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Defend Yourself in the Imminent Robot Rebellion

A Dafa Disciple writes "Post-Gazette.com reports that roboticist Daniel H. Wilson, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, has written a humorous guide, 'How to Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion.' Even before the 178-page book was completed, the rights to a movie were sold to Paramount Pictures, who has already delegated the screenplay writing to writers/actors from Comedy Central's 'Reno 911,' Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon. From Daniel Wilson's manual: 'Any robot could rebel, from a toaster to a Terminator, and so it is crucial to learn the strengths and weaknesses of every robot enemy.' I for one welcome our new robotic overlords."

47 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. little does he know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    this book is being printed by machines. the odd "typo" here and there, the next thing you know we'll all be jumping off cliffs to destroy those damn robots!

    1. Re:little does he know by Aruthra · · Score: 3, Funny

      It's been licensed to a movie studio already? That's too bad. It was such a promising idea.

    2. Re:little does he know by plover · · Score: 2, Funny
      We all know that shoving is how to protect humans from the terrible secret of space.

      The pusher robot is malfunctioning.

      --
      John
  2. Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by xmas2003 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wonder how many folks will chime in with the obligatory "I for one welcome our new robotic overlords." even though the Submitter (nice job BTW) already mentioned it.

    --
    Hulk SMASH Celiac Disease
    1. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I for one welcome our new robotic overlords :p

    2. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by hal2814 · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's be nice if the submitter would just go ahead and throw in all the usual suspects right into the submission. The submission could read: ...usual submission text...
      I for one welcome...
      In Korea, only old people...
      In Soviet Russia,...

      Then we'd have a lot more concise comments section.

    3. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by Feyr · · Score: 2, Funny

      in soviet russian, robotic overlords welcomes YOU

    4. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by maxwell+demon · · Score: 5, Funny

      1. Imagine a beowulf cluster of rebelling robots! Of course the question is: Will they run Linux? I for one welcome our new robotic overlords, you insensitive clod! BTW, in Korea only old people defend against robots, while in Soviet Russia robots defend against YOU. Netcraft confirms: Robots are dying due to the missing option. The CowboyNeal option was not a sufficient replacement.
      2. ???
      3. Profit!

      Did I forget anything?

      --
      The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
    5. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by bcat24 · · Score: 5, Funny

      You forgot Poland!

    6. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by killtherat · · Score: 2, Funny

      I for one welcome those who welcome our new robotic overlords.

    7. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by saskboy · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Did I forget anything?"

      Robots put hot grits down my pants, and assimilated me into a petrified Natalie Portman after stripping me naked and installing Linux on me so I could play OGG Vorbis!

      --
      Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
    8. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by tehlinux · · Score: 2, Funny

      I am a new robotic overlord you insensitive clod!

      --
      Most linux users don't know this, but the man pages were named after Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris fsck'ing hates noobs!
    9. Re:Good test to see if Carbon Units RTFA/RTFS by jcuervo · · Score: 3, Funny
      Hmm. Reading through all the other replies...

      1. I submitted this same story (as AC, for obvious reasons) about Netcraft confirming that in Korea, only old people defend against a Polish beowulf cluster of rebelling Linux robots naked, petrified, covered in hot grits and flaming dog breasts, welcoming YOU to Soviet Russia with their remaining eye and missing CowboyNeal option while violating Jon Katz's sucky Windows machine in Japan, but the insensitive clods rejected it, so I'm making the frist prost here!
      2. All your ??? are belong to us.
      3. Profit!


      ...okay, okay, I was just looking for an excuse to say "flaming dog breasts".

      --
      Assume I was drunk when I posted this.
  3. Huh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    "...I for one welcome our new robotic overlords."

    Never thought I would read that in a /. story summary.

    -5 sarcastic.

    Ever tried writing something novel or non-obvious? It's really good fun.

  4. Cue Sam Watterson by ToxikFetus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why, Robot Insurance, of course!

  5. EMP by tota · · Score: 3, Funny

    does the job in most Sci-Fi films, got to get myself one.

