He, She, and It Reflection

While reading Chris' post, he mentions how the law prohibits human-shaped cyborgs. But why is it only human-shaped cyborgs? What if Avram made a cyborg in the shape of a little dog? A cyborg still possesses the same amount of intelligence no matter what shape it is. From the wording of the law, the society doesn't fear cyborgs, but anything that takes the shape of a human and is not biologically human. Maybe this is the equivalent to identity theft in 2059: a human cyborg looking exactly like you and taking over your life.

Also, I think the house is alive. Here's why: 1). Near the end of the chapter "Fifteen years before: The day of Alef", it offers Shira advice on love (although that could have been programmed by Malkah since she would program relationship advice into a computer). It's trying to help 13 year old Shira as any best friend or mother would. 2). The house seemed to show emotions like any other living being. Piercy writes, "The computer sounded hopeful" (End of chapter 5) or "I obey," the house said as if glumly (chapter 41). And when the house first meets Yod, Shira notes its disapproval.

The house reminded me of Joseph whenever Malkah or Shira gave a command, it would respond "I obey" just as Joseph did. Both couldn't disobey their commands, but the house found a way around the commands, not like Yod did by disobeying. The house would obey, but still show disapproval and resistance while obeying. For example, when Shira told the house to let Yod in for the nth time, the house "opened the door and kept it swinging back and forth all".

If the house is not considered alive like Mike in the Moon, then it certainly only a step or two away. Maybe it doesn't have enough "neuristors", but it shouldn't be disregarded like any plain computer.