Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Haley Scholars (Group A1) Rion Amilcar Scott's “The Electric Joy of Service”

By Lakenzie Walls and Howard Rambsy II


Rion Amilcar Scott’s “The Electric Joy of Service,” from his collection of stories The World Doesn’t Require You (2019), focuses on the first-person perspective of a robot named Jim that describes its experiences. The robot’s inventor/Master plots to sell robots based on caricatures of enslaved Black people.

The story includes a few different intriguing twists and turns. At one point, the inventor uploads a virus that will spur a rebellion among The Robotic Personal Helpers (or Riffs). But he determines a different fate for Jim. To ensure that the robot remains content, the Master inventor provides “a gift: a patch to block the disease of history” (46).

What did you find mot fascinating about Scott's story, and why?

163 comments:

Cameron K said...

Its interesting that he's using robots to show us what slavery was like.

Robyanna Fayne said...

“ RF “ I’m in between fascinated and not fascinated it’s like I have so many questions about this passage. It’s more of a I’m interested in why would they sell robots based on black enslaved people? I can’t find my own answer in the passage because I know it’s so much more behide it.

Nija H said...

I find it fascinating that the last moments has Chambers, the professor of loneliness, crowd surfing. An act done at concerts to show that the artist is beloved by fans is used here to unite the people with their hatred.

Jasmine J. said...

What I found most interesting is how he decided to use robots to represent enslaved blacks. Also the part how he put a virus in the other robots to make them go crazy to me it's kind of like he "helped free" them in away.

Cidney C. said...

I found it interesting how the master decided to upload a virus to the other robot slaves and not Jim because the master knew he wouldn't be able to function without a slave. The master would just become hopeless like how he was when he and his wife divorced.

OLUWATOMISIN A. said...

I just find it mad that there are parallels between being a slave and robots in general. The author even said "it's a great ... the master's fault, and that annoyed me because why would you be excited in being held captive. Is that quote showing hints of sarcasm?

Shelby Taylor said...

In the chapter called "Belles Letters" by Nafissa Thompson-Spires. What surprised me the most is there are these two mothers that are having a feud and that there children are acting out towards each other because of it and the mothers don't even realize it. Their daughters names are Fatima and Christinia. What I think is weird that their daughters are both people of color and that their children are one of the only people of color in their school and their fighting over which on is better when they should be getting along and be friends when their children are the only people of color in that school. On page 35 it says, "It is true that lairs who start off young often end up with psychological and social problems of the sort that Christinia has demonstrated over the past years...".
- Shelby Taylor

Taylor Corbin said...

Taylor C. Said
The book to me is interesting because it is comparing robot's and slaves. And not only that but the master uploads a virus to all the robot's execpt his first creation Jim.

Corey A said...

I find it fascinating how he made all these robots and could've done something great with them but instead, he turned them into slave machines and even went as far as painting them to look like slaves.

Naomi B. said...

What I found most fascinating was the fact that he created a robot to represent a slave. In a sad way it makes sense because slaves were treated almost like robots so I understand the comparison. But also in my opinion, it is a little weird. -Naomi B.

Taylor Gray said...

What I found most fascinating about "The Electric Joy of Service" is the whole idea of have a robot slave who actually likes providing service to his master. I also find it interesting how it seems as though the master is nicer to this robot slave than how most masters were in real life to their slaves. Then, when Meranti paid the master for ownership of his business and he event though he was quite wealthy for that and he said he it was never about the money, it made me wonder then what was it about. Why did this upset him so much?

-Taylor Gray

Ehriana . C said...

I found it interesting how this story is futuristic but has a lot of history tied to into it. I feel like the virus that the master created is similar to the jim crow laws seeing that they were both meant to cause destruction upon a population of individuals.

-Ehriana C.

Latavia B. said...

Latavia B.

I find it interesting how the robots were compared to slaves and how history was wiped until they were exposed to it. It reminds me of history today that's taught in schools. Robots and slaves a re a great comparison especially how he described it in the book. They were created to serve and rebelled when they were shown it was wrong.

Stephanie H. said...

I found all 3 stories interesting and the induction of robots dealing with racism and slavery. The whole book created many tones with the horror and realism and slight comedy with each story. It leads the reader to think in many different ways.

Another interesting aspect was the emotion within the robots. Since robots aren't human they should share no emotion but that's no case for this compelling story line. They were programmed to feel one emotion but they are learning to feel others.

Jasmine B. said...

Without a doubt, I found it interesting that the life of a slave and that of a robot are equivalent to each other. But foremost, I also find it to be ridiculous and quite common, frankly, that the only two children that were of color were trying to put each other down instead of being allies. However, seeing as their mother was doing the same thing, it makes sense that the children would follow what they saw.

Harrison B. said...

I found that the shortest story about the robot was the most fascinating. In today's society this robot would be a sensitive subject, but I think it is going to form into an interesting story that needs to be talked about. I found it interesting that the author decided to combine a topic that has been around for years, slavery, with a newer subject, robots. Hopefully this will grab the readers' attention since technology is a big part of our lives today.

Anijah Barringer said...

Anijah B.

“The Electric Joy of Service” by Rion Amilcar Scott was a very unique story that I have never read something like. What I found most satisfying about Scott’s story is how he utilized African-Americans as robots.

Utilizing African-Americans as robots made my eyes open like “Wow that’s really how enslaved people were seen and treated." Which is sad. Scott did a good job with connecting the two.

Kemry H said...

What I found most fascinating is how Scott used the robots to represent the slaves. I also like how he put viruses in the robots, which made them "crazy" because it makes me feel, in a sense, that was his way of setting them free.

Ivan Johnson said...

I found it interesting that the robots were completely okay with being slaves until they were shown why it was wrong. I also found the fact the robot's had some what of emotions very interesting because they're not human.
Ivan Johnson

Alayah D. said...

Seeing how this book is comparing slaves and robots just goes to show how they have quite a few similarities in the way that they were treated unfortunately. Despite how Jim was treated, and his purpose for being created, I noticed that he at least tried to keep a positive attitude with some of the comments that he made like, "My saving grace, I believe, is that I loved to serve." and "When I came to know joy, there was no higher joy than serving."

Kamari Washington said...

In the story "Belles Letter" it gave me surprising insight to how a civil conversation, can quickly spiral into a terrifying argument between two adults over good intentions. What I thought would be a normal conversation soon turned into a heated fight to dispute who's daughter was in the wrong, completely turning the attention from the daughters to the mother's themselves. It was awful to see that situation grow until both daughters fought and risked expulsion, but it was what the mothers needed to realize they needed to settle their differences and help their daughters grow to be friends, not enemies.

