Transformers And Philosophy book

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5th February 2009, 11:16 AM
Paulbot

Transformers And Philosophy book

I just read about this Previews

Quote:

John R. Shook, Liz Stillwaggon
Transformers began with toys and a cartoon series in 1984 and has since grown to include comic books, movies, and video games - its science fiction story has reached an audience with a wide range second only to that of Star Wars. Here, in Transformers and Philosophy, a dream team of philosophers pursues the fascinating questions posed by humankind's encounter with an artificially intelligent mechanical civilization: Is genuine artificial intelligence possible? Would a robotic civilization come with its own morality and artistic life, and would it find a need for romantic love? Should we be more careful about developing robots that may eventually develop ideas of their own? Transformers and Philosophy puts the robots in disguise under a microscope and exposes its philosophical implications in an instantly readable way.

Amazon Pre-order

Sounds interesting.... I wonder if it will be fannish or superficial in it's view of Transformers in particular instead of AI/Robots in general. Either way I'd give it a read.
5th February 2009, 02:57 PM
Ode to a Grasshopper

I studied philosophy at university and wrote quite a few essays on TF:TM. It's amazing how much you can read into an 80s cartoon made to sell toys...
5th February 2009, 04:19 PM
kup

They already got something wrong:

Quote:

Transformers began with toys and a cartoon series in 1984 and has since grown to include comic books, movies, and video games

Transformers didn't 'grow' to include comics, it started off with them along with the toys and cartoon. Heck, Marvel Comics was responsible for the mythos which are now core to the franchise!
5th February 2009, 04:26 PM
GoktimusPrime

It also doesn't take into account that they are living robots - i.e.: not only self-aware and sentient, but also with a living "soul" as defined as a laser core, life essence/primal essence or Spark. They have gods and spirituality. See my writings on Transformers Theology here

Transformers Beast Machines is a very deeply philosophical story. :)
5th February 2009, 04:41 PM
Sky Shadow

Quote:

Originally Posted by kup

Transformers didn't 'grow' to include comics, it started off with them along with the toys and cartoon. Heck, Marvel Comics was responsible for the mythos which are now core to the franchise!

Exactly. The comics came before the cartoon. In fact the comics may have even come out before the toys. So perhaps the sentence should read "Transformers began with a comic book and has since grown to include a cartoon series, movies, video games and even some toys." :p I've read similar books about other franchises that range from well-researched and accurate all the way down to a Pat Lee level of knowledge and accuracy. This one isn't off to a good start.
5th February 2009, 05:07 PM
Paulbot

This is the marketing blurb so don't be too harsh yet. It's various authors too so I think it could have the full range you mention.
5th February 2009, 05:17 PM
Lint

Judging from the blurb and past experience it seems to be just exploiting the transformers brand to sell a book on sci-fi philosophy.

Though I could be wrong and be delighted by a masterful and detailed analysis of the transformers mythos. After all blurbs can be pretty horrendous.

On the flipside I am seldom wrong :p
5th February 2009, 06:01 PM
SilverDragon

If there is an essay entitled 'Trukk Not Munkey', than this book will be a must-buy.
5th February 2009, 06:37 PM
Sam

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

It also doesn't take into account that they are living robots - i.e.: not only self-aware and sentient, but also with a living "soul" as defined as a laser core, life essence/primal essence or Spark. They have gods and spirituality.

So does this mean you've read the book?

I'll be keeping an eye out for this book, as philosophical questions raised by culture and entertainment have always interested me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

See my writings on Transformers Theology here

Ah, I was wondering who wrote that interesting piece when I came across it on the web a couple of years ago. :D
5th February 2009, 06:38 PM
Sky Shadow

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverDragon

If there is an essay entitled 'Trukk Not Munkey', than this book will be a must-buy.

True. Or 'How I Learned to Stop Trukking and Love the Munky'. ;)
5th February 2009, 07:19 PM
Hot Rodimus

Sounds like an interesting read regardless of the content soley aimed at transformers.
5th February 2009, 11:17 PM
GoktimusPrime

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

So does this mean you've read the book?

I was referring to the blurb. ;p

I want to read this... it may prove to be one of the "geekiest" reads I've had since reading "The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books" ;) :)
6th February 2009, 12:13 AM
Lord_Zed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky Shadow

True. Or 'How I Learned to Stop Trukking and Love the Munky'. ;)

Excellant Dr Strangelove reference there +1. ;)

http://www.plumbbobblog.com/wp-conte...g-the-bomb.jpg
Couldn't find a pic of the Ratrap parody though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
I want to read this... it may prove to be one of the "geekiest" reads I've had since reading "The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books"

I read abook like that many years ago. it's amazing how many things are theoreticly possible, if you have enough energy.
http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Star-T.../dp/0060977108

As for this new Transformers book, I would excpect it to use transformers as more of a launching pad of philosphy and science than accurate brand history.

Hmmm all this philosphy reminds me of my uni days.
11th February 2009, 09:31 PM
SilverDragon

I hope it ponders such meaningful questions as "Who is red? Rumble or Frenzy?", "Are the Constructicons really inferior to Soundwave?", and "wHy mY sHoULdeRs hUrt?"

I can tell it'll be focused around G1, since that's the only thing the general public remembers aside from the movie.