Honestly, the term science itself had already been overwhelming to me. It is often spoken in different language, many technical words and unfamiliar names of materials, so I had easily gone for against science without sparing any thought. Yet, after watching a few clips about technology in class, I became to feel that robots would be good friends for humans.
The first clip shown was "Stop Dave, I'm Afraid." It is excerpt from the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" in 1968. As the title of the clip suggests, an artificial intelligence of a space ship named HAL is capable of expressing its fear when the space pilot, Dave, is trying to disconnect memory core of the computer after HAL's murder of his colleagues. Throughout the clip, HAL speaks as though it has genuine emotion just like humans. It uses the words like, "I think" and "I feel. " It even feels "great enthusiasm and confidence." Finally, HAL confesses his fear to become impaired; "Stop Dave, I'm afraid." With the sounds of HAL's breath and its constant monotone voice, the clip well presents the horror of when computers become self-aware. The idea that nonliving entities have mind to care about its own existences is unexplainably frightening. We feel it's ethically wrong and even contradict to the evolution theory. Robots are not living; therefore, they won't die.If they cared about their existences, they would become part of the hierarchy of lives. As a result, they would become our enemies and threaten our lives. Even at unconscious level, we automatically construct this equation. The anticipation of the future of AI shown in this clip frightens the audiences, or at least me.
Another clip, "Touch Bionics i-LIMB Hand: Ray Edwards," presents an optimistic view of the future of robots. Ray Edwards, a quadruple amputee from a cancer, is wearing bionics limbs. He shows and explains how this technology enables him to restore his normal life to a great degree that he had never imagine. In the clip, he holds and opens his hand and says how this means to him. His sparkling and hopeful eyes speak a lot. Arms and legs are so essential for us to live and enjoy life, so we could almost never imagine not to have them. Although people are still able to live without these parts of the body, the qualities of their lives would tremendously decrease without them. If technology can become replacements for their loss, it will be far beyond amazing.. In the article "Bionic hand wins top tech prize," Edwards recalls when he first wore the bionic hand: "When the arm was put on, I had tears rolling down my face." His simple remark explains enough to cheer the advancement technology. The clip makes us think that technology is appreciative. It now can become part of the human body. According to him, "Psychologically, it has been the greatest thing." Technology can become our good friend to save not only physical, but mental lives.
After seeing two opposite visions of the future of technology, I developed my appreciation for technology. When I watched robot's speech in 1939 and Japanese robot's running like humans, I didn't see importance of these achievements. Yet when I watch the man was smiling with his bionic hand in other clip, I realized that the attempts to make robots close to humans would be beneficial. Robots can become part of our lacking or missing parts, and this huge benefit outweighs any negativities of robots.
I think that people today widely accept robots. This is because, as Ray Edwards shows, we have seen great benefits of technology, and also, it is almost impossible to deny robots in this technological world. ATM machines and automated voice response system make life mush smoother. Sometimes they are even more accurate and efficient than real humans, and these experiences enhance our confidence in technology. It is not scientists' effort to make robots look less threaten, but it is our incremental experience to interact with technology that makes us feel comfortable with robots.
Now, which one is a robot?
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