Watchbird
by Robert Sheckley · first published 2018
14mentions
6recommended by
11HN commenters
2014–2026first – last mentioned
55% recommend45% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A short 1953 science fiction story about autonomous robotic watchbirds that enforce society's rules. It offers a sharp, skeptical look at automated policing, surveillance, and technology used to fix social problems.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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>Imagine a world in which theft, rape, slavery, and child abuse are impossible If you think this is possible through any technical means, you're not reading the right science fiction. I suggest you give Watchbird by Robert Sheckley a read.[0] It will disabuse you of any notion that we can improve society through any system of "perfect enforcement." [0] https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29579
on “How a Cashless Society Could Embolden Big Brother” ↗…piracy happens". That's why such idea is flawed from the beginning. Saying that it failed because implementation wasn't perfect and more policing will help to solve the issue reminds me the story of the Watchbird: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29579 Definitely read the whole thing if you didn't yet. What's hackish is not to be eager to implement even more draconian overreaching preemptive policing, but to understand…
on “How GoG.com is growing beyond a back catalog” ↗Lem wrote some wonderfully whimsical stories; all the more surprising when you consider the times and place in which he wrote. For another perspective on autonomous drones read Robert Sheckley's Watchbird.
on “UN delay could open door to robot wars” ↗Also see "Watchbird" by Robert Sheckley: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29579 By the way, DRM is an example of such approach, where people are judged as guilty by default by digital systems.
on “Early evidence on “predictive policing” and civil rights” ↗There's also Watchbird by Robert Sheckley: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29579
on “Bugs are evolving to eat plastic, study finds” ↗Watchbird sounds like one firmware update away from becoming DJI SmartSurgeon. Kidding aside, adding this to my reading list. Thanks for the link.
on “Arthur C. Clarke predicted a computer-dominated future in the ’70s (2024)” ↗Pfft, police. Have you read Watchbird (1953) by Robert Sheckley? That's pretty much exactly where we're heading right now.
on “My phone detects going on a run as "someone snatching my phone and running off"” ↗Robert Sheckley, "Watchbird", 1953.
on “Can drones be the future of police security?” ↗A name of the topic reminds me "Watchbird" novel written by Sheckley
on “The best defense against malicious AI is AI” ↗I recalled a short story "Watchbird" by Robert Sheckley: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29579
on “China takes surveillance to new heights with flock of robotic doves” ↗Robert Sheckley's 1953 story Watchbird[0] is about a networked AI drone system intended to prevent murders that gets out of hand when it slowly starts expanding the scope of its original mission - by the end they're preventing surgeries because…
on “Arthur C. Clarke predicted a computer-dominated future in the ’70s (2024)” ↗This subthread also reminded me of Sheckley's Watchbird story (written in 1953!)
on “Drones will realize the promise of suicide terrorism” ↗Ref: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29579 Robert Sheckley's Watchbird
on “Stopping deepfake news with an AI algorithm that can tell when a face doesnt fit” ↗Sounds almost like Sheckley's Watchbird already :)
on “YouTube can now warn creators about copyright issues before videos are posted” ↗