Robot Louis Stevenson’s Treasure I, Land
The Hills have I, Robots
Yeah, I meant that his subsequent books delved further into the shades of interpretation than I, Robot did. I’ve read a couple of the Foundations, but don’t remember them that well. I don’t think I remember the Zeroth Law at all, at least not mentioned by name, but the last story in I, Robot did have computers addressing the concept of harming humans to save humanity. Only they didn’t “harm” them per se, only influenced the decisions of the world leaders (I think).
And I ain’t mad about the cussin-- I thought that one of Will Smith’s subsequent lines after the kid describes Susan Calvin as “shit hot” is to tell him to “quit cussin.”
There is that one story with the mind reading robot where Dr. Calvin tries to make herself pretty because she thinks that the guy she’s crushin on likes her too.
I must mention the Spanish title of the movie, which was naturally enough Yo, Robot (literally, “I, Robot.”)
But since it was Will Smith in it, I always mentally read the title as YO! Robot!
How about combining Asimov titles?
Robot Foundation
Nightfall Robot
The Robots, like Dust
O.k. I got nothin…
I, a Mad Mad Mad Mad Robot: an aging SML-R “Smiler” model robot reveals the existence of a long-hidden cache of platinum-iridium alloy-- “It’s hidden under click! whirr! a big ‘I’!” --sparking a wacky cross-country race to locate the treasure.
Starring R. Daneel Olivaw, Andrew Martin, Robby, Frinkel, Herbie, Ro-Man, Norby, Data, Marvin, Bishop, Gort, Adam Link, Tik-Tok, G.B.S. Mark V, Tom Servo, Crow T. Robot, Gypsy, KITT, K-9, Robotman, Red Tornado, Human Torch, Amazo, Brainiac, Ultron, the Metal Men, the Vision, Astro Boy, Kamelion, Robot B-9, Jet Jaguar, Cherry 2000, R2-D2, C-3PO, Leader-1, Stella Mudd, Optimus Prime, Imperious Leader, Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, Johnny 5, V.I.N.cent, B.O.B., Rosie, Irona, D.A.R.Y.L., Walter, ED-209, Hymie, H.E.R.B.I.E. and TWIKI.
Wait a minute! Speaking of Stella Mudd ("Har-court Fenton Mudd! What have you been up to, you lazy good-for-nothing-thing-thing-thing…")-- I just realized that the Star Trek episode she appeared in was entitled… “I, Mudd.” :dubious:
Just what are the odds that particular title structure would be used for an episode about a society of robots? Were they having a bit of fun at the expense of Dr. Asimov? I never made that association before.
Moreover, the very good ST:TNG episode where a single Borg gains individual self-awareness is entitled “I Borg.”
I, Robot Burning Your Dog.
Oh yes, I’d forgotten about that. But that episode at least shared the theme with Asimov’s stories of beings on the threshold of independent thought. “I, Robot” is (or was) a startling title for the same reason as “I, Borg;” neither robot nor Borg are assumed to possess a true sense of identity. “I, Mudd” doesn’t really address the same issue, so the title structure seems out of place.
On the other hand, I suppose it could be a direct nod to the Robert Graves novel I, Claudius, since Mudd plays the vaguely similar role of a flawed emperor. But given the character of the robots, I remain suspicious that the screenwriter was alluding at least in part to Asimov’s stories. Rather than being overtly aggressive, this robot society is following its directive to serve as best it can, which leads it to conclude that the best way to serve humanity is to conquer it. This is extremely Asimovian. Even the bit where Kirk and crew defeat the robots with illogic is reminiscent of the one story where Susan Calvin browbeats a robot into catatonia using the Three Laws.
I must say, I may have never considered this if it hadn’t been for this very silly thread. So I owe the OP a vote of thanks for that. Because if there’s one thing my brain doesn’t contemplate enough already, it’s Star Trek minutiae.
We have a winner!
**All Your Base Are Belong to I, Robot
**
The Alan Parsons Project did a concept album called “I, Robot,” with only slight connections to the Asimov stories.