How we cite our quotes: (Story title.paragraph)
Quote #4
"I sensed that an order was sent, but there was never time to receive it." (Catch that Rabbit.127)
The "positronic field" is a bit of technobabble (not even Powell and Donovan know how it works). But it's a useful reminder to us how close "language" is related to technology. That is, even writing was an invention, as were the printing press and Twitter. Communication tends to be tied to technology, and new technologies may bring new opportunities and problems. So, in the case of the "positronic field," the robots are presented with a weird situation: they sense an order, but don't receive it.
Quote #5
"It's your fiction that interests me. Your studies of the interplay of human motives and emotions"—his mighty hand gestured vaguely as he sought the proper words. (Liar.40)
Herbie isn't a human, so only novels can help him when he tries to understand human thoughts and feelings. This is another example of a different method of communication: Robbie can't talk, so he makes motions; Herbie needs to find out how people feel, so he reads novels.
Quote #6
"You told him to go away?" asked Dr. Calvin with sharp interest. "In just those words? Did you say 'Go away'? Try to remember the exact words." (Little Lost Robot.90)
As in "Runaround," part of the story of "Little Lost Robot" is not just what people say, but how they say it. Gerald Black didn't just tell Nestor-10 to leave him alone—he used a lot of swear words and harsh language. So robots aren't just sensitive to what is said; they're also sensitive to how it's said.