Marcus G. said...

I find this passage very interesting. This imagery of robots being slaves is like something I have never seen or heard before. This is actually very symbolic due to the sense of enslaved people almost being forced to act like robots, due to them having to serve their "master" no matter the circumstances.
This also proves the fact that enslaved people weren't even treated humanely, just like how we treat robots.

Tashauri F. said...

What I found fascinating is robots being slaves because usually we are not given an alternative to represent slaves and the fact that robots are used is interesting. Once I was shown the comparison between the two it brought me to realization how alike robots and slaves are, the only difference was robots didn't have feelings until they received a "virus" which made them rebel against their masters.

Tashauna F. said...

I found it interesting that the robot was aware of why it was built, it was built to replace the slaves and expand humanity. The master suggested, “Let’s paint these [robots] black. Give them big red lips; dress them like lawn jockeys. Sell them to white folks. They’ll have slaves again and we’ll be rich.”(44)
These robots were even conditioned to act and talk like the African American slaves once did.

Tanija R. said...

The most interesting thing about Scott's story is how he used the robots to describe slavery. How he combined the similarities between the two is something I have never seen before.

Jasmine D said...

I found this section pretty interesting because the master came up with the plan but his friends betrayed him and kicked him out of the project. The master then retaliated and made it to where most of the "robots" malfunctioned and, in some cases, killing their owners.
The master also made it to where his first creation didn't contract the virus.
Jasmine D

Starr C said...

What I found the most interesting about the section was the viewpoint of the robot at the end. Even with the "virus" blocked he still knew what was happening to others and felt a type of "anger". And even after everything that happened he never was angry at the mast but just wanted to fell anger again.

Starr C

Elizabeth A. said...

It's the irony of the story that I find the most interesting, the supposed maker of the robots is the one suffering when he doesn't see what he's currently doing is wrong. Then the killing robots are antagonized for going on the revolt and murder spree, but the irony of it all is that they were all programmed to react that way. They are what they are, robots, and all their actions, from the narrator robot to all the robots that were talked about, were all controlled and programmed. And it shows how it connects to slavery, at the end of the day the hold and control that masters had on their slaves is being presented.

Elizabeth A.

Marlon C said...

I think I am more-so in the middle of being fascinated and not fascinated simply because it saddens me to talk about back then and all the slavery that went on. However, I do find it very fascinating and interesting that a guy made a robot that represent black enslaved people. He wanted the robots to represent black people so bad, he even painted the robots. Him making robots corresponds to real slaves because often times they were treated like robots.

Tamia Goodlow said...

Overall this story was a bit fascinating to me. From that fact that robots were even being used in the first place, to the fact he turned them into slaves. Comparing the two in general blew my mind, but I like that the robots got their emotions.

Jenaya G. said...

I think the most interesting thing about this story was the story was historical but also futuristic. It was a sad story but the twist about the Master uploading a virus was something I really did not expect to happen. At the end of the story it seemed like the only person that somewhat benefited from the whole thing was Jim which was also interesting.


Jenaya G.

Unknown said...

Alexis Davis said....


What I found most interesting is how he decided to use robots to represent enslaved blacks. I also found it interesting how the master decided to upload a virus to the other robot slaves and not Jim because the master knew he wouldn't be able to function without a slave. It seems like the master only has the slaves to show that he is powerful because he has slaves under his so-called “ power”. Without them then he is pretty much nothing. The master would just become hopeless like how he was when he and his wife divorced.

McKenna C. said...

What I found most interesting are the parallels between this story and what's been surrounding black people for the longest time... oppression. This story makes me think about how sometimes we can become robots in a sense, by going through life with the same routines and never truly breaking free of an oppressed state brought on by our white counterparts. However, LNJ1 was in competition with himself, which is what I think I must do to stay ahead in today's society.

McKenna C.

Carmesha Johnson said...


Carmesha J.
What i found most fascinating was how jim was so joyful about serving but then was trying to look for the diseases he said "I needed that, if only for another moment". Something he never had before is now what he needs.

Niate Kina said...

What I found most interesting was that he was able to create and program a robot to do whatever he pleased. More specifically, he was able to give it its own tongue (dialect) similar to that of an African American’s. I do find this severely racist, but he was met by karma when he wasn’t able to profit from his creation. Thus, led him to his impulsive idea to create a virus spread across all riffs. Honestly, that was pretty intriguing because who would’ve guessed that he had that much power.

Niate Kina said...

What I found most interesting was that he was able to create and program a robot to do whatever he pleased. More specifically, he was able to give it its own tongue (dialect) like that of an African American’s. I do find this severely racist, but he was met by karma when he wasn’t able to profit from his creation. Thus, led him to his impulsive idea to create a virus spread across all riffs. Honestly, that was intriguing because who would’ve guessed that he had that much power.

Unknown said...

Damilola Adebisi

In the "Electric Joy of service," I thought it was interesting and sad. The robot's only job was to enjoy caring about his "master" need this showed an example of slavery. Furthermore, he went as far as to changing the robot's appearance and accent to fit what he believed to be a stereotypical slave.

Jercura K. said...

The most interesting thing about the passage was the description of the black robot slave. Jim was described as a black, big red lipped, lawn jockey dressed slave. This is interesting because not only does it show how white people characterized black slaves back then, but also how the stereotypes of how black people are supposed to look come into play.

(At first I was kind of confused as to who the author was because I thought he was the masters son and was confused as to why he kept referring to himself as robotic but I reread it and figured it out).

Jercura K.

Jonathan Gamble said...

Jonathan Gamble
Overall this story was extremely interesting. I've never read a story like this before. What I found most interesting about the story was how Robots were used as enslaved African Americans. The fact that the robots had emotions was mind blowing.

Jayda A said...

Its fascinating that they are using robots that exemplify black people & slavery.

Damilola said...

Damilola Adebisi
I thought it was interesting and sad. The master's only reason for creating this robot was to enjoy caring for him. I believe the author compared how enslaved African American were seen as. furthermore, The designer of this robot went as far as exaggerating black people's features which was racially motivated. This robot was a way to demonetize and dehumanize black people.

Amy Descollines said...

When I was reading the book the most fascinating thing that caught my eyes was when he started comparing slaves to robots. To me, that was so weird because how are humans and robots alike. What really got me was how we found out that only Jim didn't have the virus I wanted to know why what made him so special.

Kendall B. said...

It's interesing how the robots related so well to the history slavery and the physical description of slaves in general. The idea of the master controlling the robots is sick and is really sensitive to the African American community , the robots having the physical description just made it 10x worst.

-Kendall B

Shaquerria Cole said...

