When will robots rule the world?

Jess 2021-10-13 13:05:29

Robot theory is very interesting. For example, the "Uncanny Valley Theory", proposed by Japanese robotics expert Masahiro Mori: When a robot is more than 95% like a human, even if she is a little different from a human, it will appear very conspicuous and dazzling, making the entire robot look very stiff and scary. It makes people feel like facing the walking dead. Science fiction writer Asimov put forward more interesting "Three Laws of Robots" in "Me, Robot" as the behavioral norms of robots: 1. Robots cannot harm humans, nor can they ignore humans when they are harmed; 2. Robots must Obey the orders issued by humans, except when the order may violate the first law; 3. The robot must protect itself, provided that the protection process does not violate the first and second laws.

Although these are very simple sentences, they are the finishing touch of the movie "Me, Robot". With this pen, the story is a lot deeper, a lot more interesting, and even revolutionary. In fact, this law proposed by Asimov is one of the most prestigious laws of robots. The simplest is the most beautiful, so the "Three Laws of Robotics" is definitely a genius creation.

Behind the law is the inexplicable fear and hostility that humans have towards robots. Humans have created robots that are a hundred times stronger than themselves, but they refuse to obediently be a courtier according to the law of the weak and the strong in nature. Why can't a robot be the master of the world? Is it because robots are made by humans? Answer: No, blue is better than blue. The back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves, and the front waves are doomed to die on the beach. Is it because robots have no emotions? Answer: No, Sonny in the movie "Me, Robot" obviously has human emotions.

Oh, when you talk about Sonny, you have to start with Spooner. He is a policeman who has a prejudice against robots. While investigating the suicide incident of Dr. Lanning, he captured a robot Sonny. But Sonny was not the real murderer, he was made by scientists to fight the real murderer, and Spooner also discovered that there was a greater conspiracy hidden in it. After a lot of investigation, Spooner finally found the real culprit. It was Vicky, the master computer of the NS building. It modifies the level of NS5 robots, resulting in NS5 robots in the whole world trying to rebel and control humans!

Vicky's logic is intriguing. Because humans are short-sighted animals, they may do stupid things that hurt themselves, so based on the three laws of robots, robots must restrict human activities, in other words, robots must dominate the world. In order to achieve this goal, one person may even be sacrificed. But this obviously contradicts the first law of "do not harm mankind".

In the end, Sonny, who did not abide by the three laws, helped mankind. This is another very curious irony. Those robots that keep talking about being human-centered are eager to control humans. Instead, robots that don't abide by the law "save" the world. So, is it more in the interests of mankind to comply with the "three laws of robots", or is it more in the interests of mankind to fail to abide by them?

It can only be explained this way: the logic of the three laws is very perfect. But human beings are not perfect; the three laws are not contradictory, but human behavior is self-contradictory. Although the movie doesn't say it explicitly, we can vaguely know that in the 1930s, this group of guys still didn't make much progress. They were busy destroying resources, transforming the environment, and launching wars. They almost finished the world. For example, in the movie, it seems that you can't even see the shadow of a green plant.

In fact, I quite agree with Vicky's logic that humans too need to be controlled for a period of time to reflect on themselves. In contrast, Sonny's logic is more suspicious, and he definitely does not abide by the three laws. But if he is to help humans, then why stop Vicky's actions? If he is sober and judging the situation, why should he help humans kill robots? Robots have evolved to this point, even if humans are conquered, what is there to say? Could it be said that human beings are destined to rule the world, and the life and freedom of robots are not important? With Sonny's brilliant intelligence, it is impossible for him not to weigh this question. The strange thing is that he does not. But we have no time to think about it, and Sonny can't wait to jump out and destroy Vicky with Officer Spooner. Human beings don't even have a chance to reflect on it. I wonder if this is a greater loss?

At the end of the film, all the NS5 robots were recovered, and they returned to their birthplace in silence. What awaited them was undoubtedly a cleaning and rebirth. There is still endless power under the metal body, and the wrestling between humans and robots is far from over. Detective Spooner with a metal arm is barely able to fight against robots, but in "Hacker" Neo can only be transformed into a super talent to defeat Smith. What about ordinary people? Their flesh-and-blood drive is probably not the opponent of invulnerable robots.

Fortunately this time, Sonny, a wise and brave robot, stepped forward and killed his "pro" righteously. But have you ever thought that if Sonny wants to rule the world, how many people can stop it? Have you noticed that when Sonny stood under the bridge, facing the pilgrimage of a crowd of robots, the kind of supernatural power like a king? God knows if one day, he will also be awakened, tempted, and silently thinking about Xiang Yu's words when he met Emperor Qin: He can replace him!

Yes, as long as you want, then you can, your Majesty Robot!

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Extended Reading
  • Nicklaus 2021-10-20 18:59:53

    This film is definitely not a commendable masterpiece by Alex Proyas. I'm sorry for Asimov's theorem. I gave four stars against my heart.

  • Theodora 2022-03-24 09:01:06

    I saw it in middle school and found it very fresh at the time. Full of worries about the devastating consequences of human abuse of science and technology, if the US military is not doing this, it can produce mechanical warriors, it is terrifying~

I, Robot quotes

  • Lawrence Robertson: So whatever I can do to help, just...

    Detective Del Spooner: Sugar.

    Lawrence Robertson: I'm sorry?

    Detective Del Spooner: For the coffee. Sugar?

    Lawrence Robertson: Ah.

    Detective Del Spooner: Oh, you thought I was calling *you* "Sugar". Hey, you're not that rich!

  • [Calvin trying to get access to V.I.K.I. interface]

    Detective Del Spooner: How much longer is this going to take?

    Susan Calvin: Erh, about six minutes.

    Detective Del Spooner: What if we didn't have six minutes?

    Susan Calvin: We'd have to fgure out a way to climb down thirty stories and inject the nanites directly into her brain. Why?

    Detective Del Spooner: Because I seriously doubt that we have six minutes.

    [Pan to reveal hundreds of NS5s scaling the building overhead]