The Last Machine in the Solar System

It is fascinating to hear the voice and perspective of The Last Machine in the Solar System in Matthew Isaac Sobin’s story of the same name. One journeys here to the end of the solar system when the sun explodes again. Humans have left the area, but Jonathan, the last robot, has remained, accompanied by his creator, Nikolai, for part of this tale. Despite our absence, there is still something of ourselves left in the form of this robot that speaks for some of us also. He muses philosophically about the meaning of existence like some of us have.

The story is not very long; not quite a novelette but a nice two hour read. There are also compelling illustrations by Jack Katz included. It is not very original with the end of of the solar system, robots, solitude, and profound thinking. One can eke out a sense of wonder from this, though, and it is fine for younger folks as it’s not controversial or edgy. It will remind one of Isaac Asimov, whose stories about robots were historic in the history of science fiction. Sobin’s self-conscious robot is not noticeably different, but it cares about us as well.