short stories
by Isaac Asimov
, first published by Gnome Press
in 1950 in an edition of 5,000 copies. The stories originally appeared in the American magazines Super Science Stories
and Astounding Science Fiction between 1940 and 1950. The stories are woven together as Dr. Susan Calvin tells them to a reporter (the narrator) in the 21st century. Though the stories can be read separately, they share a theme of the interaction of human
s, robot
s and morality
, and when combined they tell a larger story of Asimov's fictional history of robotics
.
Several of the stories feature the character of Dr.
[Describing his view on robots] There's nothing in here. [Points to his chest] It's just lights and clockwork.
[to the head of USR] You are crazy. Look, this is not what I do but, I have an idea for one of your commercials: You could see a carpenter, makin' a beautiful chair, and then one of your robots comes in, and makes a better chair, twice as fast. And then you super-impose on the screen: "USR. Shittin' on the little guy." That would be the fade out.
[After destroying a robot about to attack Calvin] Y'know, somehow "I told you so" just doesn't quite say it.
Does believing you're the last sane man on the planet make you crazy? 'Cause if it does, maybe I am.
[sneezes] ... Sorry, I'm allergic to bullshit.
[two USR trucks surround Spooner's car and open up, revealing numerous NS-5s] There is no way my luck is that bad. [The robots activate and stare at him] Aw, HELL NO!
[To Calvin upon realising that VIKI is behind everything] You were right, Doc. I am the dumbest dumb person on the face of the Earth.
[Talking to a cat previously owned by Lanning] Look, I know you've experienced a loss, but this relationship just can't work, I mean you're a cat, I'm black, and I'm not gonna be hurt again.
[To VIKI] You have SO got to die.
Robots building robots? Now that's just stupid.