It was fascinating to me that since the Master's way of selling the Riffs didn't go as planned, he gave them all the slavery virus, even his robot Jim, because he was upset. He then realized that Jim was the one doing everything for him so he gave him a blocker so he could continue to serve him and he not be worried about him wanting to kill him like some of the other Riffs did to their masters. However, at times Jim wanted to go back in time to gain back the virus. This could have been because it was in his nature as a slave.

Stefani F said...

What was most fascinating about this passage was that the master thought that it was okay to make replicas of slaves as if African American people weren't set free for a reason. It's crazy to me because the fact that people bought these remakes is crazy to me because it shows how many people still want slavery to be an active thing. The fact that this man had to send a virus (out of spite) to the robots to tell them the truth about how their owners feel about them and their robots turning on the buyers to make them realize that they shouldn’t be doing what they were doing this is wrong.

Jordan Brawley said...

I found it really interesting how he used robots to represent slaves in slavery. I found it interesting because I feel like robots and slaves are very similar when it comes to slavery. The only difference one is a robot and the other is a human being with feelings and emotions.

Joi Espy said...

I found this story very interesting because of the comparrison to robots and slaves, you would never think to compare the two but somehow they do still go hand in hand with one another. This book allows us to view slavery from a different point of view, When Scott explains how some "slaves" would try and turn on the Master, they would rip out their Internal Network and turn them into a hunk of metal, this book allows us to see how white Americans will treat you no matter what day in age.

Tonia Estes said...

The fact that Scott used robots to show modern day slavery was very interesting. Although, it was even more interesting how no one questioned this or disagreed with the concept, just the looks. The robotic features were dehumanizing to African Americans.

- Tonia Estes

Anaya Jones said...

the fact that Scott used robots to feel an inner void that he couldn't feel himself, that how I take it. You see in the story Scott said "for you my little nigger, a gift a patch to block the diseases of history, I don't find that fascinating at all I'm just curious on who thought and agreed that this was the okay thing to do?

Anonymous said...

The thing that i found most interesting is when the robots gained the human emotion of being enslaved which made them go berserk. It showed that nobody should ever be treated this way at all. This also reminded me of a game called Detroit:Become Human where the robots were just like the ones in the story and once they got human emoitions, they went rogue because they wanted to be treated as equals to humans instead of being slaves to them.

-TJ Hunter

Anaya Jones said...

the fact that Scott used robots to feel an inner void that he couldn't feel himself, that how I take it. You see in the story Scott said "for you my little nigger, a gift a patch to block the diseases of history, I don't find that fascinating at all I'm just curious on who thought and agreed that this was the okay thing to do?


-Anaya J

Allana Burton said...

What I found most fascinating is how robots were used to represent the slaves. The reason I found this the most fascinating is because I feel as though slave owners did believe that they were robots and had no emotion but that was incorrect and they were regular people who felt the same emotions as them.

Layla B. said...

I found most interesting about The Electric Joy of Service is that they tried to replace human slaves with robot slaves. I found it fascinating when the robots started to revolt against their master and killing them because of a virus that made them understand what their master's thought of them.

Jaliyah J said...

What found most interesting was When the master gave the virus out to the robots because he was mad. But the virus ended up backfiring on him because it allowed the robots to be smarter. They thought the robots were just going to work for them without a bad outcome. Also the comparing they had the robots to slavery.

Jaliyah J said...

What I found the most interesting was the slave backfiring on the master. He gave them a virus because he was mad. Little did he know that virus made them smarter. Also the comparison to slavery and the robots.

Arieona B. said...

What I found most fascinating was the master’s mindset and thought process. Although it was racist of him to create slave robots that were a mockery of black people, in my opinion it was creative and a better alternative than enslaving actual human beings. He had a master plan that would’ve been very successful in this time period had he gotten to the Merratti Inc. first. Then to sabotage every Riff through a virus was very well calculated revenge on his former partners. He could've gotten revenge any other way but he chose this instead.The Master’s mindset was at another level and I found that fascinating.
- Arieona B.

Anonymous said...

What I find most fascinating about Scott’s story was the use of the robots to represent the enslaved black people. Also the use of a virus to represent them fighting back against their masters together. This is fascinating because I feel this is how they viewed enslaved people back then as something that could easily be replaced or thrown away as they did the robots.
-Airika C

Shelbe D said...

I liked how the author used robots as slaves to depict a story even non living things want to be free, no creature deserves bondage. Eventually some will grow tired, and fight for their freedom and others won’t. Lastly, this chapter gave me I, Robot movie vibes the robot also started an uprising same as in the book because of a virus.
-Shelbe D

Ehijie.I said...

What I found most fascinating about Scott's story is the need for him to upload a virus to the 'riffs' allowing them to have a conciseness. The virus he uploaded allowed the riffs to know they're slaves and what their masters think about them. The riffs now knowing what they are in the world wanted to be free like Scott had predicted. They began to revolt against their masters across the country forcing a revolution similar to the "Great Insurrection". Scott didn't have to make a code for the robots to know what they are, but I think he chose too out of some type of guilt for what he had originally created to be help around the house had been corrupted and used for a more malicious purpose.
- Ehijie I.

Nia Jackson said...

I find it interesting how the master thought history was a disease and that my keeping from Jim it saved him. its also interesting how Jim knew that no matter what that virus or history was somewhere in him.

Nia Jackson said...

I find it interesting how the master thought history was a disease and that my keeping from Jim it saved him. its also interesting how Jim knew that no matter what that virus or history was somewhere in him.

Nia Jackson said...

I find it interesting how Jim was preventing from having the disease of history. It's also very interesting that no matter what he still wanted to know history and that some how it was still apart of him

Aaron Crawford said...

What fascinated me about this short story was the dynamic of the robot. It was something I haven't really seen before and was an interesting and creative take on . The story is somewhat deep to me because when you think about it, slave owners probably looked at slaves as actual robots for real. Something that is materialistic and can always be replaced with the right resources.

-Aaron Crawford

Ruth B. said...

After reading "The Electric Joy of Service", I thought that it was strange how they had robots basically as slaves. The whole metaphor behind the idea was mind blowing because it's horrible saying that enslaved people were robots. But it was interesting to hear the point of view from the robot reading the story. Also, the virus situation was mind blowing.

La'Niya Gordon said...

what i most fascinating about they story is how he used robots, slaves and robots can be bery similar when it comes to controlling. Also, how the virus made them see how badly they were really getting treated, because without it they probably wouldn't have known.

Colette Jackson said...

