Robotic humans or humane robots?

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.

Can death be fought?

I used to have a guitar teacher two years back. He discontinued teaching me as he had to move to London. He is doing a PHD on Robotics out there.Yesterday, he told me how he got interested into Robotics. I was quite taken aback to know what made him delve into Robotics. It was death!!!

As a child, when his grandparents or someone in the family died, he hated the feeling. (Most of us do hate it when death claims our loved ones). He wanted to have human beings forever beside him. And that gave his young mind an idea- he wondered can't there be an artificial heart, an artificial mind in the human body that would make them live longer or forever? Human body is perishable, but machines in their body would last longer,much longer. This thought led onto the interest in Robots - a body made of all artificial components. That was the connection between Robotics and death in his life.

That was an innocent child’s mind trying to find ways to fight death- but is fighting death possible? No. Death cannot be fought with even the most powerful Technology. But,the good news is that death is not the end. Loved ones whom we lose are somewhere experiencing life after death. What? Where? and how are they? Thats the mystery.

Music – the vibrations

My Physics teacher taught that any sound is a result of a series of vibration. I always have these feeling that music is a magical vibration that possesses the power to move the heart and create vibrations in the soul.

Music also has the power to make people reach a state of trance, for example the Sufi singers seems to be in a perpetual trance. But yes only good music does that. Not the non sense that few call music nowadays. I am SORRY, if I hurt few musicians! I am ready to change my mind if I am explained the meaning of songs like ” Who let the dogs out?”. Anyway.

During the 16^th Century, intellects even believed that the motions of the planets create a particular music which is unheard by the human ear.

"The heavenly motions... are nothing but a continuous song for several voices, perceived not by the ear but by the intellect,
a figured music which sets landmarks
in the immeasurable flow of time."
Johaanes Kepler, a 16^th century scholar

Vibrations not only produce music, but they also signify Life. Something vibrating is something moving, something moving is something alive, and something alive is Life, itself.

Where do I begin? Where do I end?

I have already introduced myself and my blog now. And I was wondering where do I begin? What do I begin with? Life, death or across?!!? People tend to relate “life” with things that are practical, with “death” they relate pessimism and with “across” it's spirituality. I wonder what's my mood now?What do I blog on?

Well as Life comes first and then the rest. I choose Life. It is the beginning of death and across.

What is Life? So many songs and so many poems have been written on what’s life all about? I am sure you have heard, at least, one such song. These songs often sound somewhat like this -
Life is a song, Life is a challenge, and Life is a quest and so on.

I think, Life can be compared to a classroom where we all learn stuff, sometimes unlearn what we learnt before and then learn things anew, believe in new things. With all its trials and uncertainties, Life does provide loads of stuff that makes us taste heaven (if u believe in it at all). No matter how much we abuse life and slang Life, how much pain it is to live – we all want to live. No one wants death.

The Solitary Blogger and the Blog

To begin with, let me explain the significance of the name of my blog- Life, death and across (Sorry – Life, death and beyond was taken). As the name explains itself, I will be writing about the uncertainty of life, the certainty of death and about my speculations on life beyond death. At times, when I feel courageous, I might also discuss life before birth. Am I confusing you? Don’t be. If you are not comfortable with death and beyond, lets talk of Life.

I am sure you will be able to identify with my thoughts regarding Life- the absurdity of people, of relations, of technology, knowledge. Life also includes the pleasures of this world –music, books, literature, movies, and love (the ideal one that’s always in your dreams and the real one in your arms). Let’s see what else strikes me as I make the journey. In short, my blog is going to be my monologues recorded. All suggestions and comments are welcome.

Genesis- the beginning of my writing

Like most writers, I don’t write since I was a little child or since I was one day old (sorry for the exaggeration). I thank my loneliness for making me write. Yes! My loneliness compelled me to pen down my thoughts, my views, and translate my tears and smiles into words. Thanks Solitude! Thanks a tonne. All the times, when I had no one to talk to, no one with just a patient ear, no friend to share a joke, I found a friend in my diary and pen. Writing, I swear, is therapeutic- at least for me. Today, I write not for therapy alone but to live. I mean, I earn my bread through writing – I am a content writer by profession and a creative writer by passion.

Technology came a long way, and the simple diary I used to have is replaced by Microsoft word and lately my blog. That’s how I turned a writer turned blogger.