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Bionic Jean's Reviews > I, Robot: The science fiction classic
I, Robot: The science fiction classic
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I, Robot is a science fiction novel by the American writer Isaac Asimov, published in 1950. It is a compilation of nine loosely linked short stories, with a framing story to tie them together. Ray Bradbury was also to follow this technique a year later with “The Illustrated Man� in 1951, using mostly stories which had appeared in niche magazines. Isaac Asimov’s stories in I, Robot had all originally appeared in the American magazines “Astounding Science Fiction� and “Super Science Stories� between 1940 and 1950, before he then reassembled them, writing connecting passages, to present this first collection of robot stories. The word “rDzdz� had first been introduced to the public by the Czech writer Karel Čapek, in his 1920 play ...� (Rossum’s Universal Robots).
The frame story of I, Robot features Dr. Susan Calvin, the chief “rDzDZ⳦DZDz� at “U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Incorporated�, who are the major manufacturer of robots. It is the 21st century, and Dr. Susan Calvin is now in her 70s, and reminiscing about her experiences for an interview about her life’s work. The narrator is the young reporter who listens and prompts, as Dr. Calvin tells each story. The stories are presented roughly in chronological order, with brief linking comments by her and the interviewer. They are chiefly concerned with various types of atypical and aberrant behaviour of robots, where Dr. Calvin and others use “robopsychology� to work out what is happening in their “positronic brain�.
The idea of a “positronic brain� is an invention by Isaac Asimov himself. It functions as a central processing unit (CPU) for robots, and in some unspecified way, provides them with a form of consciousness recognisable to humans. The very first story he wrote which utilised this idea was Dz�, which I have reviewed separately:
LINK HERE
In 1939, Isaac Asimov had greatly enjoyed a short story “I, Robot� by Eando Binder (a pseudonym used by Earl and Otto Binder), and this had influenced his own robot stories. He said:
“It certainly caught my attention. Two months after I read it, I began ‘Robbie�, about a sympathetic robot, and that was the start of my positronic robot series. Eleven years later, when nine of my robot stories were collected into a book, the publisher named the collection I, Robot over my objections. My book is now the more famous, but Otto’s story was there first.�
Dz� was Isaac Asimov’s very first robot story: a poignant and moving 5 star tale set in the future of 1978. I have also reviewed the second story: ܲԲdzܲԻ� separately, as I feel each deserves its own review:
LINK HERE
This was written in 1941 but set in 2015. I did not enjoy it quite as much, but it was ground-breaking, in that it introduced Isaac Asimov’s “First Law of Robotics� i.e. that a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
The way this is demonstrated is ingenious, and we can recognise it today as an instance where the computer programming has gone wrong, and got stuck in a recurring loop. Unfortunately though, it also introduces two characters to field test the robots: Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan. These testosterone-fuelled clowns detract from three or four of the following stories, with their continual goading and bickering.
The third story: Dz� also merits an individual review:
LINK HERE
Also written in 1941, this is the first ever story to include all of the “Three Laws of Robotics�:
First Law:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
Second Law:
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
Third Law:
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Despite the tiresome duo, the story is enjoyable and thought-provoking. The way the featured robot QT-1 (Cutie) differs here, is in that it appears to think outside the box, questioning and philosophising, and eventually (view spoiler). The way this is explained by the three Laws of Robotics is very neat.
The fourth story “Catch that Rabbit� is like a jokey interlude. It is the third one in this collection to include Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan. This time they are on an asteroid mining station, testing a robot DV-5 (Dave) who has six subsidiary robots, described as “fingers�, under him. (view spoiler) The robot DV-5 is just as puzzled about this as they are, but again, it is explained by the three Laws of Robotics. I feel though that the human psychology is a little wobbly here, and the story includes an excruciating pun as its explanation. First published in 1944 in “Astounding Science Fiction�, this one is missable.
