Wes Phillips

"Every time [the robot] found a mine, blew it up and lost a limb, it picked itself up and readjusted to move forward on its remaining legs, continuing to clear a path through the minefield.

"Finally it was down to one leg. Still, it pulled itself forward. Tilden was ecstatic. The machine was working splendidly.

"The human in command of the exercise, however—an Army colonel—blew a fuse.

"The colonel ordered the test stopped.

"Why? asked Tilden. What's wrong?

"The colonel just could not stand the pathos of watching the burned, scarred and crippled machine drag itself forward on its last leg.

"This test, he charged, was inhumane."