Chapter 56

(Seeking recommendations, seeking collections~)

Jesse, Mike, and Belinda are devoted science fiction fans. They have read a considerable number of English novels, but after coming to China for their studies, they found it very difficult to read a Chinese novel.

Even though they have passed their language exams, the dense characters still give them a headache, like a book from heaven. Recently, the popular "I, Robot" is something they can't understand, so they have to ask friends to help with oral translations.

However, Lucy, the Chinese girl, is not particularly good at English translation, so a lot is lost in the process. But the part that is successfully conveyed still leaves them in awe.

Now that Lin Han has told them they can buy the English version, they all start reading on their phones. After waiting so long, they finally have some spiritual sustenance.

They were originally supposed to come to discuss books, but they endure the discomfort in their eyes and read on their phones first to satisfy their craving, leaving no time to chat with others.

The popularity of the Kindle is still quite high. When buying paper books is too expensive, they can consider the electronic version. So Jesse and the others plan to go back and download it to their Kindles, which is easier on the eyes.

Seeing them read with such hunger and thirst, no one around them disturbs them. Lin Han, Zheng Yucheng, Xiao Liux, and others all understand this feeling, like a long drought finally meeting a sweet rain!

"Let's not bother them for now. Let's talk about our own impressions. I think using nine stories to integrate a brief history of robot development, with each story's core coming from the logical conflicts of the Three Laws of Robotics. In the novel, a female scientist uses a paradox to kill a robot. Now we are studying machine ethics, which also develops from this prisoner's dilemma, right?"

Another bespectacled boy agreed, "Many people on the internet are looking for the flaws in the Three Laws of Robotics, but they don't know that the author is the one who truly found the flaws, proposing a law and then finding the flaws to write this novel. It's like watching lower organisms in turmoil, not even wanting to disturb them."

"Ha ha ha, this is a funny way to put it, and I think the same. Anyway, this science fiction book is easy and magical to read, almost a masterwork, a classic. Did you notice that, although it's about robots, the universe is very vast, with a long history of the Galactic Empire. The friendship between Baley and Daniel, the relationship between humans and robots, after reading from beginning to end, I have the urge to read it again."

"This style of setting up a logical system and then deducing within the system is absolutely orthodox science fiction, as hard as it gets. Especially those two field partners are hilarious. The psychology of robots is the main thread of the entire book, and I keep thinking about how robots should survive under the Three Laws."

"Truly outstanding science fiction should be like this, convincing, frightening, and moving!"

"Writing so many variations on the Three Laws of Robotics is amazing. The end of each problem is just the beginning of another. These nine short stories are closely logically linked, making me very excited."

"Isn't it a coincidence? I feel the same way, so excited. Chinese science fiction can also reach this level; I stayed up all night to finish this book."

"This is not just a collection of short stories. As the robot psychologist's memories unfold, the stories progress layer by layer, deeply and thoroughly analyzing the various logical connections within the Three Laws and the possibilities they imply."

At this point, Zheng Yucheng also joined the discussion: "Among all these robots, which one do you like the most? There's a robot that never tires of hearing the Cinderella story, a robot that is infatuated with human emotions and loves reading novels, a robot that is rational and logical and feels good about itself, and a robot that preaches and establishes a religion. Each one is so cute."

Lin Han listened carefully, noticing that almost all the science fiction enthusiasts were full of praise, with no malice, only a bit of criticism about his writing style, which is harmless.

It was Lin Han's turn to speak. Even though he is thick-skinned, he can't praise himself, so after hesitating, he said, "The writing style is simple and plain, without elaborate descriptions or exaggerated portrayals. The stories are simple but exciting, and the writing needs more refinement."

The book club discussion became more lively amidst the chatter, with everyone vying to share their thoughts. People with similar interests always have endless things to talk about.

...

After the book club ended, Jesse-Kulthen couldn't wait to return to his dormitory. He quickly opened his Kindle and synchronized the previously purchased "I, Robot."

Reading on a small phone screen is uncomfortable for the eyes, so a larger Kindle is more suitable. By this time, he had already finished the second short story and was still in shock.

As an exchange student from Columbia University to Yanjing University, Jesse grew up with science fiction books. He has read various science fiction classics, but a little over a week ago, he heard some friends he met in China discussing a science fiction book.

Originally, he looked down on Chinese science fiction, as there was no book here that could make him remember its name. It seemed that science fiction novels developed particularly slowly here, and people here preferred to read kungfu novels.

But by chance, when he heard Lucy tell him about the Three Laws of Robotics in English, the experienced Jesse was immediately captivated and begged his friend to give him a simple translation.

Even though the language was a barrier, the brilliant ideas left a deep impression in his mind. Now, seeing the real English version, Jesse felt his soul tremble.

"The author is definitely a genius. God, I almost missed this novel! Looking at this writing style, I thought I was reading a science fiction novel written by a European or American author, with no trace of translation. But the Three Laws of Robotics are such a classic, I couldn't have missed them."

Jesse muttered to himself, thinking about the novel on the Amazon page that had only three purchases, feeling a sense of being overlooked, "It should be seen by more people!"

With this thought, Jesse opened the forum SFFworld, the largest gathering place for science fiction readers in Europe and America, with tens of thousands of active users daily, numerous sections, and a well-structured layout. Many novels become popular through word of mouth here.

SFFworld stands for "science-fiction-forum-world." The forum is filled with science fiction enthusiasts, including students like Jesse, engineers, professors, astronomers, chemistry teachers, physicists, and aerospace workers.

These people are standard bookworms, with very strict requirements for any science fiction book, making it very difficult to win their approval.

But Jesse's fingers flew over the keyboard, "Hi, guys, I found a fantastic science fiction novel, 'I, Robot.' You can see the first chapter on Amazon to try it out. Just read the Three Laws of Robotics at the beginning, and you'll know if you should buy it!"

At the same time, he compared his Kindle and input the Three Laws of Robotics at the beginning of the novel into the post, then waited quietly.

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