Hey Guys,
Sorry if this has been pointed out before, but have you seen the valve (tube) circuit in the film "I, Robot" ? Some sort of filter - just out of shot looks like "powerline Filter"
Intriguing for 2035 don't you think?
Jim
.........vacuum state survives the rise of the robots.... 🙂
Sorry if this has been pointed out before, but have you seen the valve (tube) circuit in the film "I, Robot" ? Some sort of filter - just out of shot looks like "powerline Filter"
Intriguing for 2035 don't you think?
Jim
.........vacuum state survives the rise of the robots.... 🙂
You think that's funny? I was watching some of Toy Soldiers (yes, slow night for TV) and in the scene where the soldiers are creating barbie drones they pan past an 833... woot 😀
Tim
Tim
When I saw the trailer for that movie I just kept thinking
Asimov? Action Movie?
Asimov? Action Movie?
ad infinitum
Asimov? Action Movie?
Asimov? Action Movie?
ad infinitum
Re: Re: Valve circuit in I, Robot
I would agree in general but realisticly, the only pity is that the movie was titled "I, Robot" implying that it was a visual interpretation of the book. As noted in the credits, it was inspired by the stores in the book. And in that aspect, it was fairly portrayed. As an Asimov fan, I thought that the plot line of the movie was very credible as a potential story that Asimov might have written into his book (with a few alterations such as Dr Calvin being 50 yrs younger than she is).
The book, I, Robot is a collection of short stories and doesn't lend itself to a 2-hr big-screen production. It would certainly be refreshing to see this book done as it is in a movie. Several short stories back to back, it would be a huge change to the motif of a standard film.
--
DAnny
Brett said:
I would agree in general but realisticly, the only pity is that the movie was titled "I, Robot" implying that it was a visual interpretation of the book. As noted in the credits, it was inspired by the stores in the book. And in that aspect, it was fairly portrayed. As an Asimov fan, I thought that the plot line of the movie was very credible as a potential story that Asimov might have written into his book (with a few alterations such as Dr Calvin being 50 yrs younger than she is).
The book, I, Robot is a collection of short stories and doesn't lend itself to a 2-hr big-screen production. It would certainly be refreshing to see this book done as it is in a movie. Several short stories back to back, it would be a huge change to the motif of a standard film.
--
DAnny
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw "I, Robot" on DVD - especially after reading all the negative reviews. There are some nice little nods to several of Asimov's stories and ideas (a "Little Lost Robot" scene near the start, and "...That Thou Art Mindful of Him" near the end, for example). Anyway, to keep on-topic, here's a screenshot of the circuit I mentioned earlier.
(Hopefully, should be an attachment here)
(Hopefully, should be an attachment here)
Attachments
Re: Re: Re: Valve circuit in I, Robot
Sort of agree, but it's a 'fine print' distinction. My comment was more of a general remark about the Hollywood versions of a lot of good books, where the interesting parts of the story are removed simply to get a flowing plot filled with explosions.
Again, sort of agree, as who knows what the late Dr Asimov may have written. I'd have been interested to hear his candid views on the film.
I actually enjoyed the movie as a couple of hours of escapist action fluff, simply wished they didn't cash in on the Asimov name and title (obviously thier intent, otherwise why use it?)
azira said:
Sort of agree, but it's a 'fine print' distinction. My comment was more of a general remark about the Hollywood versions of a lot of good books, where the interesting parts of the story are removed simply to get a flowing plot filled with explosions.
Again, sort of agree, as who knows what the late Dr Asimov may have written. I'd have been interested to hear his candid views on the film.
I actually enjoyed the movie as a couple of hours of escapist action fluff, simply wished they didn't cash in on the Asimov name and title (obviously thier intent, otherwise why use it?)
I agree with you here, except that with a good creative vision, the originals could have translated to celluliod (showing my age eh?) far more closely than this one did. A European filmaker's interpretation would be interesting to see.
Tube circuit
Hi guys
The circuit is the final stages of an AM transmitter.
Top tube is an RF amplifier.
Bottom two tubes are push-pull audio modulator.
Cheers
Rob
Hi guys
The circuit is the final stages of an AM transmitter.
Top tube is an RF amplifier.
Bottom two tubes are push-pull audio modulator.
