Page 2/Tuesday, June 10, 1986/The Battalion Opinion Robots for heroes promote owe for machines, not men I found a fringe benefit at the bot- tom of my break fast cereal the other morning — a “Starbot.” It was a cheap, plastic im itation of the latest rage in children’s toys — toys that turn into heroic robots. The real things are called Transfor mers or Gobots or Voltrons or several other names. Basically they’re model cars and trucks with parts that twist around until they look like humanoid machines. Most of the toys have cartoon shows in the afternoon and a slew of spin-off toys such as board games, masks and wrist watches. I’m not one to believe that the toys a child plays with will cause brain damage or warped spines in later years. After all, I grew up in the days of Vampire Blood, Stretch Armstrong and Green Slime in a Gan and my posture is fine. But this cars-as-heroes craze stems from a broader attitude spawned by the computer boom of the ’80s — machines can do anything, including save the world. Robot heroes have been around almost as long as the concept of robotics. The Human Torch, a flaming android comic book hero, debuted in 1939. The only difference is that the Torch looked human, and despite his internal compo nents, he was called human. But cosmetic appearances became less important. The forerunner of the Transformers were the Shogun War riors — giant, Japanese monster- fighting robots that were controlled by people. They were machines, but they were under direct human control. Then came Rom, the Spaceknight, a man who had been turned into a machine. Despite his mechanical body, he was supposed to have human emotions. Now we have Transformers, Gobots, Voltrons, Starbots, etc. — mechanized heroes that look like something the Hu man Torch would have fought against, not beside. They even have secret identi ties. They’re cars one minute, do- gooders the next. It’s a Toyota’s fantasy come to life. This theme of technology as a savior also is found in movies such as “Tron” and television mind-jello like “Knight Rider,” to name only a few. The message is that once microcircuits assume human characteristics, they can save the day bet ter than people. It sounds like a great sales pitch for President Reagan’s Strate gic Defense Initiative. While the long-term effects may be minimal, the immediate results are a lack of concern for dealing with people. In stead of respecting and interacting with others, kids’ admiration and attention is focused on machines. Gars, no matter how classy, make lousy role models, and misdirected vehicular affection can se riously af fect career goals. “What do you want to be when you grow up, sonny?” “I want to be a Dodge Ram Van that turns into a Decepticon.” The ’80s has brought about the acceptance of high technology. Children are weaned on video games and portable stereos. Technology is the key to the doorway of the future, limited only by man’s imagination. In the past, movies such as “Dr. Strangelove” warned tis that runaway technology could be our downfall. Now, shows like the Transformers encourage it. Machines, not men, are the preservers of justice and the protectors of good. But this mechanical mindset misses a key factor: Someone has to build the machines, someone has to maintain them and someone, in some form, has to control them. Machines, high tech or not, are only tools. T hey may be awe inspiring and they may make our lives easier, but they are not our replace ments. It's an obvious point, but one that’s easily forgotten. I’m opposed to technological adv ances. Recent breakthroughs in compu ter technology make the production of this paper much easier than ten years ago. But no matter how easy they make my job, machines still need to mind their place. The day my car turns into a robot and starts fighting bad guys — or even helps an old lady across the street — is the day I start buying a new kind of breakfast cereal. Loren Steffy is a senior journalism major and the Opinion Page editor for The Battalion. Loren Steffy Helping educated women overcome marriage odds According to last week’s News week, single edu cated women over 35 will only have a 5 percent chance of getting married. Since their . careers had prece dence over mar riage, the working women start look ing for “Mr. Right” much later in life. Too late in most cases because he already has been captured by Little Miss Muffet, who couldn’t care less for a title on her door. How do I know so much? I have been serving as a volunteer matchmaker for my friends over the years. The hours are long and the work isn’t easy. Some weeks back a lady friend said to me, “I’m looking for ‘Mr. Right’ and I want you to handle my case.” “You have to take a number. I now represent seven women, all of whom have asked me to find them a man.” “I must have priority. I'm turning 40 next week,” she said. “All right, but first I have to get a profile on you. I would like to ask you a few questions. What kind of man are you looking for?” “I’m not fussy,” she said. “Any super achiever will do.” 1 “How about something on the order of a vice president of a large insurance company?” I suggested. “He doesn’t have to have a title as long as he is financially independent. I don’t want to get involved with someone who looks up to me only because of my in- 'come or my position.” “T hat sounds reasonable.” “Find me a caring, loving man who J understands my many moods and will adjust to them.” “That sounds fair.” “And I don’t want anyone who is still in therapy.” “Now you’re making it harder.” “I have very good administrative ta lents. Three hundred people answer to me. They say I’m firm but fair,” she said. “Yet the w r ord on the street is that you carry the iron fist you use all day home with you at night.” “People are jealous because of my fast rise to the top which prevented me from competing for the man of my dreams. I’m confident you can find ‘Mr. Right’ now because he probably is unhappily married and at this very moment sear ching intensely for someone like me.” “It’s not as easy to find an eligible man over 40 as one might think.” “Who says he has to be over 40? Any one 21 years and up may apply.” “I don’t have to many suitable 21-year- olds on my Rolodex,” I told her. “All I ask is that he be emotionally secure.” “You just made my task impossible.” “I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not desperate. I’m very happy with my situation. I have a lovely apartment, a large office, an American Express credit card and a cat named Sophie.” “I’m glad to hear that,” I said, “be cause your case, while not the most diffi cult, is not the easiest either. Gould you give me any idea of how determined you are to find ‘Mr. Right’?” “I’d go out with my UPS truck driver if he asked me.” “One more question. What sports do yoti like?” “I adore tennis. I can wipe up the court with almost any man I play with,” she said. “Would you consider letting ‘Mr. Right’ win just a few games until you know each other better?” “I’m not that desperate.” Copyright 1986, Los Angeles Times Syndicate Mail Call ■Texas agement 1 the counti third bv a ■ a itena Potty permits new revenue-generotor' l I ;' 1 .i 1 ;’ j;;; the natioi departme guideline.' EDITOR I just wanted to commend the University Police on the fine job th- Relations doing in parking enforcement. Their enthusiasm is unsurpassed.It oi l Manat was driving around campus and every lot I passed had one of thostl c V <)lal l '’ officers in blue hot on the trail of one of those wanton parking crirait. at l) iicu sim/jci npcniU'd ns n coninumii\ ihc ,mtInn .md do nnt ntrcssiuil} HS/HI/H'I Ini students in t cptn tinfj;. editing mid iihntn^iajihx i I lif Haualion /• /(•<*(•.S/.p/o/;. O/iininii's csjiicsscd in I fit- Batlaliou me those of the Editot i;il Bom (I opinions <>l I c\.is \N.\I .tdininisttmoi s. Im iill\ 01 the Btmtd oiRegents. I hf Baiialion also set \ Pt jEit tineiii til fniii n.tlisin I Ik- H.m.ilioii is published Mondax thinu\>h Etid;t\ dining l exus AXM icgiilm seincsteis. cMcpt lot lin/irfjiji>) nation pet inds Mail suhsi i iptintis m e SIti.T.’t pet setnesiei. SJJ.1U5 pei school \ cm mid S.'ia pci hill win. Admits* Ini nished on trc/i/rsf. dm .ulthess: | he W.iu,iVinu. W Reed MiDonuld Building. Ecxus A&M ini\ ersitx. College Station. 'u i ond i lass postage pailful College Station. IX 77S-l:i. ROS l \l \S / / R Send addt ess ihanges l lie lUttialion. 'J Hi Reed McDonald. I exits \&M L ni\cisii\,Col\(f