DULL TASKS ARE THE DOMINANT THEME

By Ben Greenman

from forthcoming collection, as yet untitled

What do robots read? Fewer editions of The Bolt Companion, perhaps, fewer intriguing tales of metal barrels and dials and animating sparks of electricity than humans suppose. It would not be right to judge by such books as Anson-8’s Palletizing Calisthenics or David-118’s Six Electromechanically Driven Axes. Both are intended for simple robots, and in the end are little more than guidebooks for servitude. Nor by Antia-10’s Inverse Kinematic Verse in the Attic, itself advised for semi-autonomous robots with fixed arms. Throughout all these volumes, the mechanical aspects of the robot, rather than the emotional ones, are unfortunately emphasized. Speech synthesis is mentioned repeatedly, but the deeper meaning of speech not a single time. Continuous refueling using organic materials features in at least two books, but there is no thought given to the implications of what would, in human terms, be considered immortality. Factories, packaging, and other dull tasks are the dominant themes, and they are sold as a kind of satisfying obedience. Cobots are privileged without any justification. Throughout, an authenticity of thought and soulfulness of purpose are missing. And individuality is too often lampooned. Two books alone seem worth preserving. The first is A Mobile Robot Contemplates a Conflict (Herbert Brothers, $15.95), with a well-drawn scenario of a military engagement. Cronin-11’s forty illustrations, precise and intricate, retain their sense of humor and elevate the proceedings.  The second book—also no novelty—is the new edition of Oakley-12-1’s Swarm Robots, Not To Be Denied (Walker & Wind, $25.95). This is a large-format volume, cheap at the price, with splendid photographs of buzzing clouds of robots blackening the sky, taken by the robot photographer Daisy-9. Oakley-12-1’s fiery prose and Daisy-9’s unique sense of composition make an excellent match.