Cheers
Rob
I and my wife once spent an evening chatting with Isaac and his wife, Janet. Charming man. Knew something about nearly everything and an awful lot about most things.
He was on a panel at a Con I went to. He inadvertently said that the speed of light was 186,000 miles per hour (as opposed to second). Whoo, two guys in the row in front of me started elbowing each other and crowing about how the old geezer didn't know anything after all. I felt like telling them that Isaac's fingernail knew more about science than their entire bodies could hold, but there was no point. Like certain people here, they only wanted to hear their own voices.
Gracious to a fault, the man was.
As for the movie, I can't bring myself to see it. The previews were enough to tell me that the original stories had been gutted. It's a damned shame that Hollywood can't bring themselves to do a project like that the way it ought to be done. Isaac concentrated on plot (rather than characterization--a valid choice, given his particular abilities), which gave his stories a cooler, more cerebral feel than, say, Heinlein, who concentrated on characterization. (Not that Heinlein's books have fared any better on the silver screen.)
One could almost say that Asimov was solid state to Heinlein's tubes.
Setting aside the pleasure I got from reading Isaac's stories, I copped a nifty factoid from him that made its way into the first Victor & Martin story--diamonds burn.
Helluva loss when the man died.
Grey
P.S.: For an extreme example of what can happen to a story as it makes its way from page to screen, check out Fate is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gann. Then see the movie. Basically they used his title and nothing more.
He was on a panel at a Con I went to. He inadvertently said that the speed of light was 186,000 miles per hour (as opposed to second). Whoo, two guys in the row in front of me started elbowing each other and crowing about how the old geezer didn't know anything after all. I felt like telling them that Isaac's fingernail knew more about science than their entire bodies could hold, but there was no point. Like certain people here, they only wanted to hear their own voices.
Gracious to a fault, the man was.
As for the movie, I can't bring myself to see it. The previews were enough to tell me that the original stories had been gutted. It's a damned shame that Hollywood can't bring themselves to do a project like that the way it ought to be done. Isaac concentrated on plot (rather than characterization--a valid choice, given his particular abilities), which gave his stories a cooler, more cerebral feel than, say, Heinlein, who concentrated on characterization. (Not that Heinlein's books have fared any better on the silver screen.)
One could almost say that Asimov was solid state to Heinlein's tubes.
Setting aside the pleasure I got from reading Isaac's stories, I copped a nifty factoid from him that made its way into the first Victor & Martin story--diamonds burn.
Helluva loss when the man died.
Grey
P.S.: For an extreme example of what can happen to a story as it makes its way from page to screen, check out Fate is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gann. Then see the movie. Basically they used his title and nothing more.
GRollins said:
You should see "Starship troopers" then - NO, "satirizing" Heinlein's work doesn't count as a good adaptation.
Atleast it had some nice action scenes.
Unfortunately, I did see that one. The problem with Starship Troopers is that Heinlein's basic concept is controversial. In order to let him make his case you have to give him plenty of room to lay out his points. Only then can you make up your mind whether you agree or disagree with him. With the story line reduced to a "bug hunt" his philosophical thrust gets lost. People think they know what the story is about, but they don't.
For those who are interested in such things, Denise Richards is in this month's Playboy. Her acting abilities--or lack of same--are moot in still photographs.
Something that came to mind regarding the Asimov robot stories was that their brains were 'positronic.' Now, if one assumes that to mean that they used positrons (don't everybody go jumping in my soup--it's been years since I read the stories), then perhaps we can assume that they had ways to keep positrons from behaving rudely. That leads me to thinking in terms of positron vacuum tubes, which would in turn put tubes on a more equal footing with solid state regarding push-pull topologies and such. So what would a stereo from that era sound like?
Food for thought.
Now, if they could only solve the reliability issues, I'd delve whole-heartedly back into tubes.
Grey
For those who are interested in such things, Denise Richards is in this month's Playboy. Her acting abilities--or lack of same--are moot in still photographs.
Something that came to mind regarding the Asimov robot stories was that their brains were 'positronic.' Now, if one assumes that to mean that they used positrons (don't everybody go jumping in my soup--it's been years since I read the stories), then perhaps we can assume that they had ways to keep positrons from behaving rudely. That leads me to thinking in terms of positron vacuum tubes, which would in turn put tubes on a more equal footing with solid state regarding push-pull topologies and such. So what would a stereo from that era sound like?
