The idea of creating imitations of ourselves has always fascinated us humans. In Greek mythology, the sculptor Pygmalion brought his statue Galatea to life. Ancient Chinese scholar Daoxuan spoke of creating “metallic people” to weep when the Buddha died. The humanoid Golem haunted medieval dreams. So, why the fascination? Because, in the end, whether they’re good or evil, sexy or sweet, robots are a reflection of Us. (P.S. Don’t miss the quotes below the picture gallery)
Click on any image to enlarge it, or to begin slide show.
“It doesn’t matter whether there’s blood in your veins or hydraulic fluid, it’s everyone’s right to be free.” ~W.H. Mitchell
“You can’t be rude to a coffee grinder and only an idiot would thank it for pulverizing beans. But you…probably should unplug it if it doesn’t shut up.” ~Andrew Smith
“We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.” ~Stephen Hawking
“Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.” ~Alexis Carrel
“Nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” ~C.S. Lewis
“Neither Man nor machine can replace its creator.” ~Tapan Ghosh
“I am not afraid of robots. I am afraid of people, people. I want them to remain human.” ~Ray Bradbury
Ahh! So true
‘Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor’
At 80, I keep becoming more robotic. Shoe inserts. digital hearing aids, lenses from cataract surgery, dental crowns, CPAP nightly. The list goes on. Hey, I have a pulse.
Face it, Bob, you’re a cyborg! ;>)
You’ve got that right, Mitch. .
Thanks, Mitch! The timing of this post for me is especially apt, having just seen MURDERBOT. More importantly, you’re so right to note our robot preoccupation over years (and genres). I’m wondering now about the Golem.
Are you familiar with it? The Golem originated in medieval Jewish folklore.
Gee thanks, Mitch. Now I’m wondering if some of the people around me are human or humanoid. A few I’m rather sure are humanoid, but not too scary. Love the quotes though. A bit frightening looking at a few of the pictures though.
A strange new world indeed, Angie.
C. S. Lewis hits the mark-so true! The robot playing soccer goalie was hysterical. Thanks, Mitch. 🙂
My pleasure, Nancy.
It will be interesting when AI and robotics merge if they haven’t already.
They have, Tony. Robotics companies started incorporating AI as soon as it became available.
Excellent curation of quotes! I’m with Ray Bradbury on wanting people to remain human.
Me too, Liz.
Nice post; nice quotes
Thanks, L.G.
Love the Matt Dixon illustrations.
Me too, Bob!
I never knew a robot could be so endearing!
There are some pretty adorable ones here, aren’t there, BoB?
Love the Lewis and Bradbury quotes! The robots kind of creep me out a bit (except R2D2!)
Mitch, have you ever read “I, Robot” by Isaac Asimov? It’s a collection of short stories about robots. I read it many years ago, before the use of robots in manufacturing became a common thing. Of course, those robots don’t look like human beings… but the idea of a “robot race” of beings has stuck in the back of my mind ever since reading that book, and I’ve seen a few science fiction movies featuring robot characters in the years since then. I wonder if I am the only one still pondering that question.
Oh, I’m sure you’re not the only one pondering that question, my Anonymous friend.
gosh you explained so good
Interesting 🤔
Love the quotes …..
Wanting people to remain human
👏👏
I hope I’m not the only “idiot” who thanks machines for doing what they were designed to do. I constantly use the voice command on my phone to help me spell something or look something up, and then thank it. 🙂 Love the quotes!
;>)
I found your post extremely interesting.
I really enjoyed the images you shared and the precious quotes you selected.
Delighted to hear that, Luisa.
Thank you so much for your kind reply!
💯❤️ Have a nice Sunday 🌈🌞🌹
You too, PK.
Wonderful post with great quotes 👍
Thank you, Friedrich.
Computer controlled friends. …brobots!
;>)
Oof! Mitch…the Stephen Hawking quote? Wow. New to me but SO on point.
Another one comes to mind that goes the other way. A Twilight Zone episode from 1962, based on a short story from 1950– To Serve Man. . The humans come to trust these alien beings until it’s too late – when they realize ‘we are food, not friends’ so to speak.
I remember it well. A classic episode.