Dec 1, 2019

Billy's Books 28: The Naked Sun

Billy reviews one of Isaac Asimov's many robot books, "The Naked Sun". Our hero visits a planet where people distinguish between "viewing" and "seeing" each other. Horrified by physical contact, they all live alone, and "view" each other by hologram, even married couples. (Except for those uncomfortable times when they must get together to do their civic duty. Eww.) To "see" someone in person -- even a family member -- is taboo, and repulsive.



The Three Laws of Robotics:
  1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 
  2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 
  3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.