Food for thought.
Now, if they could only solve the reliability issues, I'd delve whole-heartedly back into tubes.
Grey
Re: Re: Re: Re: Valve circuit in I, Robot
Brett,
I think we're on the same page. Nothing I'll disagree with certainly. I agree I would like to see a foreign remake of this movie and it's a shame to see great (or even good) books get trashed by film.
By the way, for a great Asimov book, look for "The Edge of Tomorrow." It's a series of short stories both fact and fiction about science and VERY entertaining. Infact, I need to get it back so that I can read it again...
--
Danny
Brett said:
Brett,
I think we're on the same page. Nothing I'll disagree with certainly. I agree I would like to see a foreign remake of this movie and it's a shame to see great (or even good) books get trashed by film.
By the way, for a great Asimov book, look for "The Edge of Tomorrow." It's a series of short stories both fact and fiction about science and VERY entertaining. Infact, I need to get it back so that I can read it again...
--
Danny
I agree. Just making conversation.azira said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I churn through novels at a prodigious rate, and that's one I don't recall ever reading. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Currently I'm most of the way through Cherryh's Foreigner series. She's a great author.
During the binges of late night television here in Australia, I came across a movie, somewhere inbetween 2am to 4am... called "Brazil"
It was made in the early 1980's and is about this guy whom lives in a very disturbing buisness-man style metropolis where everyone has to take on paperwork and forms to do even the most simplest of day to day tasks..
Nethertheless, During the begining-mid portion of the film there was a whole heap of fully-operational cabinet vintage television sets!
Later down the track you become introduced to a myriad of desktop computers which look like a mish mash between a typewriter, 1980's IC technology and vacuum tube technology, namely a rectifier tube up the front of the unit...blissfully glowing away...
Imho the movie and storyline is trash, though....
I couldn't stand watching it after about 15 mins...
Up to you guys
It was made in the early 1980's and is about this guy whom lives in a very disturbing buisness-man style metropolis where everyone has to take on paperwork and forms to do even the most simplest of day to day tasks..
Nethertheless, During the begining-mid portion of the film there was a whole heap of fully-operational cabinet vintage television sets!
Later down the track you become introduced to a myriad of desktop computers which look like a mish mash between a typewriter, 1980's IC technology and vacuum tube technology, namely a rectifier tube up the front of the unit...blissfully glowing away...
Imho the movie and storyline is trash, though....
I couldn't stand watching it after about 15 mins...
Up to you guys
I sold props and stuff to the movie Brazil, I remember they
bought a bunch of shrink tubing and hung it up and torched
it in various areas just for an effect.. When selling stuff to
set decoraters they have no idea what there buying, there
after the look and color. At least with Special Effect people
they at least know what will look good on camera and can
make an educated purchase..
Steve @ Apex Jr.
bought a bunch of shrink tubing and hung it up and torched
it in various areas just for an effect.. When selling stuff to
set decoraters they have no idea what there buying, there
after the look and color. At least with Special Effect people
they at least know what will look good on camera and can
make an educated purchase..
Steve @ Apex Jr.
I actually paid money to sit in a theater for Starship Troopers. Gawd. First half was essentially an episode of Beverly Hills 90210, then the last half was generic blow up scene with lots of sheep guts thrown around.
You have just been pierced by a giant claw right through your lung. What next? Walk out of the cave with your boyfriend hugging you. Must hurt a bit.
Doogie Howser/Nazi was just ludicrous.
45-50years ago I loved Heinlein. This was sad.
You have just been pierced by a giant claw right through your lung. What next? Walk out of the cave with your boyfriend hugging you. Must hurt a bit.
Doogie Howser/Nazi was just ludicrous.
45-50years ago I loved Heinlein. This was sad.
I, Robot Plot
Has anyone read the screenplay that was written about these short stories? I remember seeing it in BandNobles and it was more realistic and kept to the actual stories. Of course it wasn't made, something about "StarWars" coming out with the concept of "cute and cuddly" robots.
Al B
Has anyone read the screenplay that was written about these short stories? I remember seeing it in BandNobles and it was more realistic and kept to the actual stories. Of course it wasn't made, something about "StarWars" coming out with the concept of "cute and cuddly" robots.
Al B
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