Joanne Pransky: Rest in Peace (1959-2023)

It is with great sadness that I share that Joanne Pransky, the World’s First Robotic Psychiatrist, and who Isaac Asimov called the real Susan Calvin passed away recently. I had some great conversations with him, including interviews and a moderator panel.

Joanne is a tireless advocate for robotics AND women in robotics. He does not have an advanced degree in robotics but has worked in the robotics industry and later in robotic trade journals- he has quite an eye for finding technology very useful versus hype. Her enthusiasm and desire to continue learning is an inspiration to me and I am honored to know her as a friend. I interviewed him a few years ago about Asimov which you can see here. He shows how amazing it is Asimov- at the age of 19 to write about robots and imagine them in a positive way, as helpers, companions, tools to enable us to do more “human” things – not gunfights, taking over the world of Frankenstein’s monster motifs. Joanne was one of the first to really push for what is now called human-centered robotics– that there are always humans involved in any robotic system.

Since he knew Asimov, he was in a good position to discuss Dr. Susan Calvin- possibly the worst stereotype of a female robot ever- no family, no friends, totally obsessed with work. You should definitely hear the discussion- I don’t want to spoil it by trying to paraphrase it. I don’t know if Alec Nevala-Lee, author of Astounding:John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and Golden Age of Science Fiction- great book, you should read it, will agree but it sure is adds a whole new dimension to understanding- and enjoying- Asimov’s robot story.

I also moderated the 100 Years of RUR panel with Joanne and Jeremy Brett for the We Robot 2021 conference. The talk and commentary were brilliant. While I’ve always heard that “robot” comes from the Czech word “robota”, he points out that “robota” comes from the Greek work “orphanos” meaning change of state (like orphan) – where the “o” and “r” are interchanged in Slavic language. So the root of RUR isn’t just drudgery, being a robot is also a lower status. Those two words convey exactly what Capek is trying to express about the dehumanization of workers. What an interesting detail!

That sums up Joanne: smart, sees things others miss, warm, positive, enthusiastic, interesting, wants everyone to know more, do more, have a better life through robotics.

Joanna, I miss you.

And if you never meet her, please see the interview: