That Would Be An Interesting Loophole

[abracanabra]

A front-page article on Feb. 16 about the military's efforts to build robot soldiers misstated the third rule for robots from ''I, Robot,'' by the science-fiction author Isaac Asimov, a guideline for their coexistence with humans. (Asimov's first two rules were ''Do not hurt humans'' and ''Obey humans unless that violates Rule 1.'') His third rule was, ''Defend yourself unless that violates Rule 1 OR Rule 2'' -- not ''Rule 1 AND Rule 2.''

Source Citation: "Corrections." (Metropolitan Desk)(Corrections)(Correction Notice) The New York Times, Feb 25, 2005 pA2(L) col 04 (2 col in). Science Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 09 June 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/scirc?ste=1&docnum=a129223465>

Comments

[bitwise.livejournal.com]

That's funny, that they even bothered to issue a correction, because really, how many people even understand the difference?

For an interesting take on the three laws, try Cory Doctorow's short story, I, Robot (http://www.infinitematrix.net/stories/shorts/i-robot.html).

[cloudscudding.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing that people who a) read, and b) read the New York Times probably have a higher degree of understanding the nature of logic than the general public.

I like Doctorow...I'll check out the story.

[discoflamingo.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Inverse tautologies are awesome!

[cloudscudding.livejournal.com]

And entertaining. And involve the word 'tautology' for bonus points.