As is the fifth story “L!� which first appeared in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1941. For this story, Dr. Calvin at age 38 is one of 4 scientists working with robot RB-34 (also known as Herbie), who has (view spoiler) The reason for the ending of this story hinges on a paradox, but frankly the human behaviour in this story is not true to life. It is always the novelty and ingenious ideas which make Isaac Asimov’s stories interesting, rather than any deep characterisation, but the way the four scientists behave in this one is absurd. The robot has more in common with human psychology than any of them. Dr. Calvin regards this robot as one of her rare failures, and it is unlikely any scientist would have summarily disregarded professionalism, and a chance to develop scientific knowledge—not to mention the sheer cost of the destruction. If they had behaved in such an hysterical way, it would not be included in any memoirs! A better title might be “VԲԳ�
Despite its drawbacks, “L!� does contain the first recorded use of the word “rDzdzپ�. The story was apparently filmed in 1969 as an episode in the excellent British TV series “Out of the Unknown�, but the episode has since been wiped. This was routine practice for British television at the time.
The sixth story “Little Lost Robot� was also dramatised for British television—oddly enough, for the 1962 series “Out of This World� which was to be developed into “Out of the Unknown�. By sheer fluke, this episode remains extant, although all the other episodes were wiped. The entire series was critically acclaimed, including episodes by John Wyndham, Philip K. Dick, Terry Nation (who went on to create the Daleks) Katherine Maclean, Clifford D. Simak and other exemplary Science Fiction writers. It makes me very glum to think of what has been lost in this series alone.
“Little Lost Robot� is quite a good story, which was first published in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1947. It is set on a military research station on an asteroid, where scientists are working to develop the hyperspace drive. Dr. Susan Calvin is there as the robopsychologist, with the Mathematical Director Peter Bogert, to identify which robot has been adapted out of a group of 63. (view spoiler)
Only Dr. Susan Calvin realises how devastating this could be. After many different approaches, she manages to devise a test to identify the rogue robot.
This story makes use of all three Laws of Robotics, and is one of, if not the first story to use the actual words “Frankenstein Complex�. This is Isaac Asimov’s invented term for “mechanical men� which closely resemble human beings.
(view spoiler)
Elements of “Little Lost Robot� even appeared in the very different film called “I Robot� which was released in 2004. Otherwise however, this screenplay was written as an original story, but based on Isaac Asimov’s Robot concepts and characters.
The seventh story “E� was first published in “Astounding Science Fiction� in 1945, under the title “Paradoxical Escape�. Set a little further in the future, by now there are other research organisations in competition with U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc. They are all working to develop a hyperspatial drive. U.S. Robots have been approached with a financial incentive, but learn that(view spoiler)
Dr. Susan Calvin and her team find a way by which their positronic computer “The Brain� can overcome the problem, but Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan, the engineers who are testing it, have a terrifying experience in the process.
The penultimate story, the eighth one, is called Evidence. It was first published in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1946. It was the only story Isaac Asimov wrote while he was in the United States Army, between November 1945 and July 1946. I like this story very much, with its idea of an ethical politician.
It concerns two opposing candidates for the position of mayor of a major American city: Stephen Byerley, who is a district attorney, and Francis Quinn. Francis Quinn’s campaign is based on a smear campaign, (view spoiler) It soon becomes the only issue in a public campaign. The story is constructed very well, and although I did predict the neat ending, it is a satisfying read. It would make a good film, and indeed Orson Welles did purchase the film rights for “EԳ�, but the film was never made.
The final story “The Evitable Conflict� first appeared in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1950. Written four years later, it moves the previous story on, and closes Dr. Susan Calvin’s reminiscences. We read a rather dull political account of how Earth finally achieved peace, by having far fewer warring countries. Earth is now divided into four geographical regions, each with its own figurehead. However, the decision-making power actually lies with a supercomputer known as the Ա�, which manages its economy. We are now in the year 2052, and Stephen Byerley has continued to gain promotions, until he was elected as World Co-ordinator. This is his second term, but there is a problem. He has called Dr. Susan Calvin to ask her advice, and the story is a consultation between them.