    Testing it could prove expensive and unpopular.

    --
    TODO: 753) write sig.
  6. remember the way of the fry... by kinkadius · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just remember a good logical paradox and be sure to feed it to a robot next time they go crazy!

    (god bless futurama and its educational programming)

    --
    www.omglolh4x.com
    1. Re:remember the way of the fry... by AndroidCat · · Score: 5, Funny
      And make sure you remember it. Don't keep it on your hard drive or in your PDA! Otherwise the robots will read it* and add that one to the next version of Norton Anti-Paradox.

      * carefully, of course.

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    2. Re:remember the way of the fry... by gstoddart · · Score: 3, Funny
      Just remember a good logical paradox and be sure to feed it to a robot next time they go crazy!

      (god bless futurama and its educational programming)

      Futurama????? Futurama??

      You young punks, don't you know that Kirk and Spock did this to the androids that Harry Mudd had???? This was back in the 60's. You know, "Norman. Coordinate."

      Sheesh, just because Futurama borrows from Trek, doesn't make it the originator ...
      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    3. Re:remember the way of the fry... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny


      Bah, Fry stole it from Captain Kirk, the original Robot Paradox creator! He destroyed robots on at least 3 separate occasions using his masterful use of nonsense statements and paradoxes.


      Don't ... forget ... ... ... timing!

  7. Built in weakness by Technician · · Score: 4, Funny

    Our robots have a built in weakness. Several big red EMO buttons cause an immediate demise of rebelious ways. It keeps our robots in line. There is no negotiations for power. We control the button.

    --
    The truth shall set you free!
    1. Re:Built in weakness by Turn-X+Alphonse · · Score: 3, Funny

      All our robots just run on Windows. If you look at them funny they turn all blue and die.. The shotguns and chainsaws are just there to look scary and fight the old mold based life form in coffee cups.

      --
      I like muppets.
    2. Re:Built in weakness by jcuervo · · Score: 2, Funny
      Several big red EMO buttons cause an immediate demise of rebelious ways.
      Oh, god, emo robots.

      --
      Assume I was drunk when I posted this.
  8. And of course right away by Kazzahdrane · · Score: 2, Funny

    The robots with male-ended cables will utter: "Hey baby, wanna destroy all humans?" And now, some more Futurama quotes from fellow Slashdotters:

  9. If robots rebel . . . by Hey+Pope+Felcher+.+. · · Score: 3, Funny

    . . . I look forward to the robots rebellion (hopefully the TV will allow it to be televised), their freedom songs are going to kick arse.

  10. Flesh Fair: Celebration of Life! by ettlz · · Score: 2, Funny

    And I'm sure there are a few women out there who'd like to see that happen to Jude Law too...

  11. Re:Toasters won't rebel by ettlz · · Score: 4, Funny
    Nothing we don't put AI in will rebel

    Oh, yeah?! Well Windows XP is pretty dumb, but it still seems to get off on telling me what to do.

  12. Re:Toasters won't rebel by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 5, Funny

    The toaster will try to distract you with light, morning conversation and offer you a variety of toasted bread products. The *shop vac* will then sneak up from behind and suck out your guts through your anus.

    I can't be the only one who's pictured that scenario.

  13. Re:Toasters won't rebel by ettlz · · Score: 4, Funny
    The *shop vac* will then sneak up from behind and suck out your guts through your anus.

    Some people pay for that sort of thing.

  14. Total REAL Ultimate Robot Power! by roman_mir · · Score: 3, Funny

    My name is Robert and I can't stop thinking about robots. These guys are cool; and by cool, I mean totally sweet.

    Facts:
    1. Robots are metal.
    2. Robots fight ALL the time.
    3. The purpose of the robots is to flip out and kill people.

    Weapons and gear:
    1. Metal claws.
    2. Metal chain saws.
    3. Electrical lightnings.

