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"There was a time when one old eccentric guy with a notebook could do something important to science. Now even the resources of a major university are often not enough."
- Jerry Pournelle
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| Verhaeren Factor | ||
| Provides autonomous robots with the capacity for independent creative action. |
What provisions could a roboticist make to ensure creativity in an autonomous robot?
| "I'll bet I know why android cooks were never too successful. Nobody ever included the Verhaeren factor in their brains."
The Verhaeren factor, if you've studied this stuff at all, is what makes robots capable of independent creative action. For instance, in the robots that turn out popular fiction - in a very small proportion, of course. "Yes, that's the trouble. They never realized that a cook is an artist as well as a servant Well, we'll give him in his brain what he needs for creation and in his body the tools he needs to carry it out..." |
| Technovelgy from Robinc,
by Anthony Boucher. Published by Astounding Science Fiction in 1943 Additional resources -
|
See also the entry for light-sculpture for one idea from Isaac Asimov. Also, can this robotic painter create masterpieces like his namesake?
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More Ideas
and Technology from Robinc
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and Technology by Anthony Boucher
Tech news articles related to Robinc
Tech news articles related to works by Anthony Boucher
Verhaeren Factor-related
news articles:
- Robot Painter 'Action Jackson' Mimics Jackson Pollock
- Midjourney AI Creates 'Théâtre D'opéra Spatial', Wins Art Fair First Prize
| Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You |
| SnapBot Robots - You Choose Their Legs And They Choose Their Gaits |
| Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots |
| What's The Best Way To Ship And Unpack Humanoid Robots? |
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'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
'Somewhere in space, a chrome and blue automobile raced the green light of Earth.'
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...'
'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
