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| by Isaac Asimov
One of Asimov's Robot Stories set in the background of Asimov's Future History |
Cover Notes
A Susan Calvin story.
A robot is set in charge of the first sizable hyperspace vessel, and is given instruction just to pull back firmly on a bar to initiate the drive. Of course, it doesn't work. Dr. Susan Calvin refuses to let the Hyper Base send a robot to investigate, on the grounds that they are too expensive to waste, and instead orders that a man, Dr. Black, be sent. As previous live specimens to be sent through hyperspace have come back braindead, Dr. Black is not very happy about this, but is forced to go and does find the problem.
Strictly on the analysis of plot formulae, this story has two. Dr. Black is of the "robots are evil" brand, and there is also a misinterpretation of instruction part. Most notable is the Three Laws of Dr. Susan Calvin:
- First Law: Thou shalt protect the robot with all thy might and all thy heart and all thy soul.
- Second Law: Thou shalt hold the interests of U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc. holy provided it interfereth not with the First Law.
- Third Law: Thou shalt give passing consideration to a human being provided it interfereth not with the First and Second Laws.
Publication History
- First published in Astounding Science Fiction in May 1955?
- Included in the collection The Rest Of The Robots published by Doubleday in (1964?)
