Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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12 APRIL 1-7, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM "Science and its consequences" a statement that can take many routes considering the changes science has made to humanity. In particular, technology has had an amazing impact on not only the way we live our lives, but also how we live with it. Lets Talk about It is a seminar used to spark discussion on various topics sponsored by The North Carolina Humanities Council, which chooses books that will give participants a chance to reflect on science fiction. The humanities council arranges local scholars, writers and storytellers to lead discussions about each book. On April 9, the discussion will focus on the series I, Robot. I, Robot is a series of novels written by Isaac Asimov in 1950. The novel was brought to life in the 2004 film starring Will Smith. Lynn Salsi, an award-winning author will lead the discussion as participants ask questions to spark conversation. Through the novel, robots are based on three basic laws: • A robot may not injure a human being or allow a human being to come to harm. • Robots must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the first law. • A robot can protect its own existence as long as it does not conflict with the first or second law. The novel places robots and technology at an equal level. Making the viewers question what robotics is really for. The story line explores the robot's side of the story by incorporating robots as companions to humans as well as giving one robot its own thoughts and dreams, the simple things us humans take lightly. The name of the leading robot is "Sunny." The irony of the name is very compelling: Sunny brings a new light to the way people look at robots because he is a machine with thoughts of his own, defying the three basic laws. "It is certainly interesting to watch the development of new technologies, and technology has already made our lives more convenient, informed and more connected. As for the development of artificial intelligence, science fiction writers great and small have spilled gallons of ink speculating about how that will change our lives and our society," said Anessa Olson, project manager. "It will certainly be interesting to see which one is right. Personally, I just hope it isn't James Cameron, who created The Terminator," she added. Robots are not designed to replace humans and they never will. Robots are made to do one specific task while humans are capable of doing many. Robots are man made and men can procreate. "Isaac Asimov, wrote I, Robot as an antidote to the Frankenstein complex he saw so frequently in the stories of his time. He recognized that humans are often made uneasy by their own creations and described ways in which society might handle that uneasiness," said Olson. Humans are the most complex beings. We are creative, emotional and loving. Three basic things robots can never be. Just think, we carry the smallest robots with us every day. "The Lets Talk About It session gives a diverse group of people a point of common ground to come together and discuss issues that affect us all. As one of the participants said of last year's series, 'These programs enhance quality of life," said Olson. If you would like to join in on the conversation join the Lets Talk About It discussion on April 9, at 6:30 p.m. in Headquarters Library. Let's Talk About It at the Headquarters Library by CANDICE CARR Explore the idea of how technology impacts our lives through a discussion about I, Robot at the Headquar- ters Library on April 9. (910) 437-5959 815 Stamper Road Fayetteville, NC 28303 Wednesday, April 15, 2015 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (910) 437-5959 • 815 Stamper Rd. • Fayetteville, NC 28303 www.fayettevillenc.expresspros.com REGISTER AT REFRESHLEADERSHIP.COM/LIVE #RefreshLeadership Featuring Daymond John Featuring Dan Aykroyd Featuring Liz Murray Bigger and Better This Year! Check out our ad on page 17, to see why. CANDICE CARR, Intern. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910.484.6200. MONDAY $5 Pizzas THURSDAY Corn Hole Tournament TUESDAY $5 Burgers All Day & Live Trivia FRIDAY Live Music KickBack with us later, now open until 2 a.m. 5081 Morganton Rd., Fayetteville, NC 223-7676 • Open Daily 11am-2am kbjacks.com NHL Package NBA Package