Clifford Simak explored the idea of engineered dogs in his Sci Fi classic "City" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0722178573/qid=1076428723/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/002-2222912-8000041?v=glance&s=books), which I read years ago but recommend to everyone. Simak's character theorizes that dogs are smart enough to be literate and to speak if only their vision was improved and their mouths were reconstructed to permit a greater range of sounds. The result was something akin to slightly retarded by high-functioning humans with lots of talents beyond human abilities. The one problem is that he also theorizes that ants are only held back by their lack of leisure time. If their needs were taken care of (hunting, gathering, heating), and their colonies were seeded with basic tools (little carts, wagons), their civilization might take off. The result is that centuries later the ants destroy human civilization by building robot-fleas that enter the ears of the re-engineered dogs and take control of their brains. Very cool. Would make a fabulous Pixar movie.

Time for a contest: "What Sci-Fi/Horror Film is This Terrifying Headline Most Like?"

For today's terrifying headline, I'll start the bidding with Tom Selleck's timeless classic, "Runaway," (co-starring Gene Simmons!) which is described on IMDB thusly:

"A tough cop is assigned the dangerous task of discovering who is responsible for a rash of killings perpetrated by rebellious robots."

I think voting is mandatory for Greg Pak, our in-house specialist in both robots and emotional truth.

PS - Starting February 13, don't miss Robot Stories at NYC's Cinema Village! Vengeful homicidal robots get in free!

PPS -- Looks like MS submitted his entry before I finished my post! Unfortunately, for that reason, we'll have to disqualify him. Excellent effort, though.