This science fiction short story was first published in Astounding Science Fiction, a popular science fiction magazine. It was later published as the final story in Asimov's short story collection 'I, Robot'. 

Summary:

The story is set in the year 2052 when the world's economic system is governed by super-intelligent robots referred to as the Machines. They have created an idyllic society free from evils such as unemployment, over-production, and war. However, World Co-ordinater Steven Byerley (from previous story "Evidence") is concerned about a few aberrations he has noticed in the smooth functioning of the world's economy. The Regional Vice Co-ordinators of the four Planetary Regions tell him about odd events such as people losing their jobs due to improper information from the Machines. Byerley finds connections between the issues and the Society for Humanity, an anti-Machine organization, who he then suspects is responsible for tampering with the Machines. He seeks counsel from expert robopsychologist Susan Calvin who explains to him that the positronic brains of the Machines ensure that they follow the First Law of Robotics, "No Machine may harm humanity; or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm." She explains that the Machines are causing economic disturbances so that they can remove threats, such as members of the Society for Humanity, from positions of power, so that they cannot harm the Machines themselves and by extension the human race, sacrificing individuals for the good of humanity.

Major Theme:

In a world where governance has been handed over to the superintelligent positronic brains of the Machines, the theme of human control, or lack there of, is very prominent. A Vice Co-ordinator even mentions that he thinks of his position as primarily administrative, as the Machines are in charge of everything. The story concludes with the idea that the Machines are programmed to make decisions in the best interests of humanity as a whole and individual humans have no say in the matter. The story expresses anxiety over the lack of human control, with decisions about humanity's future being made by robots that are so advanced that humans can no longer even understand how they function. However, Asimov also presents the lack of human control as a constant feature throughout history and the development of machine superintelligence as a natural progression of mankind. The tension between these two perspectives is ever-present throughout the story.

Summary:

Margaret Atwood’s novel Oryx and Crake is set in the seemingly not-too-distant yet post-apocalyptic future in which the main character, Snowman, lives alone near a village of “Crakers,” a superhuman species of genetically-manipulated clones. Snowman was named guardian and teacher over these individuals by their creator, his old friend Crake, before Crake destroyed the human race by lacing a “miracle pill” with harmful properties that have fatal effects. As the story goes on, one learns more about Snowman’s past as “Jimmy,” living on a compound owned by the company OrganInc, and how the Crakers came to exist.

Themes: 

One major theme of the novel questions the distinction between humans and animals. In the book, the reader is introduced to pigoons, pigs that are genetically engineered to grow human organs. Pigoons are regarded as unfit to for human consumption, since their quasi-human makeup blurs the lines of cannibalism. Further, the Crakers are human-based creations that exhibit many animal-like features, including herbivorous digestive systems, non-human mating rituals, and natural scents. The book calls into question the extent of their humanity and where a line, if any, should be drawn between humans and animals.

Another theme of the novel is nature versus artifice. Throughout the novel, Atwood shows examples of where objects have been tainted by technology and science. One particular example are the ChickieNobs, which enabled just parts of the chicken to be grown through tubes and bulbs. Through creatures like the ChickieNobs, Atwood comments on the power of genetics and science as well as the disturbing nature of genetic modification.

A third theme is the desire for immortality. Throughout the novel, there is an emphasis on elements of time. Allusions to time occur through mentionings of Snowman’s watch, Snowman’s thoughts about life and death, and Crake’s desire to achieve immortality through the Crakers. Crake believes that the fear of death leads to mortality, and thus he tries to eliminate this fear completely. 

About the Author:

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author born in 1939 and is known for her poetry, short stories, and novels. Several key themes and subjects can be found throughout her works, including art and its development, sexual dynamics, and ideologies. She often examines classical works and stories and presents them to a modern audience. While Atwood continues to write, she has also taken an interest in developing new scientific and technological inventions.  

Kathryn Byron and Mollie Maples