(view spoiler)
The story is a noble one, but rather dry to read, and with a damp squib of an ending. The collection finishes by telling us that Dr. Susan Calvin had died the previous month, at the age of 82.
I am not sure that the frame story was really necessary, and in places it did feel forced, with some repetition. However, it was interesting to read the stories in chronological order as they reflected the evolution of robotics, and its gradual acceptance by humanity. I Robot is a landmark in Science Fiction, because of containing the short story in which Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics first appear. This was to have a far-reaching impact on the concept of ethics of artificial intelligence, and the better stories here do touch on this aspect.
The writing is rather clunky at time, but ideas are paramount in this composite novel. It is astonishing to think that Isaac Asimov was only in his twenties when he wrote these stories and devised the bold and lasting concepts. He was still studying for a further degree in Chemistry, apart from a brief spell in the U.S. Army. A few years later he was to teach biochemistry at University, and eventually stopped doing research, confining his university role to lecturing students. His writing became more important to him, and in the late 1950s he was writing full time, with only an occasional honorary lecture.
Isaac Asimov has left a huge body of work, including nonfiction books and crime novels, but it is for his “Astounding� Science Fiction stories that he is best remembered.
Here is a list of all the stories which make up I Robot:
Robbie
Runaround
Reason
Catch that rabbit
Liar!
Little lost robot
Escape!
Evidence
The evitable conflict
Quotations:
“You can prove anything you want by coldly logical reason—if you pick the proper postulates.�
“A towering cliff of a black, basaltic rock cut off the sunlight, and the deep night shadow of an airless world surrounded them. Before them, the shadow reached out and ended in knife-edge abruptness into an all-but-unbearable blaze of white light, that glittered from myriad crystals along a rocky ground.�
And my favourite, which stresses Isaac Asimov’s emphasis on the essentially benign nature of robots:
“You just can’t differentiate between a robot and the very best of humans.�
The frame story of I, Robot features Dr. Susan Calvin, the chief “rDzDZ⳦DZDz� at “U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Incorporated�, who are the major manufacturer of robots. It is the 21st century, and Dr. Susan Calvin is now in her 70s, and reminiscing about her experiences for an interview about her life’s work. The narrator is the young reporter who listens and prompts, as Dr. Calvin tells each story. The stories are presented roughly in chronological order, with brief linking comments by her and the interviewer. They are chiefly concerned with various types of atypical and aberrant behaviour of robots, where Dr. Calvin and others use “robopsychology� to work out what is happening in their “positronic brain�.
The idea of a “positronic brain� is an invention by Isaac Asimov himself. It functions as a central processing unit (CPU) for robots, and in some unspecified way, provides them with a form of consciousness recognisable to humans. The very first story he wrote which utilised this idea was Dz�, which I have reviewed separately:
LINK HERE
In 1939, Isaac Asimov had greatly enjoyed a short story “I, Robot� by Eando Binder (a pseudonym used by Earl and Otto Binder), and this had influenced his own robot stories. He said:
“It certainly caught my attention. Two months after I read it, I began ‘Robbie�, about a sympathetic robot, and that was the start of my positronic robot series. Eleven years later, when nine of my robot stories were collected into a book, the publisher named the collection I, Robot over my objections. My book is now the more famous, but Otto’s story was there first.�
Dz� was Isaac Asimov’s very first robot story: a poignant and moving 5 star tale set in the future of 1978. I have also reviewed the second story: ܲԲdzܲԻ� separately, as I feel each deserves its own review:
LINK HERE
This was written in 1941 but set in 2015. I did not enjoy it quite as much, but it was ground-breaking, in that it introduced Isaac Asimov’s “First Law of Robotics� i.e. that a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
The way this is demonstrated is ingenious, and we can recognise it today as an instance where the computer programming has gone wrong, and got stuck in a recurring loop. Unfortunately though, it also introduces two characters to field test the robots: Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan. These testosterone-fuelled clowns detract from three or four of the following stories, with their continual goading and bickering.
