Among a variety of inventions

Among a variety of inventions that scientists are trying to design are small robots that can be fueled by digesting slugs. The hope is that eventually self-sufficient machines can be developed which refuel themselves by finding and digesting slugs. I was fascinated by what science sees as almost insurmountable hurdles in making a machine that can turn slugs into fuel (not to mention the artificial intelligence necessary to do things like find slugs and then know what to do with them).

What actually drew my attention to the slug digesting machines were the protests scientists are facing which challenge this research. There are a number of people who believe technology of this sort is dangerous. They believe if machines are given any form of autonomy, any ability to decide or act without human control, they'll rebel--or worse, take over.

Man clearly sees machines as his creation; the fruit of his creative mind and his physical labor. From the very start machines were made to serve man and his interests. It is a ludicrous, yet daunting, thought that machines would someday "think" they were the master and man their servant. Anyone who thinks this is too far fetched needs only wonder who is serving whom when a car won't start, a computer won't hoot, a VCR won't stop flashing 12:00, or an automated phone system refuses to cooperate.

This picture rings all too familiar in another realm. Man is God's creation, the fruit of His creative mind and His labor. God made man for His glory (Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.) Man was created to do the will of God. His commands were intended to be man's programming (Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.) But unlike a mere machine, God wired man with the ability to think and choose. This ability opens unlimited opportunities of communion with God, yet there is always the threat of rebellion--or worse, attempts to take over.

Some see the complexity of man and the incredible abilities he has been given and praise man (humanism). But the psalmist had it right "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139:14) All that man is and has is ultimately from God and we express this when we use all we are and have to His praise. In the end, machines won't take over, but neither will man. How silly of us to get a belly full of slugs and then in our arrogance forget Who made us and why!

Wally Hayes