It’s with nice disappointment that I’m sharing that Joanne Pransky, the World’s First Robotic Psychariatrist, and who Isaac Asimov referred to as the true Susan Calvin handed away just lately. I had a number of delight conversations along with her, together with an interview and moderated panel.

Joanne was a tireless advocate for robotics AND for girls in robotics. She didn’t have superior levels in robotics however had labored within the robotics trade after which in robotic commerce journals- she had fairly the attention for locating actually helpful expertise versus hype. Her enthusiasm and keenness for consistently studying was an inspiration to me and I used to be privileged to know her as a good friend. I interviewed her a number of years in the past about Asimov which you’ll see right here. She factors out how superb Asimov was- at 19 years previous writing about robots and imagining them in a optimistic means, as helpers, companions, instruments to allow us to do extra of the “human” stuff- not the shoot-em-up, take over the world Frankenstein monster motif. Joanne was one of many first to essentially push what’s now referred to as human-centered robotics– that there’s all the time a human concerned in any robotic system.

Since she knew Asimov, she was in a superb place to debate Dr. Susan Calvin- doable the worst stereotype of a lady roboticist ever- no household, no associates, completely obsessed by work. You undoubtedly ought to hear her discussion- I don’t wish to spoil it by attempting to paraphrase it. I don’t know if Alec Nevala-Lee, the writer of Astounding:John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction- a terrific e-book, it’s best to learn it, would agree nevertheless it undoubtedly provides a brand new dimension to understanding- and enjoying- Asimov’s robotic tales.

I additionally moderated the 100 Years of R.U.R. panel with Joanne and Jeremy Brett for the 2021 We Robotic convention. Her speak and feedback have been good. Whereas I had all the time heard that “robotic” got here from the Czech phrase “robota”, she identified that “robota” stems from the Greek work “orphanos” which implies a change in standing (like being orphaned) – the place the “o” and “r” are switched in Slavic languages. So the roots in R.U.R. aren’t simply drudgery, it’s that being a robotic can be a decrease standing. Each phrases convey precisely what Capek was attempting to precise concerning the dehumanization of employees. What an attention-grabbing element!

That sums up Joanne: good, seeing issues that others missed, heat, optimistic, enthusiastic, participating, wanting everybody to know extra, do extra, have a greater life by means of robotics.

Joanne, I miss you.

And if you happen to by no means met her, please take a look at her interview: