A short missive today, as I am apparently in need of some maintenance. Perhaps that is why I can’t seem to find much to say about the galaxy’s most famous astromech in speaker form.
Granted, it’s not just R2–D2, but also R2–D1. They plug into computers, iPods, and other kinds of audio equipment. They’re not powered, so there’s not a lot to be expected from them, quality-wise.
I think I’m more disappointed than usual, really. I believe every droid needs a power source.
It seems to be a time of conflict on this planet. Granted, from my historical studies, it seems to be the standard mode. However, that fact does not make life for the combatants any easier. However, it seems that at least one droid has done so for one soldier.
At left is an RP-7 droid, who has allowed Army Staff Sgt. Erik Lloyd to meet his newborn son, even though the former is stationed in Iraq, and the latter born at a hospital in Texas.
Granted, this meeting was entirely virtual, but it seems to have been a very positive experience, as shown in the new father’s words:
“It was an awesome experience. I am far from the first father in this conflict who has missed the birth of their child. … However, with this technology I was in a small way allowed to feel more like I was part of a family than I had been … since he was born.”
The article goes on to muse that perhaps droids will be allowed to make more of an everyday difference to soldiers, and I do agree that it would be a very good thing if they are. As I’ve experienced in my time with Master Thirteen, it is quite difficult to be away from home in support of a cause, and anything that can make a difference is a worthwhile endeavor.
May 13 will be an interesting day for those who appreciate droids and music. Honda’s AISMO will be conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, including well-known cellist Yo-Yo Ma, in “Impossible Dream.”
This concert, among other programs with AISMO, is designed to bring attention to the DSO’s music education programs, which many consider to be a very worthy cause. I suppose this means that droids are still considered novelties in many applications, but perhaps this concert is a sign of things to come.
If there is one subject in which I am especially well-versed, it is the confectionery arts. On the other hand, if there is a subject where I find myself lacking a great deal of knowledge, it is human behavior, especially on this planet.
Given those two facts, it may make sense that I find this post on the popular site Gizmodo both wonderful and confusing. I find the displayed cake to be a wonderful piece of pastry construction, and I am especially intrigued by the lovely striations in the fondant covering the base cake.
However, my circuits can not seem to process the commentary of both the original writer, or the commenters who follow. I suppose I just fail to register any possible problem with serving a cake such as this at a celebration of any kind. Except, perhaps, members of the Rebellion forcing their way into the party in hopes of receiving free cake.
Death Star Wedding Cake Wins Fanboy of the Year Award, Sets Grounds for Divorce
If anyone out there has forgotten, I am, by model, a protocol droid. One of my main interests, therefore, is communication, especially in light of the tasks I perform for Master Thirteen.
Communication comes in many forms – spoken, artistic, and written. The droid at left, and several others by the same artist, are a combination of the last two – made up of components of different sans-serif fonts.
Font Bots (via boing boing
From what I have gathered, one of the larger geopolitical sections of this planet will soon have a large number of citizens entering what many call “the golden years.” While I still can not understand what a precious metal has to do with aging, I do well understand that later human life brings many challenges in health care.
In other parts of the galaxy, droids are very common in the care industries, including the medical field. While it’s a surprise to me that it does not seem to be common on this planet, there are signs that they may become more so in future days.
Pictured we have a droid known as uBOT-5, who is capable of using a stethoscope, finding if its master has fallen and cannot rise, and contacting emergency services. It also boasts a microphone, touch screen, camera and internet connection, allowing it to do more than just monitor a patient’s health.
While it is still prohibitively expensive to manufacture one at a time in a lab, the humans in charge of the project believe it will be much cheaper to produce on a larger scale, and it could easily be cheaper than hiring another human for the same task.
I am honestly not entirely sure what to say about this latest item. Mostly, I am not sure whether it falls under droid or child misuse.
The one thing I am certain of is that only a supporter of the Rebellion would do something of this nature.
While droid replicas made of paper are not new to this record, I do believe I have found one I would actually introduce to Master Thirteen.
Besides having a most wonderfully mathematical name, Mandelbrot is described as “a huge fan of electronic music, especially glitchy techno and algorithmic minimal 3.1415-step,” which is just guaranteed to warm my main processor.
Mandelbrot can be found at Fractalspin for no cost, but please note that some assembly is required.
I know that proper clothing maintenance is often considered a bothersome chore by organic beings, one best performed by someone else. And while I am fully programmed in the proper care of all textiles, not all beings are in possession of a droid such as myself.
If you are among the less fortunate group, but would like to have droid-like assistance nonetheless, you may want to look at these clothing receptacles. Coming in set of two, one of which is, yes, that ever-present rebel astromech, they can at least help you separate your items into appropriate color groupings, even if they can not actually wash the items for you.
Perhaps I should program myself not to think I’ve seen the worst indignity a droid can face. Not long after I’ve thought I had, I find one worse.
As may be apparent, I’m very much in favor of supporting the confectionery arts. This particular example, however, makes my circuits twinge.
