Transformers

Emile Cioran (who later repudiated his fascist past) wrote in his book trouble with being born that “Man is a robot with defects”. Westwood, california, was invaded last week by “Robots in Disguise”; five movie theaters (yes i said five) in westwood were getting ready at 9:00 am to welcome the Transformers that night. i looked up from my newspaper in a coffee shop and started to smile seeing the huge robot across the street from me.

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i’ve always had a soft spot for robots, friendly or not – i still remember doctor smith bickering with the robot in the “Lost in Space” episodes. being a trekkie (and in love with Spock for my entire 5th and 6th grade), Data has been on top of the list but who can forget the Borg?

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i took some pictures in a hurry before they could disappear – which they did the very next day after a night of red carpet fun. only in hollywood…

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“Let’s start with the three fundamental Rules of Robotics…. We have: one, a robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Two, a robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. And three, a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.”

ISAAC ASIMOV, Astounding Science Fiction, Mar. 1942

 

One thought on “Transformers

  1. Thank you for your vibrant photos and commentary. I can only hope that Asimov’s laws will stand forever. Was that the Village Theater in Westwood. I felt a twinge of nostalgia. Having grown up in Santa Monica, I’ve been to that theater many times. I now live and write in the San Francisco East Bay Area.

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