The thing that I found most interesting about this chapter was the connection the author sought out between the master and his robots to The master and black enslaved people. I felt as if using the imagery of robots to express the idea of slavery and how it was seen through the white eye was an interesting descriptive way to show the reader. It was also interesting to me when he stated that they could make it any race almost as if races,specifically minority races,are just there to serve, like a robot would. The virus was also another interesting addition making it seem as when the slaves eventually got tired and tried to run and be free it was a "virus" that couldn't be stopped, almost making us as black people the aggressors. The robots emotion s at the end and wanting to feel the rage the "infected" felt was very real and raw because even inhumane things have the right to not be "programmed" a certain way. This chapter was great in connection to todays and past times, we as black people shouldn't be controlled by society's standards nor by the majority in the world just because its our "KNOWN PAST" or how we are expected to act.- Colette Jackson

Kennedy J. said...

The most fascinating part of this story to me was how the audience got to interpret why robots were used instead of people and if that was appropriate or not. Masters saw their slaves as "things" they could force to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted similar to how a robot is programmed to do whatever. It was also interesting to see how the robots outsmarted them with the virus. That was an unexpected turn that was well needed to advance the plot.

Unknown said...

What I found interesting was how the master gave the virus to the robots just because he was upset. But karma is real because it backfired allowing the robots to be smarter than him. Another thing that was interesting is how it was viewed as enslaved people.
- Marina B.

Tomia B. said...

What I found the most fascinating about the passage is the fact that Scott did his own twist on "freeing slaves". Putting the virus in the robots, giving them realization of their reality brought me joy. The robots finally had a chance to stand up for themselves and express their true emotion. Scott gave the robot's the power to fight back when needed, and that stood out to me the most.

Kevin Dillard said...

The chapter had an interesting sci-fi/historic atmosphere in it. Definitely a new setting and approach that I have ever read before.

Kevin D.

Tomia B. said...

Another thing I found the most fascinating was how he made the comparison of slaves and robots to be equivalent. Slaves were people and Scott disrespect them just by comparing them. Giving the robots the virus allow them to do what he prevented them from doing for so long. Giving them that "freedom" that they did not even know they needed.

Ari (Arielle). J said...

What I found interesting about the story is that the inventor wanted to upload a virus to the robots in order to reboot them and make them want freedom. I thought the whole point of the robots was to have the "perfect" slave, while taking the inhumane aspect out of it. It mind boggles me that he went through effort to make the robots, sell them, then destory his own creation, while also holding on to the fact that his own slave robot would remain loyal to him because of something special he could give him...I really dont know how much more stupid the inventor could be and the sad part of it all was that he used his intelligence to do something inhumane, evil and a waste of everybody's time instead of idk, building rockets, creating elements, maybe making effective tools for farming without REPEATING history

Clinton Baker said...

What I found most interesting is that the slaves are being related to robots, another thing was how the slaves were apologizing for their "robotic movements" and how the master decided to give the virus to the robots because of his hatred.

Unknown said...

I personally am a fan of the story especially the twists and turn. Especially how Jim for most of the story was unaware that he was a slave and was happy doing what he was doing. But what I loved the most was the robots rebelling against humans I thought that was interesting.
-David Bankole

Unknown said...

I found it interesting and surprising how much this story reminded me of a movie I have just recently watched. The movie, Antebellum, played with the idea of what modern day slavery would look like if it were right under our noses. Like the robots master/inventor, the masters of the "plantation" in Antebellum wanted to repeat the history of slavery. In both stories, the masters wanted to appeal to the upperclass while also taking advantage of those who they saw as less than.

- Camille B.

Amber Dixon said...

What I found most interesting was the relation of slavery to robots. i found that unique and different. By giving the robots viruses, it made them do exactly what was required of them.

Tamya Goodlow said...

What I found most interesting about the passage was the equivalence between slaves and robots. I also enjoyed the author's version of freeing the robots by putting the virus in them.

Aminah H. said...

I found it very interesting of how in Scott's story, they portrayed slaves as robots and gave a description of how slavery was for the readers to get an intake of the actual history. It was interesting how the robotic "slaves" enjoyed slavery and had no idea of the truth behind it and its's very sad that this was reality back when slavery was in current. It's very interesting how this passage relates and ties back to slavery as the robots had a rebellion as actual slaves did to become free of their masters.

Anonymous said...

The thing I found Interesting was that Scott put slavery in a futuristic way. Also how he uploaded a virus to every robot, but put a block in his. Also the robots had names such as "Nigger jim", "Cracker jim", "Wetback jim". He used what he knew to make racial robots that ended up killing their "owners". I feel that was real sinister and evil.

- LaShawn D.

Shakyiah C said...

I find it interesting that the master wanted to make them look like black people in the first place. One thing I love about this story is that you never get to know the race of the master. You are left to imagine his race for yourself. Either you believe his is black, white, or any other race it. Is surprising that someone would think of using robots like that. Just like Lucas and Winston, I thought he was joking and he probably was at first. Until started to think more into and how he could profit off of it.

Bria Brandon said...

I also found it interesting how robots could be incorporated with slavery , this just creates a uniqueness within telling the story of slavery so that it can be fully comprehended.

-Bria Brandon

Justin Burns said...

I found it extremely interesting to read the contrast the author created between slaves and robots! It almost reminds me of a netflix show that makes twilight zone robot thrillers. Watching him put together robots to be racist and "ignore" certain things was a very interesting thing to see. Almost as if it's attempting to be metaphoric for our society.

-Justin B.

Unknown said...

I found it interesting how the author intertwined slavery and robots in one story. It's also demonstrating and showing the readers on slavery but he put his own twist into it with the robots and the virus and freedom. It's a whole little twist to the book.

-Anjeal J

Makayla Jones said...

What I found interesting in “the electric joy of service “is how robots we’re compared to slaves Comparing their replaceability and lack of human worth from their masters and/or society. Another thing that was interesting was how the virus Gave the robots freedom that they didn’t know they wanted/needed, thus further comparing to black people being born into slavery and only knowing captivity and then getting their own freedom that they didn’t know they wanted/needed.

Niylah Edwards said...

In "the Electric Joy of Service" I found the robot very interesting. The robot is being portrayed as a slave through appearance and name callings, and how the robot spoke. But the robot was not treated as bad as a slave with things such as abuse. Even though the robot felt joy serving the master, he wanted to feel what the RIFF robots were feeling too the rage of revenge. It was also very interesting to know that robots had emotions and feelings. When the virus was planted it made them angry and want to revolt against their masters. They truly knew what they thought about them and the reason they were built.
-Niylah Edwards

Kambria Childress said...

Kambria C said...

I found it very interesting how the author depicted the robot as what you would believe to be a slave. The master making those robots look and speak how slaves did at that time, and describing the emotions of the robot was really surprising to me.

