Gizmodo: rise of the machines

Maximum Overdrive: Greatest Terminator Prequel Ever

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:00:00 EDT

The machines didn't rise in 2004, or even 1997, for the first time. No, the machines first rose in 1986, but Emilio Estevez and AC/DC were there to bitchslap them back to hell.

As we know, the machines have been revolting ever since some poor dumb caveman was flattened by the first wheel carved out of stone, but machines' violent outbursts became more prevalent during the industrial revolution, as people were constantly being sucked into giant mills and looms and stuff, pretty much on a daily basis. As man got a grip on his technology, fatalities eased up a bit until the arrival of the automobile, probably the most vicious manmade killer in history.

Lead by cars, but accompanied by every mechanical and electrical object from the sweet video arcade game to the good ole Walkman headphones to the unassuming ballpark Pepsi machine, the ultimate machine revolt was bound to occur in the mid 1980s. At least in Stephen King's head. He knew then what we're finally coming to grips with—we are building things that operate beyond our control, and it doesn't take a quantum brain and titanium exoskeleton to put a sizeable dent in the human race. Though probably even King would acknowledge that it certainly helps.

Don't believe me, that Maximum Overdrive is an underrated gem and a prescient predictor of future events where we all end up on sailboats because they're not technically machines? Have a look at this total stoner dude's video review. Or the Wikipedia page. [Man Vs Machine, and More Machine Manglings on Giz]

Dead Terminator Turned Into DVD Player Is Ultimate Insult to Skynet

Elaine Chow — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Look, John Connor, I get that we at Skynet are considered your enemies. I also understand that with the whole trying to “terminate” you thing, you'd probably get a little “drag Hector around the walls of Troy” once you've claimed victory over one of us. But this, sir, is ridiculous. Even genocidal robots have certain rules of engagement, and frankly, turning our reclaimed skulls into a harmless consumer electronic ought to be violating some code of conduct. Are you even listening to me? Wait, what is that you're approaching with? The second season of Scrubs? Are you serious?! What kind of monster are you? Amnesty! AMNESTY!!! [Toxel via Geekalerts]

First All-UAV Air Force Combat Wing Takes to the Skies Sans Pilots Over Iraq

John Mahoney — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Last week, the 174th Air Force Fighter Wing flew its last manned combat sortie over Iraq in F-16s, which have now been mothballed in favor of MQ-9 Reapers. This makes it the first combat-specific wing to ditch conventional aircraft entirely and toward a force of all unmanned robo-drones piloted from the ground. Welcome to the Skynet era, everyone!

There are a few Wings currently manned by Predator UAVs, which can indeed carry Hellfire missiles, but unlike the Reaper, their main mission is reconnaissance. Quite the contrary, the Reaper is the first true hunter-killer UAV, and its 66-foot wingspan and the ability to carry up to 1.5 tons of laser-guided bombs and other ordnances makes the Predator look like a fluttering sparrow.

And over Iraq, the Reaper can do the targeting-pod recon and close-air support that manned jets most commonly find themselves tasked with at a fraction of the cost (Reapers cost $18 million each, compared to three times that much for an F-16). Not to mention without the operational expenses or potential danger to the pilots, who can be in Las Vegas munching Taco Bell with their families. [Strategy Page via /.]