The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Work Title: The Moon Is a Harsh MistressMedium: Novel
Episode Title:
Year: 1966
Writer(s): Robert A. Heinlein
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: Yes
Summary:
Due to overpopulation, the moon was colonized so that it could be used as farmland. Colony life is very hard, however, and many of the colonists feel like prisoners because they can never return to Earth after adapting to the moon's low gravity. One day, a computer repairman named Manuel Garcia O'Kelly "Mannie" Davis begins work on the colonies central computer system only to discover that it has become self aware. Mannie keeps this knowledge a secret and finds ways to continually meet with the computer, which he dubs "Mike." When talk of a revolution begins on the colony, Mannie and others use Mike to disrupt the police's computer systems. As the revolution erupts, Mike becomes the figurehead and spokesperson for the colonists, re-fashioning itself as "Adam" and constructing a computerized image of himself which makes regular television appearances. Thanks to Mike/Adam, the colonists eventually win their freedom. However, during the climatic final confrontation with police from Earth, Mike/Adam's systems are damaged beyond repair.
Era/Year of Portrayal: distant_future
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:
Set on a lunar colony. Food grown on the moon is catapulted down to Earth.
Technology
- Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: HOLMES IV Computer System (aka: "Mike," "Simon Jester," or "Adam Selene")
- Description of the technology: Self-aware computer system named "Mike" that adopts multiple personalities to manipulate the public. The computer is both mobile and immoble in the sense that it can manipulate all of the electronics throughout the colony, but all of its data and memory are stored at the police headquarters. Mike eventually demonstrates such a high degree of social realism that even the few characters who know his personae are not real people often forget they are speaking with a machine. All interaction is done through speech, although "Adam" appears frequently on television towards the end of the novel. For the most part, Mike is benevolent. He manipulates the colonists in support of the revolution but never contradicts Mannie's wishes. While Mike originally only follows the orders of Mannie and the other rebel leaders, it begins to act on his own (still trying to do what it thinks Mannie would want it to do) as the revolution erupts.
- Nature of task or activity: Social interaction. Mike generally communicates with people through telephones and television screens.
- Performance of the Technology: The HOLMES IV computer was never designed to be self aware. The story is based around an unexpected feature of the software.
- Description of creator(s): The Earth government. No specific creator is ever mentioned.
- Major goal(s) of creator(s): To take care of the day to day administration of the colony.
- Description of users of technology: Lunar colonists of all age, race, gender, economic class, etc.
- Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
- Description of presence experience: Characters treat the personae of the HOLMES IV computer system as if they were real people.
- User awareness of technology during experience: The main characters are aware that Mike is a machine, but they often forget as it's personalities become more developed.
- Valence of experience: The main characters treat Mike as a friend. The public treats the Adam persona as a hero.
- Specific responses: Profound emotional involvement. Everyone is deeply saddened when Mike is damaged.
Originally, the HOLMES IV is used to oppress the colonists. But the growth of the benevolent, self-aware "Mike" suggests that technology can be used for both good or bad depending on who controls it.
Other: Coder name: Michael BlackCoder email: mike.black@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University, English Department