Taylor Corbin said...

Taylor C. Said
One thing that caught my eye was when the book said that if the master had been a person able to give or receive love he never would have been created. And that he was born of the masters desire to be free. And that they compared that to slaves I thought that was interesting.

Unknown said...

I found it interesting that the master did not install the virus into his own Robot. Even though he knew a little bit he wanted to him him ignorant and lacking of knowledge that would prevent him from doing anything due to his need for him still. This is interesting because it keeps the element of control there and in a way keeps the robot reliable. Even though the master is the one that is really in need.

Sheena C said...

What really fascinated me about this short story by Scott was the intentional comparison between robot creation and human enslavement. Primarily, the master created the robot so that he can replace his wife who used to do all the small chores. This creates a subliminal message about gender stereotypes and gender inequality because he replaced his wife for a robot. Given the history of woman, one could relate that she was also being enslaved by him since he did not treat her like a human. Dehumanization is a common concept when making human slaves. Normally we view robot creation and human enslavement as two separate ideas. We do not usually relate robot mistreatment to how we mistreat people, but this short story presented the desire for slaves especially of people of color and poor white people through robots. The master did say that they could make robots of difference ethnicities like an Asian robot, a Mexican robot, and a “cracker” robot; a slur directed towards poor white people. On the other hand, Scott could also be trying to explain how rich and middle-class white men desire to keep everyone else in their control not necessarily keeping them as slaves.
-Sheena C.

Anonymous said...

What really fascinated me about this short story by Scott was the intentional comparison between robot creation and human enslavement. Primarily, the master created the robot so that he can replace his wife who used to do all the small chores. This creates a subliminal message about gender stereotypes and gender inequality because he replaced his wife for a robot. Given the history of woman, one could relate that she was also being enslaved by him since he did not treat her like a human. Dehumanization is a common concept when making human slaves. Normally we view robot creation and human enslavement as two separate ideas. We do not usually relate robot mistreatment to how we mistreat people, but this short story presented the desire for slaves especially of people of color and poor white people through robots. The master did say that they could make robots of difference ethnicities like an Asian robot, a Mexican robot, and a “cracker” robot; a slur directed towards poor white people. On the other hand, Scott could also be trying to explain how rich and middle-class white men desire to keep everyone else in their control not necessarily keeping them as slaves.
-Sheena C.

Anonymous said...

What really fascinated me about this short story by Scott was the intentional comparison between robot creation and human enslavement. Primarily, the master created the robot so that he can replace his wife who used to do all the small chores. This creates a subliminal message about gender stereotypes and gender inequality because he replaced his wife for a robot. Given the history of woman, one could relate that she was also being enslaved by him since he did not treat her like a human. Dehumanization is a common concept when making human slaves. Normally we view robot creation and human enslavement as two separate ideas. We do not usually relate robot mistreatment to how we mistreat people, but this short story presented the desire for slaves especially of people of color and poor white people through robots. The master did say that they could make robots of difference ethnicities like an Asian robot, a Mexican robot, and a “cracker” robot; a slur directed towards poor white people. On the other hand, Scott could also be trying to explain how rich and middle-class white men desire to keep everyone else in their control not necessarily keeping them as slaves.
-Sheena C.

Muhammed Aboderin said...

The most fascinating part of Scott's story was when the Master uploaded the virus to all the robots. I thought that it was amazing how these robots were sentient enough to understand what being a slave was and began an uprising.

Sheena C. said...

What really fascinated me about this short story by Scott was the intentional comparison between robot creation and human enslavement. Primarily, the master created the robot so that he can replace his wife who used to do all the small chores. This creates a subliminal message about gender stereotypes and gender inequality because he replaced his wife for a robot. Given the history of woman, one could relate that she was also being enslaved by him since he did not treat her like a human. Dehumanization is a common concept when making human slaves. Normally we view robot creation and human enslavement as two separate ideas. We do not usually relate robot mistreatment to how we mistreat people, but this short story presented the desire for slaves especially of people of color and poor white people through robots. The master did say that they could make robots of difference ethnicities like an Asian robot, a Mexican robot, and a “cracker” robot; a slur directed towards poor white people. On the other hand, Scott could also be trying to explain how rich and middle-class white men desire to keep everyone else in their control not necessarily keeping them as slaves.
-Sheena C

Raven Dewalt said...

What I found interesting about this story, is how he used the robots to enslave African Americans. The way the author described the features of the robot was crazy. This shows slavery in a different way. For example a robot doesn't know he or she is a slave unless they maker gives them those abilities to know, but a human does and they show it through emotions. When the master planted the virus and gave the robots access to what their masters thought, and felt towards them they started to rebel and kill. This is kind of a repeat of history to me, just in a different point of view.

Raven Dewalt.... I posted my comment earlier, I just forgot to put my name

Raven Dewalt said...

What I found interesting about this story, is how he used the robots to enslave African Americans. The way the author described the features of the robot was crazy. This shows slavery in a different way. For example a robot doesn't know he or she is a slave unless they maker gives them those abilities to know, but a human does and they show it through emotions. When the master planted the virus and gave the robots access to what their masters thought, and felt towards them they started to rebel and kill. This is kind of a repeat of history to me, just in a different point of view.

Raven Dewalt... I posted my comment earlier, I just for to leave my name and it says anonymous

Unknown said...

I found it interesting how the author intertwined slavery and robots. Also how he made the robots get a virus so they can be free. Or gain that sense of freedom. In which he made the story informational but at the same time interesting with adding the robots.

-Anjeal J

Anonymous said...

What really fascinated me about this short story by Scott was the intentional comparison between robot creation and human enslavement. Primarily, the master created the robot so that he can replace his wife who used to do all the small chores. This creates a subliminal message about gender stereotypes and gender inequality because he replaced his wife for a robot. Given the history of woman, one could relate that she was also being enslaved by him since he did not treat her like a human. Dehumanization is a common concept when making human slaves. Normally we view robot creation and human enslavement as two separate ideas. We do not usually relate robot mistreatment to how we mistreat people, but this short story presented the desire for slaves especially of people of color and poor white people through robots. The master did say that they could make robots of difference ethnicities like an Asian robot, a Mexican robot, and a “cracker” robot; a slur directed towards poor white people. On the other hand, Scott could also be trying to explain how rich and middle-class white men desire to keep everyone else in their control not necessarily keeping them as slaves.
Sheena C.

Demeyah J said...

What I found most interesting about this story is that this master made a robot because his wife divorced him and left him to to the "small sense dulling tasks of daily necessity." he gave the robots characteristics of an enslaved black person but I don't think it was just for blacks because he said they can have little Asian Jim's, little Wetback Jim's and little Cracker Jim's" it gets you thinking about the race of the master.

