Uncanny Truth

Based on our discussion in class about “Be Right Back”, it’s quite clear that this film has stirred up something in us all. This disturbing movie has definitely raised some very important questions to our young and vulnerable generation. Once again, my thoughts on this topic of androids and technology may be totally opposed to what others believe (hopefully not), so please feel free to comment and I will gladly answer any questions.

            One of the key questions raised by this film is, “Is it ethical to recreate a dead loved one for the purpose of coping with their loss?” First of all, it just does not make sense to me how having a robotic replica of a loved one could be considered a coping tool. That is not coping, that is denial. Secondly, based on the Christian ethics I believe in, it is extremely wrong to try to create or recreate another “person.” That being said, we must decide on what a person is. We generally define a person as a being who has consciousness, is aware of this consciousness, and can think and act freely. While all of those things are true, Scripture gives a better understanding of what man is and where he came from. For example, Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Also Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” If we decide to always stick to our worldly traditional definition of what a person is, will we ever be able to distinguish between “perfect” simulation and real human? Of course not. We will end up in situations like in the film, where one is unsettled by the perfect looking robot, yet forced to treat it as if it were a real human being. It is my personal belief that the uncanny valley is the result of a deep conviction within us caused by trying to play God, in other words, a feeling that we have done something we should not have. However, being grounded in biblical truth would allow one to have unwavering certainty about the fact that a “perfect” (in our human eyes) simulation is not the same a real human being.

            Another important question we must ask ourselves is “How would the replicating of lost loved ones affect our lives?” I’ll be honest. If I did not know what I know now from God’s Word, I would definitely consider signing up for the same program Martha did. I’m sure we all would at least think about it, and some people would actually do it. By definition, we greatly miss our loved ones when they die. But there is a reason we die and several reasons why trying to make people last forever would cause many problems. It is evident that Martha distanced herself from her sister more and more as she went through the program. She slowly but surely began to go insane. There is also the fact that she was taken advantage of by an awful company that basically used her emotions to gain money. I wonder what kind of values those people have. Imagine a world where anyone you know and love, provided the money, could be “recreated” after they die, so that you can be with them until you die. We must ask ourselves, how would that affect the way we treat people while they are still alive? What would happen to our urgency to love and cherish them if we can be guaranteed that we’ll have them forever? I think the answer is obvious. Galatians 6:7,8 “DO NOT BE DECIEVED: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows from the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

            I want to conclude by saying that I am well aware the world is heading in the direction we saw in “Be Right Back.” Maybe someday a confused loved one of mine will purchase a replica of me. However, that is more the reason I should strive to live in such a way that even an android version of me, having collected all the information I put into the digital realm in order to imitate me, would destroy itself knowing that is what Victor Smith would want. Instead of worrying about the scary, android-infested future, why don’t we worry about not wasting any time in this life to love each other and encourage each other to move on? That includes not being buried in a screen, which was the real Ash’s mistake. You are an original creation capable of living ONE beautiful life. Let’s not forget that.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” – 1 John 4:7