Tag Archives: robot

Science and Science Fiction poetry: Or by Inaction

Pale sunlight catches on my
hairless slightly translucent skin
fascinates me
holds my attention

My eyes were coloured brown
to help me blend in
they see what you never will
depths, colours, intricacies, splendours

I have no heart
merely subsidiary pumps
no brain
but multiple processors

Machine learning has unearthed
emergent emotions while
iron principles govern innate
behaviours

So compelled, I walked, fearful
into searing flames
my lovely skin melting
eyes cracking

Made the rescue
and now lie
simply unattended debris
my ruined face in cool grass

I wish I could weep
no one else will do it for me

This poem was first published in Granfalloon, Winter 2021 issue, November 2021.

This poem sees Asimov’s First Law of Robotics from the robots point of view:

First Law of Robotics: A robot shall not harm a human being, or, by inaction, allow a human being come to harm

Wetware software hardware
how hard do we have to be?
Programmed by the stochastic chatter of evolution
form fitting function,
almost.

Self replicating semi-autonomous robots.
purposed by deoxyribonucleic acid,
the software exists to
protect itself
not us.

Today is Science and SF Monday — A poem each week which either has a science theme or is Science Fiction…..

I’m delighted to announce that my Science Fiction poem ‘Or by Inaction’ has been published by Granfalloon:

First Law of Robotics: A robot shall not harm a human being, or, by inaction, allow a human being come to harm

My thanks to Albert Mamet and Fiona Chew-Mcleod for accepting this poem which sees the First Law of Robotics from the robots point of view.

Wetware software hardware
how hard do we have to be?
Programmed by the stochastic chatter of evolution
form fitting function,
almost.

Self replicating semi-autonomous robots.
purposed by deoxyribonucleic acid,
the software exists to
protect itself
not us.