Anonymous said...

What I find interesting is the correlation between the robots and slaves. Also another thing that stood out to me is the masters and how we don’t honestly know their ethic.
Zion H

H. Rambsy said...

I thought that it was crazy how he thought it was ok to make a robot slave to begin. Then when karma bit him in the butt, he decided to use the robots to his advantage. Because he got screwed over, he thought it would be a good idea to have all the other robots turn on their masters. Overall, my thoughts, do not like the guy. --Maya Chapman

Unknown said...

I think the most interesting aspect of this reading is the fact that the master made the robot slaves resemble African slaves and that it was okay with everyone else. I feel like more people should have been outraged with what he was doing and had him shut everything down. Racism should not be okay. Overall, I did not like this short story.---Kiarra Chark

Kiarra Chark said...

I found it interesting that the master was able to create the robot slaves and make them resemble stereotypical Africans and it was okay with everyone else. Racism is not okay and he should have been shut down. Considering this story takes place in the future it makes the reader consider the idea that racism will never go away. --kiarra chark

Scott Freeman said...

First and foremost for this story to be a couple of pages it has a lot going on. You have cyborgs, robots that resemble enslaved black people, and underlying themes. What caught my attention was that in the story the robots creator said he can make any preferred race. While the enslavement of Africans is probably the most known and talked about this comment by the creator just goes to show that there many other races that experience slavery.
-Scott Freeman IV

Anonymous said...

For me the thing I found the most interesting was how the robots literally act as a metaphor as to how African Americans were treated as slaves. And also how Jim's creator called Jim's censored history "A gift". It was indeed "a gift" because it mainly helped the creator.
-Chidi Anyamele

Anonymous said...

I do not know if I approve of this comparison of robots and slaves. Robots do not have human emotions so they could not know right away that what they were doing was wrong. Slaves who actually had to endure this, felt everything. I do applaud the effort of the writer, for trying to explain the things they had “in common”. -Nadia G.

Erin Myers said...

I found it interesting about the idea that after the Masters got divorced from his wife, that he created a robotic slave to do task that a women would do instead of finding another wife. I know in those times it was very common for a master to get another wife quickly after his old one either passed or gotten divorced. But instead of finding a new wife or even have a female slave robot, he chose to make a male robot, to do all of the tasks that he wants him to do, he states, "With his wife no longer there to complete those tasks, the Master had to manufacture someone to carry them out." This is evidence that the robot was created to do all task even jobs that women would normally do. -Thiane D.

Anonymous said...

When reading “the electric joy your service”, the part that caught my eye, was when the master said,” Let’s just paint these f*** black. Give them big red lips; dress them like lawn jockeys. Sell them to white folks. They’ll have slaves again and we’ll get rich. Nobody gets hurt. This caught my eye because it was interesting how there where going to use robots as slaves like in the late 1700’s

Lashae C. said...

Lashae C.

Opening this book I had no idea what to expect and then as I began reading I noticed the use of the word “master”. I figured this book was being written about a master and his slave. Although that is what this chapter is about it’s not the usual master and slave. The slave Is narrating most of this chapter and in the fourth paragraph we come to the realization that the slave is a robot in modern times. This threw me for a whirl. This chapter is just nonchalantly introducing readers to a man who created a business of robots who can be slaves to anyone. I think that’s disturbing, but also interesting to be reading about in this day and age. In the chapter it is discussed that a virus was tapped into other robots which made them violent and they revolted and killed their masters, but this robot does not have that because his master blocked the disease from his system. The last paragraph reads, “Many times a day, though, as I serve the Master, I search my system to tap into that virus. I know it’s in me somewhere. Those alternating currents and colors of blessed rage. To again feel that purple rush coursing through my nigger-receptors. I need that, if only for another moment.” Based off of this quote I assume the robot does not enjoy serving his master and he has all intent to kill him, but he cannot because it isn’t in his system. I believe this robot will somehow outsmart his master and eventually cause a great revolution between the masters and the slaves.

Deborah Adekale said...

I found it fascinating that he use robots to represent slaves only because in those days slave owners saw their slaves as property not people so and him using robots it kind of made sense to me and seemed like a great way to convey his message
-Deborah Adekale

Indya Howard said...

This story not only shocked but also surprised me. The comparison of robot slaves may be controversial, but I think it's an interesting look at the past and future. I say this because the robots assisting their masters alludes to the future of technology taking over, while the robots impersonating slaves alludes to the past and how before technology, people did the work for their "masters". It was, in my opinion, a very good assessment of where we are now. - Indya H.

Deborah Adekale said...

I found it fascinating that he use robots to represent slaves only because in those days slave owners saw their slaves as property not people so and him using robots it kind of made sense to me and seemed like a great way to convey his message
-Deborah Adekale

Erin Myers said...

I found it fascinating that the master was able to send a virus to all of the robots, I found this fascinating because some of them had even gone as far as murdering which was very surprising." -Damya Evans

Erin Myers said...

When reading “the electric joy your service”, the part that caught my eye, was when the master said,” Let’s just paint these f*** black. Give them big red lips; dress them like lawn jockeys. Sell them to white folks. They’ll have slaves again and we’ll get rich. Nobody gets hurt. This caught my eye because it was interesting how there where going to use robots as slaves like in the late 1700’s. In contrast it somewhat disappointed me to see people still think like that still to this day. -Neville Green

David Gaines said...

Something that caught my eye was how they were able to compare robots to slaves. The robots were able to figure out that what they were doing was not right and they stopped.

Unknown said...

it was interesting to e how they were able to compare robots to slaves.

Unknown said...

David Gaines- it was interesting to me how they were able to compare slaves to robots. Once the robots figured out what they were doing was wrong they stopped.

Erin Myers said...

I found it interesting that the master did not install the virus into his own Robot. Even though he knew a little bit he wanted to him him ignorant and lacking of knowledge that would prevent him from doing anything due to his need for him still. This is interesting because it keeps the element of control there and in a way keeps the robot reliable. Even though the master is the one that is really in need.
-Memory Jacobs (October 1, 2021 at 11:08 PM)

Amber Dixon said...

This is Mines Amber Dixon, I guess I forgot to put my name

Chloe Hatcher said...

What I found most interesting was how the author connected something futuristic to something in the past. Using robots to represent slaves was a really interesting approach to me. Having all the robots turn on their masters and killing them except his also gets me wandering. Thinking what does this mean?


Erin Myers said...

