The Artificial Alien: Transformations of the Robot in Science Fiction

Abstract

The robot, though a relatively recent arrival in the real world, has been a subject of interest in literature—primarily, though not exclusively, science fiction—for most of this century. It is possible to note significant transformations in perceptions of, and attitudes toward, the robot during this period by reviewing the literature. Thus the earliest robots are flesh and blood creations, and are perceived as potentially inimical in a number of ways. Over time the robot becomes a mechanical equivalent of humans and takes on many but not all of the attributes of aliens: interestingly the one most threatening alien attribute in Western perception—that of sexual threat—is not accorded the robot. Instead the robot is perceived as the perfect and perpetual servant, though with a distinct potential for danger. It might make humans superfluous in certain areas, but if humans can manage to prevent that, the literature implies, they will rejoice in a human-equivalent servant and companion. This article is of possible interest to those in the fields of the anthropology of work, anthropology and literature, futures research, and ethnic relations.