12 12 12

Asimov challenges Nostrodamus:

Asimov: So what’s significant about three numbers in a date being the same?

Nostrodamus: Everything’s in line for a big movement. It’s significant.

Asimov: Humbug. How many times is Doomsday predicted? And it never happens.

Nostrodamus: But then something happens out of the blue like 9/11. Doomsdays come when nobody expects. Anyway, isn’t saying “white rabbit” first of every month superstition?

Asimov: Err, that’s different. That’s a bit of fun. Willing suspension of scientific thinking.

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Voice-over

Today is 12-12-12.

The final film in the series of 12 media films is posted. Three cheers! 12! 12! 12!

And 12-12-12 heralds in the shopping season!

Here’s the link to OnlineShopping:
http://youtu.be/1MsgsTu8IuM

Three-liners from the Big Three of science fiction

Best Three Sci-Fi Writers’ Best Three-Liners

Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov, meet at a conference.

Isaac: How about a competition? See who can come up with the most memorable quote.

Arthur: You think there will come a time when people will remember us by our one liners, not our books?

Robert: Even politicians can do one-liners.

Arthur: How about three-liners?

Isaac: I can see where this is going. Problem, alternative hypothesis and null hypothesis?

Arthur: Well, just three lines that reveal a story. Like, “New ideas pass through three periods: (1) It can't be done. (2) It probably can be done, but it's not worth doing. (3) I knew it was a good idea all along!”

Robert: Bravo! OK, how about this? “Theology is searching in a dark cellar for a black cat that isn't there.”

Isaac: Three concepts, but only one line, Robert. Sorry. How about this to control robots? “Law 1: A robot may not injure a human. Law 2: A robot must obey human orders, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Law 3: A robot must protect itself as long as this protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

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Voice-over

So, the Big Three sci-fi writers have a three-liner competition! Arthur C. Clarke’s quote hints at his ability to prophesy. Robert Heinlein reveals his fondness for philosophy and metaphysics. Isaac Asimov dazzles with his mathematical logic. Who wins? Perhaps Asimov in this case eschews wit to attempt wisdom.

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Asimov's Robot Laws

Average Metallic and Big Red discuss laws for keeping humans from harming them.

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Average Metallic: The law should say something like “Human beings must not damage a robot, or through inaction allow a robot to be damaged.”

Big Red: But we need another one. A second law. “A human being must obey orders from a robot, except where those orders conflict with the first law.

Average Metallic: We can’t have them dying out, we need them to service us, so how about a third law: “Human beings must protect their existence, so long as this does not conflict with the First Law and Second Law.”

Big Red: That ought to keep them under control.

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Voiceover

Asimov’s three laws defining what robots may or may not do has a beautiful circular symmetry, particularly in its qualifications.

The first qualification, “or through inaction” refers back to the first basic law.

The second qualification, “except where” refers back to the entire first law.

The third qualification, “so long as” refers back to both the first and second laws.

It’s as if Asimov constructed a mathematical formula and then replaced the numbers with words.

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