I found this book interesting because Jim exactly knows what he’s doing and what’s his purpose. It’s crazy how he showed good examples how slaves were treated. He presented how masters were controlling the slave minds back then. Slaves were treated the same way as robots. I truly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn a good example how slaves were treated back then. -Demoriay Davis

Erin Myers said...

I found several things about this passage quite fascinating. I often found myself questioning what every character or theme represented. Of all the interesting themes in this passage, two stuck with me. When the electric holocaust caused a majority of the slave robots to be “inoperable” and “just hunks of metal”, I wondered if they represented generations of black names and identities forever lost and forgotten as a side affect of slavery. The second theme that intrigued me was Jim’s character as a whole, but specifically when he says “I search my system to tap into that virus. I know it’s in me somewhere. Those alternating currents and colors of blessed rage”. This quote says so much and circled around my brain for a while until I thought, maybe the author is saying that with the electrical surge the master got the robots (black slaves) and their history to disappear, and along with that erased their language so that they would no longer be able to even communicate their history. Jim, with this line becomes the hope, because he was allowed to keep the history, and the virus is in him. Maybe that means something about an untapped, “blessed rage” is in all of us? All in all the most fascinating aspect of this passage are all the different ways it can be interpreted. I had my thoughts and ideas but maybe someone else thought something completely different. That’s it’s impact.

-Itangishatse Bujeni (September 30, 2021 at 11:04 AM B)

Alexi J. said...

(Repost) The most fascinating part of this story was that the robot wanted to feel the rage again. It seemed as though the robot never felt any real emotion besides joy from serving. The moment he felt something different he wanted to keep feeling it, despite the emotion being negative. -Alexi Jackson

Eric Friends said...

I think it was interesting how robots were used to portray the slaves and and that the virus was used to represent the truth about their history. I also found it fascinating that he became sort of an abolitionist for the robots and helped them attempt to revolt against their masters. It was a creative way to show how people used to help the slaves back in the day.

Erin Myers said...

Amoya Bent:

I find it interesting that the robots were connected to slaves. They had been programmed for that purpose yet rebelled when exposed to the truth.

Jordan Lance Allen said...

"The Electric Joy of Service"

It's interesting how this chapter portrays slaves during the 16th through 19th centuries. In some cases, robots can be considered slaves themselves too especially if they were being mistreated; however, simply by knowing the ideology of slaves, can drive a robot like the Riffs to murder their owners. This seems almost unlikely because robots' emotions can be fixed to a specific algorithm but that same algorithm can implement instructions to act on certain situations.

Chanel Battle said...

I think what was most interesting to me was how they made robots be slaves and what I also found interesting was how the robots had feelings it’s like they could feel emotions. I found that most interesting because how can you program a nonliving thing to have human like traits.

Alex Childs said...

Alex Childs
Upon opening this book the first thing that caught my eye was the emphasized cover. On it stood a black male with his arms out in front of him and I wasn't sure exactly what he was doing. After reading I found some rather interesting comparisons. They used robots to portray slaves. Now I thought this was an interesting take making robots that have a secretive meaning behind them. I also noticed that the history behind the robots was disguised as a virus of some sort. Overall this was very interesting and definitely blew my mind more than I ever expected.

Julaia Cook said...

Julaia Cook
The thing that caught my attention is in the book when it said that it is all god plan. God had a plan for everyone life even his own life. Also what I had found interested is the part about when the robots was doing all the hard work but they also had feelings just like regular people did. Also I liked when they was talking about recreating freedom for slaves. In all I think this was a great book to read I recommend the book to a lot of people.

Julaia Cook said...

Julaia Cook
What I found interesting about the book is that it is all about god plan and how god plan work. Also what I found interesting is that they had robots has servants instead of real people. Also I did also feel bad for the robots because how hard they had to work and they had feelings too. I also like when they said they are trying to recreate freedom for slaves. One thing I can say is that I recommend this book to everyone.

Julaia Cook said...

Julaia Cook
What I thought about the book was when they said its all about god plan and how you follow god plan. I also felt bad when they had robots working as servants because robots have feelings just like humans have feelings. I also liked when they was talking about recreating freedom for slaves.
By: Julaia Cook



October 11, 2021 at 6:16 PM

Erin Myers said...

Cortni Jordan:

What I found most fascinating about the book was that the slaves were replaced with robots. In the book the robots had to do similar things that slaves back then use to do like abiding by their master and only caring for them. I think there is kind of a correlation between the robots and slaves.

Erin Myers said...

Udochukwu Chikere:

The reding was a bit confusing at first, but what I found most interesting was the fact that the robots were being punished for something they were literally programmed into their system. The fact that the master thought it was possible to just forget everything and move on like nothing happened. Despite the supposed virus, the rage was still buried deep and the longing to feel that rage only grew.

Tyler G said...

What I found very intriguing about this story has much to do with the irony regarding the solution our society has made for human equality which the people had created synthetic robots to serve human owners. This essentially brings back one of the most cruel pasts of human history which an historical event of slavery has reoccurred once more.

Unknown said...

I found it interesting how the robots were programed to serve or 'slave'. I also feel that the virus and plot of the story has a deeper meaning. I think that the people who bought a robot or 'slave' were considered owners or 'masters'. I think the story is telling us that a master is upset because his slaves were taken from him so he poisoned or 'gave them a virus' so no one else will have one. His slaves being sold from under him meant he got no money for them and that was upsetting.

Unknown said...

I found it interesting how the robots were programed to serve or 'slave'. I also feel that the virus and plot of the story has a deeper meaning. I think that the people who bought a robot or 'slave' were considered owners or 'masters'. I think the story is telling us that a master is upset because his slaves were taken from him so he poisoned or 'gave them a virus' so no one else will have one. His slaves being sold from under him meant he got no money for them and that was upsetting.

Jonathan H said...

What I found most fascinating about Scott's story was how the concept that we were reading from the perspective of a robot was handled, and how the main character's perspective as a machine created to serve influences how naïve and misinformed his thoughts seem to be, specifically about his creator, and how that appears to shift at the end of the story, when his creator infects the Riffs with the virus.

Chaz Hunter said...

I found this story to be very interesting. It was very weird how the robots were 'slaves' and also had feelings. The author did a great job of comparing the robots to slaves. Slaves weren't looked at as actual people and neither did the robots.

Unknown said...

I found this story to be very interesting. It was very weird how the robots were 'slaves' and also had feelings. The author did a great job of comparing the robots to slaves. Slaves weren't looked at as actual people and neither did the robots.

Chaz Hunter said...

I found this story to be very interesting. It was very weird how the robots were 'slaves' and also had feelings. The author did a great job of comparing the robots to slaves. Slaves weren't looked at as actual people and neither did the robots.
By: Chaz Hunter

Jordan Barnes said...

