THE ROBOT REVOLUTION

Introduction

Robots! Chatbots! Artificial Intelligence! Machine Learning! New Technology! What is the world coming to?

It’s coming to the Robot Revolution. That’s what it’s coming to. And how will we react when we see more and more robots in our daily life?  Will we love them and want to marry them as Scott does in “Marrying Zelda”? Or want to hold a funeral for them when they break down and die as Frederick does in “Burying Ambrose”? Maybe some people will want to kidnap them as Francis and his sidekick do in “A Robot’s Ransom.” Others, no doubt, will want to elect them to the state legislature as happens in “Vote for Zandu.” Or at least give them the right to vote as in “Proposition 29.”

Some people will probably hate them and try to get rid of them as Harold does in “Harold’s Robot Companion.” Others will be driven to distraction by robotic stupidity like Mr. Hemming in “The Office of Vital Statistics.” A few people like Jimmy in “Baxter” might find their robot companions are telling them what to eat, what to wear, and whom to date.

It’s not just robots. All kinds of new technology is rushing toward us. When self-driving cars are everywhere, will anyone know how to operate the old-fashioned, human-driven cars? That’s what happens when the family has to get Granny to the hospital in the city, and a tree has fallen on the autonomous car in “If It Ain’t One Thing.”

And chatbots! Don’t get me started on chatbots! In “The Internet of Things” Amazon Alexa catches Stella’s husband in some hanky panky with the next-door neighbor. In “The Diamond Bracelet” Miriam uses Alexa to guilt her husband into buying her the jewelry. The narrator of “A Real Girl” falls in love with Gwen, whom he talks to only online. I can’t tell you anymore. You’ll have to read it for yourself.

Yes, the Robot Revolution is around the corner. I hope this book will help you prepare for it.

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