First of all, the title of I, Robot is a direct response to the kind of thinking displayed in Asimov's original work; wherein it was postulated that the only way to have a society with active robots in it was to have very strict limits on what robots were allowed to do. I think what Cory is trying to say with this title and the story in general is that that kind of thinking needs to be re-examined in light of how just how much technology is changing our everyday lives and exactly how much the governments and corporations would like to tell us how we can or cannot utilize our own property.

And in response to j_aubrey's comment regarding "Down and Out..." I have to disagree. I don't think the "regard economics" in that book woudl encourage mediocrity any more than our current economic system does, and probably quite a bit less. Nowadays, most have to bow to a certain level of mediocrity in our lives just to earn the basics of survival - food, shelter, etc. With all of that taken care of, we can be more daring. Besides which, the system in that book clearly rewards innovation, hard work, and generosity. In such a system, many people would settle for mediocrity, and why not? But I don't think it would be inevitable for everyone.

If a persons actions are judged and rewarded solely on the basis of a common consensus, of what is cool/acceptable/respectable rather than on their own merits. Then inevitably people become slaves to mediocrity.

Great work Cory!

BTW: I hear you might be in Canada later this year talking to the AGM of the self-named "Creators Rights Alliance". It will be interesting to see how some of these more traditional thinkers take to some of the modern ideas you will bring. I have had some of my own discussions over the years with some CRA members.

I expect there will be more than a few "Social Harmony" agent types there promoting their organizational support for the 1996 WIPO treaties, broadcast treaties, and "broadcast flag" type regulations ;-)

The Locus Awards ballot is online, where science fiction fans can vote on their favorite works of 2005. I'm proud to report that I'm eligible in three categories: Best Fantasy Novel (Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town), Best Novella (Human Read...

I've made Locus's recommended reading list for 2005 in three different categories. I've score a recommendation for best novel for Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town, for best novella for Human Readable, and for best novelette for I, Robot....

So couldn't you ease up on him a bit? I think your remix idea is wonderful (and will buy the eventual book collection if if you publish it) But every time you stick it to Bradbury in Boing Boing or here it makes me cringe (I love the dear man, what can I say). I respectfully think that your work will be better if you frame it in a constructive context, not just as a destructive, punk kid's way of showing the man.

So couldn't you ease up on him a bit? I think your remix idea is wonderful (and will buy the eventual book collection if if you publish it) But every time you stick it to Bradbury in Boing Boing or here it makes me cringe (I love the dear man, what can I say). I respectfully think that your work will be better if you frame it in a constructive context, not just as a destructive, punk kid's way of showing the man.