[August 12, 2012] The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky., Lee Ward column Tweet ASHLAND, Aug 12, 2012 (The Daily Independent - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The medical community has combined two things I'm afraid of to create a creature that's supposed to be helpful to people. From the sound of it, I'm sure there's potential, if perfected, for this invention to improve, even save, lives. But I don't like the sound of it at all. The invention is a robotic snake which would be used to perform surgeries. So far, the uses include ear, nose and throat surgeries but it has potential to work on the human heart. There are two things about it that I don't like: snakes and robotics. Everyone knows I'm petrified by snakes. The stories about my terror are seemingly endless. I don't like their faces, I don't like the way they move and I don't like that they don't have arms or legs. There's also something indefinable about snakes that set me running away from the scene even before I fully realize I've seen one, or a picture of one. However, not many know about my deep-seated fear of robots, which has manifest most vividly in dreams. One of the first dreams I can remember was about my mom buying a robot to help her around the house. This robot, which looked at lot like Rosie from the cartoon "The Jetsons," did all the housework and was so sweet to my mom. But, behind her back, the robot was constantly threatening me and trying to get me in trouble. When I told my mom about it, she didn't believe me, always siding with the robot. I was petrified by the thing. Years later, my robot dream became more age appropriate. I dreamed the robot, this one shaped more like the Rainbow-brand vacuum cleaner, was chasing me. I don't know why, but this pile of metal had it out for me. I remember hiding in the basement of our church to avoid its powerful laser. Clearly, the combination snake and robot is something that strikes fear, even if it is illogical fear, in my heart. Yet, it sounds like a very good invention with many positive possibilities. If a robotic snake is ever used for surgery on me, they'll just have to make sure they put me under good before they set it loose on me. LEE WARD can be reached at [email protected] or (606) 326-2661. ___ (c)2012 The Daily Independent (Ashland, Ky.) Visit The Daily Independent (Ashland, Ky.) at www.dailyindependent.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]