The third story: Dz� also merits an individual review:
LINK HERE
Also written in 1941, this is the first ever story to include all of the “Three Laws of Robotics�:
First Law:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
Second Law:
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
Third Law:
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Despite the tiresome duo, the story is enjoyable and thought-provoking. The way the featured robot QT-1 (Cutie) differs here, is in that it appears to think outside the box, questioning and philosophising, and eventually (view spoiler). The way this is explained by the three Laws of Robotics is very neat.
The fourth story “Catch that Rabbit� is like a jokey interlude. It is the third one in this collection to include Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan. This time they are on an asteroid mining station, testing a robot DV-5 (Dave) who has six subsidiary robots, described as “fingers�, under him. (view spoiler) The robot DV-5 is just as puzzled about this as they are, but again, it is explained by the three Laws of Robotics. I feel though that the human psychology is a little wobbly here, and the story includes an excruciating pun as its explanation. First published in 1944 in “Astounding Science Fiction�, this one is missable.
As is the fifth story “L!� which first appeared in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1941. For this story, Dr. Calvin at age 38 is one of 4 scientists working with robot RB-34 (also known as Herbie), who has (view spoiler) The reason for the ending of this story hinges on a paradox, but frankly the human behaviour in this story is not true to life. It is always the novelty and ingenious ideas which make Isaac Asimov’s stories interesting, rather than any deep characterisation, but the way the four scientists behave in this one is absurd. The robot has more in common with human psychology than any of them. Dr. Calvin regards this robot as one of her rare failures, and it is unlikely any scientist would have summarily disregarded professionalism, and a chance to develop scientific knowledge—not to mention the sheer cost of the destruction. If they had behaved in such an hysterical way, it would not be included in any memoirs! A better title might be “VԲԳ�
Despite its drawbacks, “L!� does contain the first recorded use of the word “rDzdzپ�. The story was apparently filmed in 1969 as an episode in the excellent British TV series “Out of the Unknown�, but the episode has since been wiped. This was routine practice for British television at the time.
The sixth story “Little Lost Robot� was also dramatised for British television—oddly enough, for the 1962 series “Out of This World� which was to be developed into “Out of the Unknown�. By sheer fluke, this episode remains extant, although all the other episodes were wiped. The entire series was critically acclaimed, including episodes by John Wyndham, Philip K. Dick, Terry Nation (who went on to create the Daleks) Katherine Maclean, Clifford D. Simak and other exemplary Science Fiction writers. It makes me very glum to think of what has been lost in this series alone.
“Little Lost Robot� is quite a good story, which was first published in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1947. It is set on a military research station on an asteroid, where scientists are working to develop the hyperspace drive. Dr. Susan Calvin is there as the robopsychologist, with the Mathematical Director Peter Bogert, to identify which robot has been adapted out of a group of 63. (view spoiler)
Only Dr. Susan Calvin realises how devastating this could be. After many different approaches, she manages to devise a test to identify the rogue robot.
This story makes use of all three Laws of Robotics, and is one of, if not the first story to use the actual words “Frankenstein Complex�. This is Isaac Asimov’s invented term for “mechanical men� which closely resemble human beings.
(view spoiler)
Elements of “Little Lost Robot� even appeared in the very different film called “I Robot� which was released in 2004. Otherwise however, this screenplay was written as an original story, but based on Isaac Asimov’s Robot concepts and characters.
The seventh story “E� was first published in “Astounding Science Fiction� in 1945, under the title “Paradoxical Escape�. Set a little further in the future, by now there are other research organisations in competition with U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc. They are all working to develop a hyperspatial drive. U.S. Robots have been approached with a financial incentive, but learn that(view spoiler)
Dr. Susan Calvin and her team find a way by which their positronic computer “The Brain� can overcome the problem, but Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan, the engineers who are testing it, have a terrifying experience in the process.
