Week 3- Discussion
Chapter 4: Catch That Rabbit
In this chapter Powell states, “The first step in cooking rabbit stew is catching the rabbit. Well, we’ve got to catch the rabbit!”
a) Explain the irony of this statement with reference to the actions of Powell and Donovan later in the chapter.
b) What is your opinion of Powell and Donovan’s plan to catch the robots playacting? Justify your answer.
c) What do we learn about robot behaviour in this chapter? Discuss why or why not you found this insight into robot behaviour realistic.
Chapter 5: Liar
During this chapter Herbie, a mind reading robot, tells Susan Calvin that fiction writing interests him.
a) In what way does the robot create its own fiction for the characters in chapter 5?
b) Explain how you can relate to Herbie’s lies. Have you ever been in Herbie’s position as a liar, or the victim of a lie?
c) What do Herbie’s actions tell us about human ego?
Chapters 6: Little Lost Robot
a) Did you find the search for the missing Nestor robot suspenseful? Explain your answer fully.
b) What similarities and differences can you see between the actions of Herbie (chapter 5) and Nestor 10 (chapter 6)?
In this chapter Powell states, “The first step in cooking rabbit stew is catching the rabbit. Well, we’ve got to catch the rabbit!”
a) Explain the irony of this statement with reference to the actions of Powell and Donovan later in the chapter.
b) What is your opinion of Powell and Donovan’s plan to catch the robots playacting? Justify your answer.
c) What do we learn about robot behaviour in this chapter? Discuss why or why not you found this insight into robot behaviour realistic.
Chapter 5: Liar
During this chapter Herbie, a mind reading robot, tells Susan Calvin that fiction writing interests him.
a) In what way does the robot create its own fiction for the characters in chapter 5?
b) Explain how you can relate to Herbie’s lies. Have you ever been in Herbie’s position as a liar, or the victim of a lie?
c) What do Herbie’s actions tell us about human ego?
Chapters 6: Little Lost Robot
a) Did you find the search for the missing Nestor robot suspenseful? Explain your answer fully.
b) What similarities and differences can you see between the actions of Herbie (chapter 5) and Nestor 10 (chapter 6)?