‘May I join you?’ The medium-sized man with the undistinguished clothes and the blank, anonymous face looked up at Pettigrew, who, glass of beer in hand, stood facing him across the small corner table. Pettigrew, tall, handsome and of fully moulded features, had about him an intent, almost excited air that, in different circumstances, might … Read more
“Robot Dreams” is a short story by Isaac Asimov, published in 1986. The story begins when Elvex, an experimental robot with a new type of positronic brain, declares that he has had a dream. Intrigued, young researcher Linda Rash turns to Dr. Susan Calvin, a legendary figure in robopsychology, to investigate the case. Together, they examine the robot’s brain structure and discover that Elvex has developed complex and symbolic thoughts, strikingly similar to those of humans. What initially seemed like a technical breakthrough reveals an unexpected crack in the foundation of the Three Laws of Robotics.
To the Lady of the House: Convert your children’s vitality into an energy force. We now have on sale the marvelous Baby HP, a device that is set to revolutionize the domestic economy. The Baby HP is a very durable and lightweight metal structure that adapts perfectly to a child’s delicate body through the use … Read more
“The Other Foot,” a short story by Ray Bradbury included in his collection The Illustrated Man (1951), tells the story of a black community on Mars that anxiously awaits the arrival of a rocket from Earth, the first in twenty years and with a white man on board. The inhabitants of Mars, who had fled a past of racial discrimination and violence on Earth, are confronted with their memories and the temptation to reverse the roles of oppression when they welcome this new visitor.
Major Lawrence Hall bent over the binocular microscope, correcting the fine adjustment. “Interesting,” he murmured. “Isn’t it? Three weeks on this planet and we’ve yet to find a harmful life form.” Lieutenant Friendly sat down on the edge of the lab table, avoiding the culture bowls. “What kind of place is this? No disease germs, … Read more
Mr. Bessel was the senior partner in the firm of Bessel, Hart, and Brown, of St. Paul’s Churchyard, and for many years he was well known among those interested in psychical research as a liberal-minded and conscientious investigator. He was an unmarried man, and instead of living in the suburbs, after the fashion of his … Read more