The thought of fighting death by making Robots (and artificial organs) haunted me the last two days. I also got reminded of a brilliant movie I saw - “The Bicentennial Man”, where the protagonist was a Robot. Robin Williams played the character of the Robot named Andrew.
The story is about Andrew – an NDR-series robot with positronic brain. He is owned by the Martin family which treats him more than just a Robot – he is also a friend and a member of the Family. He displays human qualities like emotion, creativity and self-awareness.
He remains unaffected by time and age, humans around him don’t. Andrew, the Robot witnesses the death of two generations of the Martin Family – including his own Master’s. Eventually, he falls in love with his Master’s grandchild. Death claims her too one day, and she is also at her deathbed. Love makes Andrew allow his positronic brain to "decay". He petitions the World Congress to recognize him as human, which would allow him to be legally married to his love before death. This turns to be an international news. This event takes place on the two-hundredth anniversary of his creation, hence the title of the movie. Finally they die together hand –in- hand.
Its quite amazing how a Robot tried to be a human being all his life – 200 years of his “lifetime”. The reverse also seems to be true. Human beings do not try to be a robot, but they turn robotic without even realising. In Albert Camus words,
“Rising, streetcar, four hours in the office or the factory, meal, streetcar, four hours of work, meal, sleep, and Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday and Saturday according to the same rhythm.”
We often live a life robotic and mechanical enough, without knowing. With time, life loses its purpose and emotions die. Tears don’t come easily as we grow old. Adults have better things to do; they have a mechanical life to live.
4 comments:
i like your work! could we feature some of it on www.soulscode.com. we can't pay for articles but can link back to your blog...link love :)
Very poignant! I loved that movie, I saw it long ago, very touching. I found your blog on facebook and stopped by. Good luck with your quest for answers... remember, sometimes they're right there in your heart, just waiting to be unlocked by 'remembering'! God bless, have a wonderful day!
~Jenn
If you loved the movie, I would suggest read the book - it is even more touching.
If you have time, try reading the whole of "I, Robots" - its fascinating how a whole concept of robopsychology developed within fiction.
For me it opened up my thoughts about the definitions of 'life-forms' of the future.
@littleindian: Well, I do have the book "I Robots" back home waiting for me. Right now I have three books to finish before I can touch it.
Asimov is a great writer for sure. But what interests me is more the philosophy part of it than the technology behind the subject of Robots. It's amazing to see how as you put it "life-forms" evolve. This evolution is brought about no one but Man. Interesting!!!
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