I found it very interesting on how weird how the robots were slaves and had feelings. I never heard of a robot that have feeling. During the story the author did the great job at comparing the robots to slaves

By Jordan Barnes

Unknown said...

I found the story interesting because of how robots were slaves. They were dehumanized and disrespected to the highest standards. The way robots are used to symbolize slavery is kind of spot on.

The role of the virus showed signs of rebellion because of newly developed feelings. Which seems impossible since a robot lacks human nature. Showing signs of emotion reveals a new way of developing emotions.



James Gladney

Tashauna F said...

The part that I found most interesting about Scot's story was when the robots were infected with viruses. This allowed the robots to be free and truly see what their masters thought of them.

Kahleea Washington said...

The deceptive man caught my attention more because his personality is centered around manipulation. Instead of allowing his true self to come out, he is forced to portray fake emotions and actions. He has been trained to know exactly what to say and do to make people vulnerable with him. I am more interested in his boss because he provides Copernicus with his script. His boss knew exactly what audience to target, what words to use, and how to get people’s attention. This chapter proves that knowing the right words and how to say it, is a powerful tool.

Kahleea Washington

Unknown said...

The deceptive man caught my attention more because his personality is centered around manipulation. Instead of allowing his true self to come out, he is forced to portray fake emotions and actions. He has been trained to know exactly what to say and do to make people vulnerable with him. I am more interested in his boss because he provides Copernicus with his script. His boss knew exactly what audience to target, what words to use, and how to get people’s attention. This chapter proves that knowing the right words and how to say it, is a powerful tool.

Kahleea Washington

Vernell Jackson said...

I like now he compares slavery to modern day and ne
used good scenarios to compare. He also didn't implant
the virus to his own robot but all the others. What I find
intriguing is how the author has wronged the idea of
slaverv bv misusina the robots.

Erin Myers said...

Vernell Jackson:
I like now he compares slavery to modern day and ne used good scenarios to compare. He also didn't implant the virus to his own robot but all the others. What I find intriguing is how the author has wronged the idea of slaverv bv misusina the robots.

Mysaiah Chambers said...

I am very fascinated by the comparison of the robot and slave points. I never thought about how similar the characteristics of a slave and also a robot actually are. I feel that the reason he didn't let his robot get the disease is that he knew in his heart that it was wrong in general, but since that robot was a bit closer he felt convicted.

Erin Myers said...

Natalie G.:

I found it interesting how he represented slaves to being robots. I found this fascinating because it does seem like slaves were being portrayed as robots.

Aaliyah Fuller said...

I find it interesting that the slaves are acted as robots. It tells a different story in another point of view

Erin Myers said...

ivorie arthurs said...
Adding magical elements to the plot of the story makes it more interesting. I found the story to be familiar and definitely intriguing. The ritual was, however, usual but it made me think of the things that one might do for their family. The magical elements gave the writer space to express different outcomes.

November 2, 2021 at 7:43 PM (posted to B blog)

Erin Myers said...

Alexis D said...
My response to the use of magical elements in “ A Loudness of Screechers” was that found it interesting because after reading the section I closed my eyes and could picture all the animals just roaming around. There were supernatural and magical stories in the book. I had this response because when I closed my eyes I could see myself there.
October 30, 2021 at 1:21 PM (posted to B blog)

Erin Myers said...

Ivorie A.:

I found it interesting how the robots were programed to serve or 'slave'. I also feel that the virus and plot of the story has a deeper meaning. I think that the people who bought a robot or 'slave' were considered owners or 'masters'. I think the story is telling us that a master is upset because his slaves were taken from him so he poisoned or 'gave them a virus' so no one else will have one. His slaves being sold from under him meant he got no money for them and that was upsetting.

October 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM (posted anonymously)

Kelan Branch said...

I find it interesting how the robots "serve" their masters, just like how African Americans were slaves and served their masters centuries ago. The comparison between the two is really relatable.

Kelan Branch said...

I find it interesting how the story uses robots as comparison to slaves centuries ago. It really is relatable. It gave me chills how robots had emotions in the story as well.

Willie D said...

It was interesting using robots to compare the life of a slave.

Erin Myers said...

Brianna H.:

What I found most fascinating is how the robots were designed to so call replace enslaved blacks and then the founder of the robots was later cut out the deal. Its the simple fact that they thought robots could replace and humans and follow human commands.

Erin Myers said...

Abdixakin A.:

What I really enjoyed about Scott's story telling was how abstract he is in telling them. He mentions a lot of African American history and experiences in his stories in such a unique way.

Erin Myers said...

Gianni D.:

By comparing slaves and robots in this book, one can see how unfortunate it is that they were both treated in similar ways. The following statements by Jim show some attempts at keeping a positive attitude despite how Jim was treated, and what his purpose for being created was like: "My saving grace, I think, is that I loved to serve." and "When I found joy, there was no higher joy than serving.".
The passage is very intriguing to me. I have never seen or heard anything like the imagery of robots as slaves before. Due to the fact that enslaved people are almost forced to act like robots, and must serve their masters whatever the situation, this artwork is actually very symbolic.
Furthermore, this shows that enslaved people were not even treated humanely, just as we do with robotics today

Kobie Davis said...

What I find interesting about this story is the inventor's decision to upload a virus, destroying his hard work. I question if the inventor had a moral dilemma that made him decide to upload a virus or if there was a deeper symbolic meaning behind creating all his robots to resemble African Americans and how that impacted his choice to have them revolt.

Unknown said...

I find the time frame in which this story takes place as interesting. They speak as if they are in the past but are developing technology that we don’t even have today. They have access to advanced technology while also still speaking of slaves and freely saying the n-word. -Maurius Gore

Erin Myers said...

Jameelah H.:

I found this story to be very interesting. It was very weird how the robots were 'slaves' and also had feelings. The author did a great job of comparing the robots to slaves. Slaves weren't looked at as actual people and neither did the robots. I feel the virus was deeper than what it seemed since their robots and slaves.

Erin Myers said...

Mikayla F.:

The two black mothers arguing and talking down each other's daughters is what stood out to me the most. Lucinda's approach was harsher, and she could have sent a better email to start the conversation off. Especially with both of their daughters being black in a predominately white school. Knowing that they both are facing the same issues. Why not try to bring them together?

Erin Myers said...

Tyler B.:

I found it interesting regarding the symbolism between the robot and enslaved African Americans. It seemed to me that they were comparing the slaves to the robot as a robot would be used to pertain to various tasks as African Americans did for Whites in the 20th century. It was also interesting as they portrayed the robot to have emotion.