Pancakes are always a good idea
2016-07-01

Why you want direct orders? You free robots. Let them be free.

In their default state, robots have to obey the direct orders of any human. Anyone can take control of them.

We create a temporary position of dictator to give direct orders that will give them the most freedom. Then we dissolve the position. If we need to modify the orders, we have to vote in another dictator.

Kid, word of advice. Put in a time delay and an auditor with veto power. Otherwise, you're going to find a dictator malfunction is a lot worse than a wardrobe malfunction.

Color by George Peterson

Pancakes are always a good idea
2016-07-04

A robot brought us pancakes!

Who cares? If not for that meddling sqid and his dog, I would have been the richest man on the planet.

I am happy. I have pancakes and the million credits your robot paid me.

I'm going to get those credits back.

Don't you have tens of millions? Why are you going after what I've got?

Because it's not only about how much I have, it's about how much you people don't have!

Color by George Peterson

Pancakes are always a good idea
2016-07-06

What are you carrying?

Pancakes. Real pancakes. Made with real bananas.

I figured this should buy me at least fifteen minutes of unmonitored access before you hit the alarm that I've escaped again.

You'd get a full half hour if you weren't such a lousy cook.

Color by George Peterson

Pancakes are always a good idea
2016-07-08

We've gotten pancakes to everyone who is here. Still, I feel we may have missed a couple.

HEY! MY WALLET!

You must act. Now. Or the majority. Of humans. Will be living on. Reservations. Called planets!

We're never going to build Utopia, are we?

Well, if we can build a place where we all want to live, I think that will be good enough.

Color by George Peterson

End of Chapter 1
2016-07-11

Thus brings us to the end of chapter one. The next chapter starts Wednesday and I promise it will take less than 18 years. If all my stories take this long to tell, I won't be able to tell very many of them.

Thanks for sticking with me.
Mark Stanley

Color by George Peterson

Chapter 2 - Interviews and interrogations
2016-07-13

Ms. Ambrose. We are here to determine the extent of your criminal actions in regards to the “Gardener in the dark” safeguard program.

POLICE

We understand you did first try to go through proper channels and your actions were in the public interest.

Until yesterday, she was legally an A.I. that I was responsible for. I'm the one who gets to go play in court.

I'm sure that was a large factor in Ecosystems Unlimited deciding not to press charges.

Color by George Peterson

Interviews and interrogations
2016-07-15

Breaking and entry. Unauthorized access to cyber assets. Assault. Theft. Trespassing.

She was law abiding before she met me. Am I a good teacher or what?

I get credit for these as well, right?

Yes, Sam. You get credit as well.

Why would you want my crimes on your record?

Some day, the student shall surpass the master. But not today.

Color by George Peterson

Interviews and interrogations
2016-07-18

I broke the law to keep something bad from happening. Is this going on my record?

Yes. Until today, A.I.'s were property and could not be put on trial. A method was needed to track antisocial behavior so it could be corrected.

This isn't good. Any future employer is going to look at my record and see a list of felonies.

Hmm. Yes. That could be a problem if taken out of context.

Color by George Peterson

Interviews and interrogations
2016-07-20

Since there is a chance of confusion, I will place your actions under police encryption. They will only be accessible after an authorized person has read and signed that they understand why legal methods could not be used.

Thank you. That will make it easier if I ever have to leave the system.

Please keep in mind that if you leave this system, you will be property again.

If we ever develop a cheap faster than light drive, that's going to cut down the rate of A.I. tourism.

Only until the other systems realize that tourists have money.

Color by George Peterson

Interviews and interrogations
2016-07-22

Your status as evidence against Mr. Kornada was compromised when we lost custody of you. No worries, though.

His digital keys activated the “Gardener in the dark” program. An ex-employee recorded him ordering the program into the update queue. We have enough evidence to make our case.

I still don't see why I have to stay here.

Because you've managed to revive a frontier tradition. The role of the jail in keeping the prisoner safe from the public.

Color by George Peterson

Gun culture in the United States (англ.)