Meta: Origin of 'Robot Terror'

Historical Note: This post was originally published in 2009 on the now-defunct platform Posterous. It has been rescued from the Wayback Machine’s archives, which faithfully preserved this sole copy for over a decade.

Some may know that my nickname is "Robot Terror" but not realize how this nickname came to be mine. Well, I earned it! Back in 1989 I worked for now defunct Businessland as an inside sales representative between semesters in college. In 1989 the retail computer business was thriving but declining against the direct sales approach innovated by up-and-coming giants like Dell Computer. Still, the margins were high enough that a large number of former used car salesmen flocked to retail computer sales to escape the declining margins in that business. It was in this environment that I found myself selling PCs -- branded and not -- and Macs on the north side of Austin, TX.

One day as I was finishing paperwork in the back of the showroom I noticed that a young gentleman was trying to get the attention of my xenophobic co-workers. Seeing that he was not being helped I left my paperwork and asked if there was anything I could do for him. He told me he was wanting to buy the biggest Macintosh available as soon as possible -- and pay cash. I forget the specific model, but believe it was the Mac IIci. This young man turned out to be an IBM employee visiting IBM's Austin offices from IBM Japan. He worked on the AIX development team and needed a computer that had full Kanji support, which he identified as the Macintosh. Oh, yes, he was a native of Japan and this likely had much to do with his lack of attention from my former-used-carsalesmen co-workers.

Off this one sale I made my monthly quota (margins for the win!). On delivery day I was in the back putting in an over-sized hard drive (the licensed technicians were not allowed to substitute unrated devices so I put the whopping 80MB hard drive in myself). While I was putting his system together he came into the store eager to pickup his new machine.

After a bit of a wait, again, someone finally approached him to find out what he might need. This customer told him he wished to speak to me, Robert Taylor. The salesman who helped the elite IBM AIX developer tried to redirect him to Radio Shack. The former used car salesman told the customer that Businessland didn't carry the toy or game he requested but Radio Shack just might have what he wanted. The customer, puzzled, explained again he wanted to speak with me. Again, the salesman said he could not help him. Then the customer explained he was there to get his new Mac from Robert Taylor. Finally, the salesman understood the intended request and went to the intercomm.

Now, from the salesman's perspective he heard the young foreigner ask for some kind of game or toy called "Robot Terror." Only after several back and forth exchanges did he realize he wanted to speak with me. Once he realized his mistaken comprehension of the elite IBM AIX developer's request he picked up the intercomm and announced, over the store-wide speakers, "Robot Terror you have a customer upfront. Robot Terror."

“Ever since then I've treasured this mispronunciation of my family and given names as a reminder that xenophobia doesn't pay!”

Immediately, even though unaware of this entire exchange, I realized, to my horror, what had happened. This valued customer was being mocked on the public address system. I hurriedly gathered the new Mac IIci and rushed to the front. When I saw the customer I must have had a look of embarrassment because he reassured me he wasn't offended. In fact, I should keep the malapropism as it was funny. Total class, this customer! Ever since then I've treasured this mispronunciation of my family and given names as a reminder that xenophobia doesn't pay! I love telling people I'm "Robot Terror" and each time recall the grace and class of this elite but under-appreciated customer I had the honor of serving.

I am Robot Terror!

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