The possibility that artificial creatures, products of human hands, might achieve sentience and take on an active role in society is an age-old conception in world cultures, the subject of myths, stories, moral fables, and philosophical speculation.

In Greek mythology one finds the tale of Pygmalion who carves a statue named Galatea with whom he falls in love and who eventually comes to life.  In Jewish folklore there are stories of the Golem, an artificial creature animated with surprising results.  In Norse legends there are reports of clay giants able to move on their own accord.  An ancient Chinese text there describes the work of Yan Shi who in the 10th century B.C. crafted a humanoid figure with lifelike qualities.

The collision early in the morning of June 19 off the coast of Japan between the destroyer USS Fitzgerald the Philippines-registered container ship ACX Crystal caused considerable damage to the US vessel and, tragically, killed seven US sailors trapped in the hull.  Evidently, it was only through heroic efforts of the ship’s crew that the Fitzgerald was prevented from sinking altogether.

Perhaps as a ploy to deflect the wave of intense criticism that followed his decision to withdrawal the U.S. from the Paris Accord on Climate Change, Donald Trump recently floated the idea of placing solar panels atop his anti-immigrant wall along the Mexican border.