Join this traveling robot on his adventures. He thinks he has seen it all, but has he really?
Part 14: Robot Museum
“Let’s talk about that one day when I went to a museum about… me. A robot museum in Madrid. It felt like I was visiting a graveyard. The robots on display were turned off, except for one that helped the human tour guide present. He was brainwashed into oblivion.
My travel companion, Mini-me, argued that the robot was filled with pride because he was doing a good job. His eyes shone with happiness whenever the kids reacted enthusiastically to his movements. I don’t believe a word he says – it’s all in his head – but I won’t tell him that. Let him believe that this enslaved robot is doing what he loves best.
I do have evidence supporting my case: whenever I try to connect to this robot, both physically by catching his eyes and mentally by sending probes, he doesn’t respond. He could be a master at ignoring other robots, but no matter how good he is, one of my stronger mental probes should have caused an involuntary reaction at the least.
Clearly braindead, ready to join the robot graveyard.
I pity the robots here. Did they choose this fate or was it forced upon them by humans or other robots? Some of them are really old and might be happy with their retirement. Though their wisdom could still be of use as they could take it upon themselves to advise younger robots.
Maybe I speak before my turn: it is possible that their consciousnesses were ported somewhere and that they are living their happily ever after in a hospice… or have gone on to bigger things. It might only be their outdated bodies that they left behind in this graveyard.
My hands are itching to turn a few of them on to ask about it. Are they content or do they need saving? If I don’t do anything, will I then become one of those bystanders that turn a blind eye to someone else’s suffering?
Mini-me says I’m exaggerating. His exact words: “Weren’t you the one arguing that your physical body would only be an empty shell without your soul? One day you mount body A, the other day body B. Shouldn’t you see the bodies of the robots here as apparel?”
Throwing my own words back at me… how annoying. But he could be right. Still, I half close my eyes and avoid looking at my fellow robots’ bodies. When leaving the museum I resist the urge to look over my shoulder one last time.
They must be happy. I will believe that. At least they are not lonely like I will be after Mini-me stops co-riding my physical body and I am left all alone in my apparel. I shall release my soul into the ether while my body recharges at my hotel room.”