The penultimate story, the eighth one, is called Evidence. It was first published in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1946. It was the only story Isaac Asimov wrote while he was in the United States Army, between November 1945 and July 1946. I like this story very much, with its idea of an ethical politician.
It concerns two opposing candidates for the position of mayor of a major American city: Stephen Byerley, who is a district attorney, and Francis Quinn. Francis Quinn’s campaign is based on a smear campaign, (view spoiler) It soon becomes the only issue in a public campaign. The story is constructed very well, and although I did predict the neat ending, it is a satisfying read. It would make a good film, and indeed Orson Welles did purchase the film rights for “EԳ�, but the film was never made.
The final story “The Evitable Conflict� first appeared in the “Astounding Science Fiction� magazine in 1950. Written four years later, it moves the previous story on, and closes Dr. Susan Calvin’s reminiscences. We read a rather dull political account of how Earth finally achieved peace, by having far fewer warring countries. Earth is now divided into four geographical regions, each with its own figurehead. However, the decision-making power actually lies with a supercomputer known as the Ա�, which manages its economy. We are now in the year 2052, and Stephen Byerley has continued to gain promotions, until he was elected as World Co-ordinator. This is his second term, but there is a problem. He has called Dr. Susan Calvin to ask her advice, and the story is a consultation between them.
(view spoiler)
The story is a noble one, but rather dry to read, and with a damp squib of an ending. The collection finishes by telling us that Dr. Susan Calvin had died the previous month, at the age of 82.
I am not sure that the frame story was really necessary, and in places it did feel forced, with some repetition. However, it was interesting to read the stories in chronological order as they reflected the evolution of robotics, and its gradual acceptance by humanity. I Robot is a landmark in Science Fiction, because of containing the short story in which Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics first appear. This was to have a far-reaching impact on the concept of ethics of artificial intelligence, and the better stories here do touch on this aspect.
The writing is rather clunky at time, but ideas are paramount in this composite novel. It is astonishing to think that Isaac Asimov was only in his twenties when he wrote these stories and devised the bold and lasting concepts. He was still studying for a further degree in Chemistry, apart from a brief spell in the U.S. Army. A few years later he was to teach biochemistry at University, and eventually stopped doing research, confining his university role to lecturing students. His writing became more important to him, and in the late 1950s he was writing full time, with only an occasional honorary lecture.
Isaac Asimov has left a huge body of work, including nonfiction books and crime novels, but it is for his “Astounding� Science Fiction stories that he is best remembered.
Here is a list of all the stories which make up I Robot:
Robbie
Runaround
Reason
Catch that rabbit
Liar!
Little lost robot
Escape!
Evidence
The evitable conflict
Quotations:
“You can prove anything you want by coldly logical reason—if you pick the proper postulates.�
“A towering cliff of a black, basaltic rock cut off the sunlight, and the deep night shadow of an airless world surrounded them. Before them, the shadow reached out and ended in knife-edge abruptness into an all-but-unbearable blaze of white light, that glittered from myriad crystals along a rocky ground.�
And my favourite, which stresses Isaac Asimov’s emphasis on the essentially benign nature of robots:
“You just can’t differentiate between a robot and the very best of humans.�
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April 2, 2022
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April 2, 2022
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Paul
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 21, 2022 10:45AM
One of my favourite lifetime books written by one of my favourite lifetime authors. I love the whole "robot" concept and Asimov's examination of the three (four) laws of robotics has to be characterized as brilliant. Nice review.
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Paul wrote: "One of my favourite lifetime books written by one of my favourite lifetime authors. I love the whole "robot" concept and Asimov's examination of the three (four) laws of robotics has to be characterized as brilliant. Nice review."Thanks Paul :)
Oleksandr wrote: "A great review!"Thanks Oleksandr :)
This is a FANTASTIC review Jean. One of your best.
RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "This is a FANTASTIC review Jean. One of your best."Wow, thanks R.J. - a comment like this is lovely to read, and makes the effort worthwhile :)
