After watching the film "Be Right Back", I was left with a feeling of uneasiness and wonder of how the world we live in now would evolve over time. The film certainly provided a unique sense of imagery and ideas that amazed me and really impacted the way that I view the future now. As we watch the film, we see that Martha and Ash have a strong and special relationship with one another. Ash's corny jokes and odd actions kept a smile on Martha's face while they were together. They are meant for each other. But we also see how technology took advantage of Ash's time with Martha. Ash separates himself from Martha to create a post on social media. In fact, the internet database analysis of all of Ash's social media accounts was actually able to develop an "alternate robotic Ash" that knew the things he most frequently said and thought while online. Sadly, I must say that we are very similar to Ash in my opinion. We allow technology to take time away from the time we are supposed to have with our loved ones. We find ourselves posting our everyday routines and actions for the world to see with the least regard for our privacy. With technology consistently advancing and improving, it becomes more and more difficult to break the stronghold that technology has on people. I like how the film displays the power of this technological stronghold through Martha's actions once she learns that she can interact with the "alternate robotic Ash". She even goes the extra mile and purchases a very expensive robot replica of Ash to allow into her home. Once she began interacting with the alternate robotic Ash, she notices that the machine is unique but humanity is far more unique that any programming. The robotic Ash often asked her for clarity on things Ash would say and do to attempt to make itself even more authentic. Martha seemed to actually enjoy this robotic Ash for quite a while ironically. She soon comes to her senses and realizes that her actions may have gotten the best of her. She moves the robotic Ash to the attic, in a similar way that Ash's mom moved pictures of deceased loved ones in that same attic. The film provided an excellent depth of what we could possibly expect in the future.
The following link provides support to many of my opinions for our society! https://youtu.be/hQW2tvB9eRw
3 comments:
Calvin, I agree with most of your observations. However, there were a couple of things that caused me to question some things. Do you think the fact that Robotic Ash had to continuously question the things that otherwise the Real Ash would have known creates a human quality within the Robotic Ash or does this solidifies the fact the he is indeed a robot? Also, I found your correlation between Martha placing Robotic Ash in the attic and Ash's mom storing old pictures of her deceased son to be interesting. I did not realize this correlation. Ultimately, this is basically comparing a robot to pictures and memorabilia. Do you think this is ethical to do? In a way it was already seen as unethical to store the memories of your loved ones in picture form, which is seen through the negative/ sad relation of the story from real Ash to Martha. Does this make it more unethical? Where would barrier of morality be, if there even is one?
Cenetria, the continuous questions by robotic Ash may have allowed him to show human qualities, BUT I saw this action as being a robotic developmental characteristic created by whoever created the robotic Ash. For example, "Siri" in the iPhone software has the ability to talk and respond to us. Siri possesses a well-processed database that can browse the web for responses and information. Does this make Siri human? No, because Siri's responses are already programmed within the Apple database to respond to us. And also, Siri responses are only limited to the software development. There are many questions you could ask that Siri may not have the answer to. And when I compared the robotic Ash to the pictures and memorabilia, I was only making a surface correlation that I thought the film wanted the audience to take note of. Everything that was put into the attic appeared to be "put away from the mind" so that Martha and Ash's mother would not dwell in sadness. Are my responses clear?
Yes, you were clear. Thanks for responding! You make a valid point by comparing Robotic Ash with Siri.
Post a Comment