Relating to Robots

From an article in the Washington Post about military personnel and their relationships with their field robots:

"Ours was called Sgt. Talon," says Sgt. Michael Maxson of the 737th Ordnance Company (EOD). "We always wanted him as our main robot. Every time he was working, nothing bad ever happened. He always got the job done. He took a couple of detonations in front of his face and didn't stop working. One time, he actually did break down in a mission, and we sent another robot in and it got blown to pieces. It's like he shut down because he knew something bad would happen."

Something about the specific filter of human consciousness can turn anything into a real life character - inanimate or not. It's everywhere from Santa Clause, to Father Time, to God, to talking teapots in Disney films. It's an illusion that's generally impossible to see past.

Somehow I doubt the robot knew something bad was going to happen, it's far more likely God decided to spare Sgt Talon at that moment (I kid!).