I, Robot

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov is compiled of several short stories with one similar character in the form of a robopsychologist, Susan Calvin. It subtly implies robots can make choices and put the lives of humans in their own hands. Eventually, the robots will have greater memory functions than humans and will be able to handle any situation unless the harm or death of a human comes into play. Would the world be a better place if we all followed the three laws of robotics Asimov created for this novel?

1. One may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. One must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. One must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Of course, it is easier for robots to follow these laws than it ever would be for humans. They have it programmed into their systems. Technically, a moral human being would follow these as well, but we still have things like wars in the world because there isn't something strong enough embedded into all of our systems to tell us not to harm humans.

These stories about robots and their interactions with humans gives you a lot to think about. How would you handle a situation where there was a mind-reading robot that messed with your mind because he didn't know better? Or if there was a robot who believed a piece of machinery created him and served this machine as a master instead of following your orders? Is this our future if we continue our research in robotics?

The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown is another thrill-seeking adventure steeped in the history of Washington D.C. with religious and scientific implications. Throughout this novel you learn a lot about the Masonic society that has been shrouded in mystery while also learning more about our country's capital than you've probably ever learned in your history classes.

Robert Langdon is back for another wild tale, this time set in just one evening/early morning. Langdon is put through a series of tests and trials in order to decipher a code for a maniac holding one of his dear friends captive. Twists and turns throughout the plot keep this story moving at a fairly rapid pace. It was difficult to put the book down and it was very easy to get through large chunks of it in one sitting.

It not only tests your knowledge of history and Langdon's knowledge of ancient texts and codes, but also brings about interesting revelations that will keep you pondering their implications long after you've finished the novel. If you like rollercoaster-like books, this one's for you!

World War Z

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks read much like a movie is watched. The multiple stories in the book were broken up into segments and followed at different times. This kind of layout added to the chaos felt by reading their stories. It felt like you were there, after the war, speaking to the survivors and their tales they had to tell. Much like wars that have happened in our history, you can tell from these stories that these people will be haunted by what they saw, felt, and heard throughout the years of the Zombie Wars. Who wouldn't be haunted by the moan issued by the beasts calling more to your location as you try desperately to kill the ones you're already facing? Who wouldn't avoid abandoned cars in case they have a living dead trapped inside it? Who wouldn't have nightmares about thousands of zombies slowly trudging through a field turning everyone they come upon into one of their own?

This is a chilling collection of tales that represent not the fictional idea of zombies, but the realism of how abandoned we would all feel if something should happen to our resources we so heavily rely on. There are diseases we are unable to battle against, there are real threats to our preservation of life if our resources deplete, and there are even real dangers that humans can and will turn against each other if the situation calls for it.

Even if you don't believe there is going to be a zombie uprising, I recommend this book for the underlying hints it gives at what life may be like in the future if something or someone causes great damage to all that we know. Read it as a non-fiction piece, not as fiction. Turn the zombies into another thing to be feared and see if you can see this as our world in the future. What are you going to do about it? How will you change what may be happening? Will you be a zombie? Or will you be a human desperately clawing at the memories you once had? The choice is yours.