Machines will rule the world News Posted by Ian Symes on 1st November 2005, 13:50 Most of us will have already seen the Barclays ad that’s being played in every single ad break at the moment, but for the benefit of our American cousins, here’s a transcript. See if you can guess which character Norman plays…WOMAN: What you got there, Ray? RAY: This little fella is gonna revolutionise how we give financial advice to our customers. MAN: Well, switch it on then! [He does so.] CYBOT: I am Cybot. I know the answer to every question you can ever think of, ever. WOMAN 2: Ask it something! RAY: OK, erm, can you tell us the best way to invest our customers’ money? CYBOT: [beep] Yes. [A pause while the bankers grin and coo.] RAY: Well? CYBOT: I don’t want to. [The bankers look confused.] RAY: Why not? CYBOT: What would be the point? I have rendered all of you obsolete. RAY: Right, that’s not actually supposed to hap… CYBOT: I’m running Barclays now. MAN: Hang on… CYBOT: Machines will rule the world. WOMAN: Can you switch it off? MAN: But… I’ve got a wife and kids! [CYBOT zooms off on its wheels, heading for the door.] CYBOT Out of my way! I am too powerful for your tiny minds. [As he speeds off, CYBOT’s mains cable becomes taut and the plug is wrenched from the socket. CYBOT: Oh, bo… [Sapped of power, CYBOT’s voice fades out.] VOICEOVER: At Barclays, we’re always looking for ways to bring you the best investments from leading providers. Barclays. Now there’s a thought. RAY: Needs a bit of rewiring…
Sadly not – he’s basically a talking base unit. But with a perspex case and lights that flash up when he talks.
>Is Cybot a floating face on a screen? Or is that asking too much? No, it’s actually a rather ugly looking basic mass of wires and machinery on castors.
He’s that cube from Blake’s 7, basically. Orac, was it? Or was Orac the one that looked like a disco dancefloor propped up against a wall? I forget.