fastolfe (120).

How can we be sure?

Reflection on Chapter 8: Debate Over a Robot

            Per our last class meeting and the discussion on how someone cannot give 110% of the time if they are humans, I would like to disagree. As this is a reflection post, I am going to make a big statement, with an accusation and beginning sentences like “I think” and “I feel”. 

I feel like maybe we as a society are closer to a future with robots than we might assume. Yes, there is Siri, Google Home, and Alexa; but how we explain three-time Oscar winning actress Meryl Streep? Believe me, I know how it sounds, but just like Baley debating R. Daneel’s prowess and humanity, let’s look at the facts.

How is Meryl Streep so good at doing accents? Just like Daneel is built with a strong circuit embedded with an affection for justice, maybe Mamma Mia’s star was similarly built with a strong background in foreign accents, musical talent, anddance. How do we explain her ability to go from acting as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Oscar winning film The Iron Ladyand somehow also finding breadth of ability to embody one of the main leads in cult classic Death Becomes Heropposite Bruce Willis and Goldie Hawn? Remember when Meryl Streep played a rabbi in full costume in Angels in Americain 2004? How about her rendition of Julia Child in Julie & Julia? How can we be so sure that robots are not among us with such a talented and fabulous actress truly giving us 110% of herself? Has Meryl Streep truly ever taken a bad photo?

Let’s look closer at the stats. With an honorary degree from Harvard University, 389 nominations (21 being Academy Awards, 23 being Golden Globes), and 156 wins. The numbers speak for themselves, but I’ll let you decide.

R. Meryl Streep attending the Golden Globes in 2017

(https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/586ea92c89153df71a074cad/master/pass/t-Meryl-Streep-First-Golden-Globes-Dress.jpg)

Fan Fiction!

Nice Guy Elijah (A Monologue)

A Fan Fiction for Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov

            My name is Elijah Baley and I will be open minded and understanding. It will make my character much more fun to read and then I will be more relative to the reader. I am going to meet my robotic partner today! Wow! Robots! I am very fortunate to live in a society where we all have enough food to survive and I don’t work in yeast mines. I have a son and he also enjoys robots. I also have a wife who I won't say negative things about! She's great! We are not judgmental towards robots as they are here to benefit us.

            I am heading down a tunnel that turns a lot now. The Spacers built it like that because there used to be riots. Now there aren’t any riots and man that’s great. I am gonna solve this murder case and (hopefully) get a promotion. I won’t have to stand when I ride the conveyor belts anymore!

            I hope I don’t have to take any examinations to be able to get out of this tunnel. Let me get my ID, this looks like the guard.

            Oh! This is not a guard. This is a robot! This is my new partner and he looks nearly human! His name is Daneel that’s a great name! Technology is getting crazy nowadays. I am fortunate to have such a high functioning partner for this case and will stay open minded and not grimace or be miserable during the first section of this journey.

On a serious note, why is Elijah so cranky in this novel? Did that grate on anyone while reading? Did Asimov mean to write this character this way?

Asimov and I discussing Elijah

(https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1380402633ra/782727.gif)

Delicious Deja Vu

For those of you who haven’t already heard me rant about it, there’s this book series and accompanying TV adaptation called “The Expanse” that I’m a huge fan of. The premise of the series, at least for book/season 1, is that Earth, Mars and the asteroid belt are all competing for the dwindling resources that remain in the solar system. In the midst of this political tension, a detective from the Belt and his partner from Earth investigate a murder that is connected to a series of events that has the potential to change the fate of Earth and its colonies forever. As you can probably guess, the creators of this story were heavily inspired by Asimov’s work. While there are many differences as well, “Caves of Steel” feels familiar enough for me to be well-disposed to it, but also new and fresh enough to be intruiging despite the fact that it came out long before I was born. I think there’s a degree to which Asimov’s work deals with concepts that are persistent throughout history, and that’s why the way in which “The Expanse” mirrors it is so successful. In a lot of science fiction, there are aliens or robots or whatever trying to destroy humanity. But while robots do exist in “Caves of Steel”, the real threat is ultimately found in the way humans find themselves at odds with each other. I think one of the things that appeals to me most about these works is that there is an underlying sense that the greatest threat to humanity is itself.