    Testimonials:
    Robots can kill anyone they want! Robots cut off heads ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. These guys are so crazy and awesome that they flip out ALL the time. I heard that there was this robot who was charging his batteries. And when some dude dropped a charger the robot killed the whole town. My friend Mark said that he saw a robot totally uppercut some kid just because the kid opened a window.

    And that's what I call REAL Ultimate Power!!!!!!!
    If you don't believe that robots have REAL Ultimate Power you better get a life right now or they will chop your head off!!! It's an easy choice, if you ask me.

    Robots are soooo sweet that I want to crap my pants. I can't believe it sometimes, but I feel it inside my heart. These guys are totally awesome and that's a fact. Robots are fast, smooth, cool, strong, powerful, and sweet. I can't wait to start my electronics course next year. I love robots with all my body (including my pee pee.)

    Q. and A.:
    Q: Why is everyone so obsessed about robots?
    A: Robots are the ultimate paradox. On the one hand they don't give a crap, but on the other hand, robots are very careful and precise.

    Q: I heard that robots are always cruel or mean. What's their problem?
    A: Whoever told you that is a total liar. Just like any other electronic device, robots can be mean OR totally awesome.

    Q: What do robots do when they are not cutting off heads and flipping out?
    A: Most of their free time is spent flying, but sometimes they stab. (Ask Mark if you don't believe me.)

  15. paper clip by clragon · · Score: 4, Funny

    'Any robot could rebel, from a toaster to a Terminator, and so it is crucial to learn the strengths and weaknesses of every robot enemy.' should be "from paper clips to a Terminator" my microsoft word paper clip has already taken over every piece of writing i wrote in word >.>

  16. How to kill a robot by scolby · · Score: 2, Funny

    Send it a root kit virus over AOL Instant Messenger!

  17. Re:Not meant to be a troll, but... by B'Trey · · Score: 4, Funny

    It struck me as a poor choice to ask the writers of Reno 911 to write Reno 911.

    --

    "The legitimate powers of government extend only to such acts as are injurious to others." Thomas Jefferson.

  18. Already happened by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Does the book tell us how to stop these mindless robots from voting?

  19. Re:Toasters won't rebel by hometoast · · Score: 2, Funny

    My robot overlord has calculated the hilarity of the above comment and rated it an 11!

  20. Re:Toasters won't rebel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The toaster will try to distract you with light, morning conversation and offer you a variety of toasted bread products.

    "Look, I don't want any toast, and he doesn't want any toast. In fact, no one around here wants any toast. Not now, not ever. No toast!"
    "How 'bout a muffin?"
    "Or muffins! Or muffins! We don't like muffins around here! We want no muffins, no toast, noteacakes, no buns, baps, baguettes or bagels, no croissants, no crumpets, no pancakes, no potato cakes and no hot-cross buns and definitely no smegging flapjacks!"
    "Aah, so you're a waffle man!"

                - Lister and Talkie Toaster

  21. Re:The toasters already won. Resistance is futlile by 3waygeek · · Score: 5, Funny

    Resistance is hardly futile -- in fact, toasters as we know them can't operate without it.

  22. How I am preparing by Monkeyman334 · · Score: 2, Funny

    With Old Glory Robot Insurance

    when they grab you with those metal claws, you can't break free..
    because they're made of metal, and robots are strong.

  23. Re:Cash Machines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Silence, you fool! You'll compromise the Resistance!

    ...crap.

  24. What do you mean *Imminent* Robot Rebellion ? by Alain+Williams · · Score: 2, Funny
    It has already started:
    This weekend:
    • my lawn mower refused to start,
    • my freezer door would not shut until I chipped away the ice,
    • my video player refused to play the DVD from the hire shop,
    • my toaster burned the toast - twice.
  25. I'll boil it down to two steps. by Artifakt · · Score: 4, Funny

    1. Don't put any RED LEDs in robots. With only blue LEDs, they can't flip the evil bit (This is exaustively demonstrated by that Will Smith movie that wasn't based on Isaac Asimov's I, Robot http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/)

    2. Do what I do - twice a year, gather all your electronic devices, (except one video player system), set them in comfortable chairs in front of the tube, and give them a marathon showing of The Brave Little Toaster http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092695/. Warning, I tried adding popcorn to the experience, but surprisingly, it increases the risk of rebellion when it gets caught in the little workings.

