Thank you, @litguru--you never know what you will trigger when you write something. This was entirely inspired by you and @azircon. Of course I have read Asimov. I love Asimov. I think I went through all the classic science fiction writers at one time or another, starting with H.G., who is probably the granddaddy of modern science fiction.

I may have read I Robot, but a reread is always in the cards for me when I enjoy a book.

When I began this story it was a kernel, started by two bloggers. I didn't know where it was going. This end seemed the most inevitable to me.

Let's hope there is something in the cards neither you nor I see. I mean, nobody predicted fission. Nobody predicted the double helix. Nobody predicted quantum physics. There were steps along the way, but always we have managed to surprise ourselves. Let's hope we do that in a good way.

Thanks again for that very thoughtful response.