Runaround (story)

"Runaround" is a science fiction short story by American writer Isaac Asimov, featuring his recurring characters Powell and Donovan.[2] In 2015, Powell, Donovan and Robot SPD-13, also known as "Speedy", are sent to Mercury to restart operations at a mining station which was abandoned ten years before.When Speedy is asked to return with the selenium, he begins talking oddly, quoting Gilbert and Sullivan and showing symptoms that, if he were human, would be interpreted as drunkenness.The conflicting Laws cause what is basically a feedback loop which confuses him to oscillate around the point where the two compulsions are of equal strength, which makes Speedy appear inebriated.Artificial intelligence researcher Marvin Minsky said: "After 'Runaround' appeared in the March 1942 issue of Astounding [now Analog Science Fiction and Fact ], I never stopped thinking about how minds might work.
Short storyIsaac AsimovScience fictionAstounding Science FictionPeriodicalStreet & SmithmagazinehardbackpaperbackRobot seriesFirst LawReasonrecurring charactersPowell and DonovanI, RobotThe Complete RobotRobot VisionsHugo AwardThree Laws of RoboticsRobot storieslexicalMercuryseleniumGilbert and Sullivandrunkennesscognitive dissonanceArtificial intelligenceMarvin MinskyAnalog Science Fiction and FactThe Hugo AwardsInternet Speculative Fiction DatabaseInternet ArchiveFoundation SeriesRobbieCatch That RabbitLittle Lost RobotEscape!EvidenceThe Evitable ConflictA Boy's Best FriendSomedayPoint of ViewThink!True LoveRobot AL-76 Goes AstrayVictory UnintentionalStranger in ParadiseLight VerseSegregationistLet's Get TogetherMirror ImageThe Tercentenary IncidentSatisfaction GuaranteedGalley SlaveFeminine Intuition. . . That Thou Art Mindful of HimThe Bicentennial Man