Code Of The Life Maker

Author: James P. Hogan

Hogan's 1983 science fiction novel used NASA's Advanced Automation for Space Missions as its inspiration for Earth astronauts meeting the Taloids, robots who have colonized Saturn's moon Titan. Around 1,000,000 B.C., began settling worlds in their galaxy, and sent out robotics factories. One ship was nearly hit by a supernova and went off course landing on Titan. Its database malfunctioned and it began making flawed copies that evolve into humanoid robots. In the 21st century, NASA and NATO (NASO) prepare to terraform Mars for human habitation by sending the space ship Orion out. They are met by an outcast, Thirg, a Taloid who mistakes them for "the Lifemaker" (the alien race who built the Taloids) because they came from the sky. Thirg's brother arrives to capture him, but Thirg sends him back to their city as a prophet. One of the Orion crew discovers NASO has plans to exploit Titan's resources and use Taloids as slave labor, and becomes the inadvertent mediator and peacemaker. This novel is beautifully written, and makes for an interesting philosophical discussion about what makes someone human, and the state of Being, with his robot societies that have family units, religious beliefs, and leaders of state. Philosophy aside, it satirizes some human interests that are still relevant in the real 21st century.