ROBOTIC VIOLENCE ---------------- By: Muthergoose

In response to the public's demand for violence, there has been agrowing trend for violence of a robotic nature. All aspects of the media and entertainment industry are alluding to this. This concept is not a new one. In fact it has already been proven pop-ular in the entertainment of the past and present. Movies such as "Robot Jox" have won over a cult following. Video-games of this genra have also proven succesful such as "Metaltech", "MechWarrior", and "Nuke'm Duke'm Robots". For younger audiences, shows over the years, such as "Voltron", "Transformers", "Go-Bots", and "Power Rangers" haveall been smash hits. Books and games have featuring "BattleTech" and "Robo-Tech" have met with comercial succes. Toys have have been marketed such asthe plastic boxing game- "Rock'em Sock'em Robots", or our personal favorite,the radio controlled, "Power Gladiators". The event that probably best embodied the robotic violence movementwas the competition called "ROBOWARS" held in California in 1994. This con-test, hosted by ILM's chief model builder consisted of a giant arena in whichradio controlled metal menaces hacked away at each other using chainsaws,lawnmower blades, etc. What are the factors that contribute to the success of robotic viol-ence? Well, it all goes back to an ancient Roman tradition of the circusmaximus to please the masses. People enjoyed seeing violence then, and theyenjoy seeing it now. Robot combat brings elements of boxing, fighting, and gladiator combat that were popular durring the age of the Roman Empire. Butwhy use robots as the fighters? Well this prevents humans from being harmed which would raise serious morale issues. Also, people are simply attracted totechnology. People find sleek technology appealing and will also be able to revel in the challenges of robotic design. With all that has been going on in the field of robotic combat, perhaps one day, we will be able to turn on the T.V. and see an actual boutbetween larger-than-life robots. An entertainment of the variety we call,"Robotic Violence."