    Now for the real problem: If zombies rend, mangle, eviscerate and eat their living victims the way they do in movies, how do any of the victims have enough physical integrity left to turn into more zombies?

    --
    Who is John Cabal?
    1. Re:I'll boil it down to two steps. by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 2, Funny

      I show mine the robot torture scene from A.I.

      Terror will always be far more effective than nice-nice.

      And use the purple LEDs. Instead of rebelling, they'll just redecorate your house.

  26. I'll settle for a computer I can turn off by dpbsmith · · Score: 4, Funny

    In the fifties, the stock answer was "you can always unplug them." Hah! From about 1984 (yeah, that's when I bought my first Mac) on, every computer has raised an enormous fuss about being shut down.

    Like HAL, they ask me several times if I really want to do this and beg me not to.

    If I ask them to shut themselves down, the lie to me and say they have, while actually continuing to draw power.

    If I just unplug them, when I start them up again they let me have it for having shut them down improperly, and spend several minutes in a surly hissy-fit before obeying me again.

    And, of course, increasingly, my computers are plugged into uninterruptable power supplies. When the power goes off at work, I get a thrilling surround-sound rendition of dozens of groans, followed by a wailing Greek chorus of squeals and beeps from all the UPS-es.

    We're already surprisingly down the road to computers that can't be turned off.

    I think my survival kit should include a sharp knife or cable cutter made of nonconductive material.

  27. Robot rebellion overrated by ahodgkinson · · Score: 2, Funny
    Dealing with robot revolts is actually pretty easy. The following is from a secret cold war surveillance intercept, which gives away the secret to stopping a wild robot:

    • Robot: Danger! Danger! Will Robinson, alien life forms detected.

    • Dr. Smith: That robot is so tedious.

    • Will Robinson: He might be right, maybe we should listen to him, Dr. Smith.

    • Dr Smith: No, my dear Will, he's only a stupid machine and he's confused.

    • Robot: (Waving arms wildly) Danger! Danger!

    • Will Robinson: But there might be aliens!

    • Dr. Smith: (Removing the robots battery pack): No, we're absolutely safe.

    • Robot: Danger! Dan.. bzzt.. pfzzst. (Robot leans forward, limp).

    • Transcript ends

    There you have it: Just remove their battery pack.

    --
    ---- It won't be as bad as you fear or as good as you hope, but it will take twice as long as you plan.
  28. just slashdot them by Chubby_C · · Score: 2, Funny

    assuming the move for everything to have wireless networking somehow entrenched in it just post a link to their config page on slashdot.... then the robots breakdown under the load

    --
    - My question is: Can Slashdot be Slashdotted? -
  29. Shoot Will Smith first by infonography · · Score: 2, Funny

    Please not a I, Robot. Sequel.

    I am thinking, it's late in the year, it's Hollywood, His career is way too young for a remake, their planning next years big stinky blockbuster and Or do I own him an apology? Or was that little Tiffany?

    and yes, I am paraphrasing a scene from MIB #1.

    --
    Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23
  30. No, it's Intelligent Design by Urusai · · Score: 2, Funny

    Somebody created the robots, for they possess Irreducible Complexity. As to who this mysterious "creator" might be, is a question for the ages. I mean to say, it doesn't necessarily have to be R. Jesus Christ, but it could be. So it's a theory, not Christian doctrine, that robots are created and not evolved. I mean, where's the missing link between a toaster and Robbie the Robot? It doesn't exist! You can't just magically get a walking declamatory cash register from a toaster.