Gary Hohbein ’98 penned Barney, a story about the philosophy of technology and the arrival of robots in our homes. Uncle John , who lives a hermit-like lifestyle in his log cabin with only his dog Barney, becomes the subjects of a technology experiment one day when a first-generation social robot mysteriously appears in his backyard. His indifference turns philosophical as he realizes its capabilities as not only a replacement for performing daily activities but as a threat to reflective thought and what makes him human. As the experimenters become impatient, John’s reflections turn to rage and a plot for revenge. Barney is available on Amazon.