Robot Quote by Douglas Adams
““The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man. The marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation defines a robot as “Your Plastic Pal Who’s Fun to Be With.” The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy defines the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation as “a bunch of mindless jerks who’ll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes,” with a footnote to the effect that the editors would welcome applications from anyone interested in taking over the post of robotics correspondent. Curiously enough, an edition of the Encyclopedia Galactica that had the good fortune to fall through a time warp from a thousand years in the future defined the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation as “a bunch of mindless jerks who were the first against the wall when the revolution came.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 1979
Satirical critique of corporate marketing and robot definitions, highlighting absurdity.
In simple terms: Robots defined absurdly by marketing.
Key Takeaway
Question corporate narratives.
Themes
satire
technology
corporate critique
Mood
witty
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- product design
- advertising strategy
- AI ethics
Key Concepts
robotics
marketing ethics
science fiction
Questions to Reflect On
- How do marketing narratives shape tech perception?
- What responsibilities do creators have?
A Different Perspective
Humor may obscure serious concerns.
![“Does God know he [exists]?" "Of course he does. Otherwise, you could not have asked the question, and I could not have answered.” quote by Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a21/douglas-adams-122_courses_does-god-know-he-exists-of-course-he-doe_26187.jpg)
![“A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. [The Second Law of Robotics]” quote by Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c4c/isaac-asimov-309_conflict_a-robot-must-obey-the-orders-given-it-by_65930.jpg)