My name is Ryan Crutchfield and I am a system architect and application programmer with a master’s degree in archaeology that I never get to use. I am a regular contributor at weirdthings.com and my twitter stream (@rc6750) will more than likely bore you to tears.
I am a huge fan of robots. I have built my own robots, have robot-themed artwork hanging on my walls, and even celebrated the recent 90th anniversary of the creation of the word (by drinking alone in my apartment). With some exceptions, I enjoy most literature and movies involving robots. For example, despite the ABSOLUTE RIDICULOUSNESS of this movie, I am still excited (and embarrassed) to see it. So when I was recently perusing the Sci-Fi section of the local used book store it was with great excitement that I came across The Robot Brains by Sydney J. Bounds published in 1967. The cover features a giant robot with claws, clearly chasing a terrified human across a barren landscape. The text above the title ominously declares, “Monster brains dominate the Earth and destroy man’s only hope for survival”. HELL YES. I thought I was about to be treated to some late 60’s robot apocalypse fiction.
I could not have been more wrong.
I am not sure what the statute of limitations is on spoilers, but I am about to drop some 44-year-old spoilers, so consider this your warning.