Project Tau

[Brenda Creech]

To me, Project Tau was more of a human than a robot. This is because the early stages of Project Tau can be related to that of an obedient child, who does whatever he or she has been instructed to. At some point, we could see that Project Tau, just like humans, started growing into a teenager with curiosity the moment Kalin began to question his every reasoning. The fact that he gave in to peer pressure, and saw the need to embark on the quest for freedom is an ultimate move to the conclusion that Project Tau is human.

I didn't think of him as a robot, he just made me think of some of the new robots that have been made! You're absolutely right about giving in to the peer pressure. I imagine he will advance even more in the next book.

[Nzube Chizoba Okeke]

I don't think he should be thought of as a robot but a clone that he is. I believe Robots are programmed and not exactly subject to change. They run on an already existing programme. Project Tau possessed feelings and his entire character only portrayed him as an obedient being who eventually got an eye opener bringing about a change.

[Realsy]

I knew he was a clone so I thought of him as one. He was a full grown man that was grown in a vat. Tau had a brain that was not used enough yet. He was only a few months old and had limited interaction, memories, experience, etc. Once Kalin/Kata entered on the scene, Tau had access to knew ideas, opinions, etc. Tau was not being as abused as Kata because he was conditioned to listen so the handlers had no reason to hurt him until after Kata started making him question everything. Kata made Tau's life both better and worse.

[zhenya_reads]

I also felt like Tau was programmed and didn't know anything else. I wanted to cry when it was revealed that Tau was actually raped and from his reaction it was obvious that he had feelings and that those feelings got heavily violated.

I was also wondering how this would work if Kata never came to the facility and Tau would be sent out to work - would he eventually realize that he's been enslaved or would the programming last?

[vermontelf]

This goes back to mental development being more a physiological process (you will mature no matter what) and environmental process (you will mature as we demonstrate to you). It seemed completely believable that Tau had only matured as far as they let him until he was shown more worldly views. He did seem to learn quickly, which may have been less believable, but I was able to set that aside.

[Brenda Creech]

I don't think he should be thought of as a robot but a clone that he is. I believe Robots are programmed and not exactly subject to change. They run on an already existing programme. Project Tau possessed feelings and his entire character only portrayed him as an obedient being who eventually got an eye opener bringing about a change.

I agree. I guess my original post must not have been clear. I know he is a clone in the book. His mannerisms just made me think of the modern-day robots such as Sophie. I saw videos of this robot on Youtube and she is more real looking and sounding than I ever hoped to see a robot be! Clones can learn from their surroundings I suppose over time. I just think science is messing around with too much that they shouldn't be and in the long run will get more than anyone bargained for. Just saying!

[Brenda Creech]

This goes back to mental development being more a physiological process (you will mature no matter what) and environmental process (you will mature as we demonstrate to you). It seemed completely believable that Tau had only matured as far as they let him until he was shown more worldly views. He did seem to learn quickly, which may have been less believable, but I was able to set that aside.

Right! Until Kalin came along he was taught only what the scientists wanted him to be taught and he didn't have anything else to compare it with.

[Brenda Creech]

I also felt like Tau was programmed and didn't know anything else. I wanted to cry when it was revealed that Tau was actually raped and from his reaction it was obvious that he had feelings and that those feelings got heavily violated.

I was also wondering how this would work if Kata never came to the facility and Tau would be sent out to work - would he eventually realize that he's been enslaved or would the programming last?

That's a great question! I think, as quickly as he learned from Kata, that he would have perhaps begun to realize how badly he had been treated.

[SurroundedByBooks]

I didn’t feel he was like a robot. He was grown at the facility and all he had ever known was the way the scientists treated him. I think his personality would be incredibly bland and compliant without any outside stimulation. Yet, when he got the opportunity he showed his curiosity when he had a chance to ask questions of Kalin.

[vermontelf]

I also felt like Tau was programmed and didn't know anything else. I wanted to cry when it was revealed that Tau was actually raped and from his reaction it was obvious that he had feelings and that those feelings got heavily violated.

I was also wondering how this would work if Kata never came to the facility and Tau would be sent out to work - would he eventually realize that he's been enslaved or would the programming last?

That's a great question! I think, as quickly as he learned from Kata, that he would have perhaps begun to realize how badly he had been treated.

That is a great question, that I hadn't considered. I think perhaps he would have observed the "unfairness" but not known the concept of "fair" unless someone took him under their wing like Kata did.

[Brenda Creech]

I didn’t feel he was like a robot. He was grown at the facility and all he had ever known was the way the scientists treated him. I think his personality would be incredibly bland and compliant without any outside stimulation. Yet, when he got the opportunity he showed his curiosity when he had a chance to ask questions of Kalin.

That is all very true. He was programmed, in a sense, to obey everything he was told because that is all he knew until Kalin came along and enlightened him.

[Brenda Creech]

I knew he was a clone so I thought of him as one. He was a full grown man that was grown in a vat. Tau had a brain that was not used enough yet. He was only a few months old and had limited interaction, memories, experience, etc. Once Kalin/Kata entered on the scene, Tau had access to knew ideas, opinions, etc. Tau was not being as abused as Kata because he was conditioned to listen so the handlers had no reason to hurt him until after Kata started making him question everything. Kata made Tau's life both better and worse.

Well said! I had not thought about him being only a few months old in his mind. His body was grown but he wasn't. Thanks for the insight!

[Ari Martinez]

He definitely wasn't a robot, just someone who has never experienced anything different. A person's view of what is normal depends completely on his upbringing. Tau was taught to be submissive and loyal since the very beginning, that was his "normal." How was he supposed to know any different if no one else taught him? All Tau needed was someone to teach him otherwise and boom!

[tanner87cbs]

I don’t think the project was robotic. I would lean towards rightfully ignorant. He was basically a toddler in a young mans body from one vantage point. An organic product of his environment.

[Brenda Creech]

He definitely wasn't a robot, just someone who has never experienced anything different. A person's view of what is normal depends completely on his upbringing know any different if no one else taught him? All Tau needed was someone to teach him otherwise and boom!

You are right, and he was a quick learner! If Kalin hadn't shown up I wonder if Renfield would have eventually helped him in some way. He seemed to be the only decent scientist involved!