Poll: Why do we like Robots?

[TheDandyHighwayman]

Personally I just love Issac Asimov's I Robot Series... and I think it'd be awfully efficient to be a robot... I'd get a helluva lot more work done and I wouldn't need to eat, sleep, keep warm etc... A small price for free will if you ask me

 

[Small Dragon]

I'm going to show you a few pictures to justify why we like robots. These 3 pictures are my answers and are undeniable proof that Robots are awesome

ZERO

Megaman X

Dat Mango Sentinel

MEGA MAN! >

 

[Merkavar]

ROBOTS ARE OUR LORDS AND MASTERS.

All hail our robotic overlords.
Long live our metalic rulers.

 

[Daverson]

To quote about:robots [about:robots] (this site only works if you're awesome - or you use firefox, though many would argue these groups overlap completely)

# Robots may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
# Robots have seen things you people wouldn't believe.
# Robots are Your Plastic Pal Who's Fun To Be With.
# Robots have shiny metal posteriors which should not be bitten.
And they have a plan.

On a more serious note, why would anyone dislike robots? Only robo-racists, dislike robots! Down with Robo-racists! And down with Captchas - the tools of robo-racists!

 

[x EvilErmine x]

Robots are often used as a narrative tool in which to explore basic human behavior. Fictional robots often strive to simulate human emotions, but due to possible factors like basic appearance and programming limitations cannot truly act "human." Many "good" robots try to fit in, and will often question the motives of the organics around them in order to better understand how to interact effectively. It gives the audience a chance to step back from our fleshy selves and analyze just exactly why we humans behave in the manner that we do.

If the robot is genuinely likable (or at least elicits sympathy), it adds another layer to the mix. Even though it's a machine, the audience starts to treat the robot like an actual person. This challenges us to grapple with more intangible questions, like is it possible for a machine to truly "feel" emotion or even have a soul?

Alternately, "evil" robots will often abandon all pretense at being human and revel in their mechanical superiority over pathetic, fleshy humans. These tend to make for entertaining villains, as their lack of humanity is utterly justified, making it easier for the audience to accept their apparent lack of sympathy. It's also implied that the moral implications of deactivating/destroying them aren't nearly as momentous as killing a living antagonist.

At the same time however, most of these "evil" robots cannot conceive of any other way to behave, either because of limitations in their programming or the belief that what they are doing is the most sound, logical thing to do. Here they raise all sorts of metaphorical questions, like at what point should thinking for oneself trump following orders, or is killing for a "greater good" justified?

I think our perception of fictional robots carries over to real ones as well. While most current robots do little more than perform menial tasks, the potential to create a real C-3PO or Data is incredibly tantalizing, but also more than a little frightening. A part of us would love to interact with robots on a level similar to fellow humans, but another part is terrified of having to actually attempt to solve the tough questions fictional robots have presented us.

This really, you sir have done a good job of explaining it i think.

 

[Madara XIII]

I'm going to show you a few pictures to justify why we like robots. These 3 pictures are my answers and are undeniable proof that Robots are awesome

Alright, so you think they're awesome.
What makes them make you think they're awesome? Is it simply their aesthetic appeal?

/ Not just for their aesthetic appeal but because of the fictional abilities that they are able to display such as fighting other robots and mutants. It displays a certain level of awesomeness

 

[wagglelance]

From the stand point of evolution, I feel that robots are a mental evolution (at end point) of the human race.

 

[do_the_manta_ray]

Deleted; sorry about double-post.

 

[do_the_manta_ray]

Why we like robots.

<YouTube=7yieEyG6iZ0>

Plus; Battlestar Galactica.

 

[Jegsimmons]

johnny 5 anyone?

 

[Madara XIII]

johnny 5 anyone?

Short Circuit FTW!!

 

[Madara XIII]

Chicks dig giant robots.

O_O HOLY MOTHER OF ALL NOSTALGIA ATTACKS!! One of the best Toonami shows ever!!

Megas XLR

 

[Paksenarrion]

"Because we can have sex with them and they will never leave us."

"Not like the ocean."

"Why won't you speak to me, ocean?"