A Husband's Mechanical Gift to His Wife Raises Moral Questions with the World

Nov. 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Portland, OR --- In the science fiction adventure Botboy, my Botboy  Grace Feenaughty is the wife of a scientist trying to come to grips with the sudden death of her husband Rob. Grace's husband was recognized by the world of science for his work as a physicist and with artificial intelligence. But to Grace, Rob was the man she loved and shared her life with.

One day after a large box from Rob's lab arrives at Grace's doorstep, her trials of accepting life without her husband take a confusing turn. It turns out that Rob's final project was about to become his final gift to his wife.

A social robot.

Nicknamed Botboy, the robot is able to attend to all of Grace's needs around the house and in her daily travels. Botboy is able to not only talk and walk but also protect Grace from accidents that are conventional and dangers that were never imagined. Botboy's abilities seem limitless, to Grace's gratitude, as it even makes successful steps in guiding and disciplining her rambunctious young nephew Ron.

This surprise addition to Grace's life takes her through a series of emotions from initial rejection, through tolerance and finally into a realization of purpose. Grace vows, with the help of Sirhan, who was a student of her late husband, to make other people aware of the gift to humanity that social robotics provides. While her firsthand experiences with Botboy make this initially seem like a simple mission, Grace quickly realizes that not everyone is ready to accept social robots. And others see Botboy as a tool for a use quite different than what he was designed to do.

Even though many people own robots that do simple tasks, Botboy's debut at Grace's garden club draws envy from most and outrage by one member, who decries Botboy's existence as being against God's Law. This becomes Grace's first in a series of moral questions and conflicts that her vow will lead her to face.

While bringing about interest from friends and neighbors, Botboy's existence also brings about an undesired complicating interest for Grace from the United States government. The complications come from a battle between sides within the government who are supportive and against social robots. When a traumatic event that every reader who travels has envisioned takes place, Botboy's actions start a chain of events that will force Grace to face the ultimate moral question of life, death and how we define both.

Botboy, my Botboy (bit.ly/BotboyMyBotboy  ) is the debut science fiction novel by Julie O'Toole. Julie's career in science as a physician, combined with her interaction with her young patients, keeps her daily work focused on facts. Yet for her literary creation of Botboy, she asked herself a question that too many have lost the ability to do likewise.

What if?
What if something which was superior to humans was given to humans in order to serve them?

What if science and philosophy were called on to co-exist?

What if religious tenets conflicted with modern desires?

What if one person had to decide the fate of another, which would impact the many?

What if what we considered to be life wasn't all that we envisioned?

These are some of the real life questions that Grace battles in Botboy, my Botboy. In the true tradition of quality science fiction, author Julie O'Toole provokes thought and self-examination by the reader. As they travel with Grace, Botboy, Sirhan and Ron they'll place themselves in the character's shoes, positions and ask themselves, "What if..." To learn more about the book, visit bit.ly/BotboyMyBotboy

About Julie O'Toole:
Dr. Julie O'Toole attended Reed College and the University of Washington, then received her MD from The Technical University in Aachen, Germany. She completed her pediatric training in Honolulu, Hawaii. On the side she is a botanist, gardener, and writer. She currently practices medicine in Oregon, while engaging in important eating-disorder research with colleagues around the world.

About PSIpress:
PSIpress is a new, wholly independent publisher. Our mission is to help members of the science-minded community realize their full potential as published authors, and to help them enjoy the process. We take pride in the quality of our books, placing a great deal of emphasis on personal contact with our authors to ensure a successful publishing experience.

For further details on Botboy, my Botboy please visit PerfSciPress.com or call 503-724-8656.

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