Robots: The Recent A.I.

Even before Karel Capek coined the term robot, the idea of mechanical people fascinated us: they wanted to play one, to use their ingenuity to create in their own image. While the actual robotics achievements have been stunning, the literary robots are even more amazing in the diversity of both function and metaphor. From Capek's biotech machines of R.U.R. to Kuttner's Proud Robot to the fictional assortment of mechanical sex toys, rebels, grandmothers, servants and masters, these machines have represented our dreams as well as our anxieties. In this anthology are the stories that represent all the many faces of robots: beautiful, hideous, and everything in between. Introduction -- Rich Horton Eros, phillia, agape -- Rachel Swirsky Artifice and intelligence -- Tim Pratt I, robot -- Cory Doctorow Alternate girl's expatriate life -- Rochita Loenen-Ruiz The rising waters -- Benjamin Crowell Houses -- Mark Pantoja The djinn's wife -- Ian McDonald Stalker -- Robert Reed Droplet -- Benjamin Rosenbaum Kiss me twice -- Mary Robinette Kowal Algorithms for love -- Ken Liu A jar of goodwill -- Tobias S. Buckell The shipmaker -- Aliette de Bodard Tideline -- Elizabeth Bear Under the eaves -- Lavie Tidhar The nearest thing -- Genevieve Valentine Balancing accounts -- James L. Cambias Silently and very fast -- Catherynne M. Valente. From Kapek''s biotech machines of R.U.R. to Kuttner''s Proud Robot to the fictional assortment of mechanical sex toys, rebels, grandmothers, servants, and masters, these machines have represented our dreams as well as our anxieties. We love these literary creations but fear them as well. Stories from the last decade representing the many faces of robots - beautiful, hideous, and everything in between. Features short stories about robots that depict the complications and questions surrounding rights, human bonding, and freedom.