I, Robot Novel by Isaac Asimov
Based on the issues between the two main “love” interests, write an essay that discusses the pros and cons of romantic relationships on the job. What are the problems? What are the risks? Defend a position for good, bad, or “it depends…” Bring in personal experiences if you think that would help, but do try to relate it to the novel’s characters and plot, (Asimov).
Workplace romantic relationships.
The long hours spent at the workplace may prompt an occurrence of workplace romance. Although such relationships are highly discouraged, they occur every now and then. However, most of them are kept as a private matter between the two people. While some of these relationships may be triggered by ill intentions like the desire to get a promotion, most of them are voluntary. In most cases, such relationships do not work, but some do, even to a point of marriage. These relationships have both negative and positive implications, both to the individuals involved and the organization at large. By the end of this essay, it will be clear that these workplace relationships are not supposed to be encouraged. The discussion covers the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the risks involved in such relationships, by studying the romantic interest that Dr Calvin has towards Milton Ashe in the book I Robot by Isaac Asimov.
Susan Calvin is a robot-psychologist in the text, and she has developed love interest on her coworker, Isaac Asimov. However, she does not let it known to Ashe that she is attracted to him. Somehow, she feels like she is not worth to be loved back by Ashe and that is why she keeps the secret to herself. This has the potential of distracting an employee from doing their work. For instance, instead of sticking to her work, she goes to the Herbie, a robot, to enquire from him whether Ashe could possibly love her. The bitterness in the way she expresses herself can prove that the issue could be distracting her. Allowing oneself to grow personal interests towards a coworker can lead into unnecessary hurting, especially if they lack the courage to get it off their chest. This hurt is worsened by the fact that you get to see the person you are interested in every day. Consequently, one’s concentration at work is negatively affected.
People in a workplace relationship are attempted to spent most of their time working together. Time that should be directed towards office work is wasted on intimate meetings. This can end up affecting one’s job performance, which boils down into affecting the organization’s productivity at large. During a conversation with B, Ashe mentions that he has been spending a lot of time with Susan lately. Since Ashe is not aware of the fact that Calvin is attracted to him, we can conclude that these frequent meetings are initiated by Susie. There is a critical problem at hand, which is finding out what fault could have led into Herbie’s capability to read people’s minds. The time that these two characters are spending together could be put into finding the solution to the problem facing the company. Such behavior is capable of contributing into loss of job, especially if the productivity of the person keeps going down and the management becomes aware of the relationship.
Due to the much time spent together, chaos might arise from the relationship. When people in love are together most the time, the possibility of getting a disagreement and consequently getting into a fight is high. This as well can cost one their job. It is the constant meetings between the two characters that make Ashe to start confiding in Susie. During one of these meetings, Ashe ends up telling Susan about his intention of marrying a girl that Herbie has convinced Dr Calvin that she was Ashe’s first cousin. Susan’s heart is broken and her hope of having a romantic relationship with Ashe is killed. In a case where a physical fight sets in between the lovers, there is a possibility of causing destruction to the organization’s property. For instance, they might break stuff like office décor or electronics such as desktops. Although Susan’s case is a little bit different, she causes destruction by stirring Herbie’s insanity. Clearly, she does this on purpose. When Lanning points this out, she puts across the question, ‘what if I did?’. This is an indication that causing the robot’s insanity was intentional. All this is brought up by the fact that the Herbie lied to her that Ashe loved her. She brings about the robot’s insanity by continuously confronting Herbie with the dilemma facing him; either to give Peter and Lanning the solution they are seeking or not. Either way, it would break the first law of robots which is not to hurt human being. We can therefore agree that on-job relationships can be destructive. If Susan did not develop personal interest towards, then Herbie would still be functional, and maybe a way could be figured out on how he would provide the solution without necessarily breaking the first law.
The chapter that follows mentions how Susan looks frail which is definitely as a result of the hurt she is experiencing. One would imagine the pain she undergoes every time she sets her eyes on Ashe. Since the two are coworkers, although Susan holds a higher position, there is obviously a likelihood of the two attending meetings together. In this case, Susan must apply optimal self-control if at all she is to be productive in the meeting. Workers who involve their selves in office relationships face a greater risk of becoming totally unable to deliver once the relationship falls out. Some people may even opt out of job since they cannot stomach seeing the partner, they just broke up with all the time. To avoid this, it is better to avoid involving oneself in such relationships.
Again, having a confidant at workplace can be a big relief. Ashe tells Susan that she is the only confidant he has at the workplace. This is why he discusses his personal life, like getting a house and marrying, with Susie. Susan is said to like keeping a secret until she knows everything. The fact that she tells Ashe before everyone else about Herbie’s ability to solve mathematical problems shows that she is also confiding in Ashe. However, if the partner one confides in does not keep the information to their selves, trouble may arise. It is therefore a risk of its own, confiding in a fellow worker. For example, if Susan did not tell Ashe about the robot’s ability to solve mathematical problems, then Bogart and Lanning would not have gotten into a disagreement.
In conclusion, on-job relationships should be avoided at all costs. The involve great risks like losing one’s job, causing destruction to the company’s property, among others. The limitations surpass the benefits.
Works Cited
Asimov, Isaac. “I, Robort.” Asimov, Isaac. I, Robort. Street and Smith Publications, Inc, 1950. 63-76.