In today\u2019s world, you can hold \u201cface-to-face\u201d meetings online. You can ask your phone to send someone a text message. You can ask your car for directions. Technology has become an avenue by which you can accomplish almost anything. Countless innovative technological feats have been featured in popular culture throughout the years. From residential space stations to biometric classification, many of such technologies seem unimaginable within the span of our lives. But the real question: are these movies and stories an exaggeration of our reliance on technology, or could they be foreshadowing the technological future that lies ahead for us?<\/p>\n
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In \u201cHer,\u201d a recently released science fiction romance drama film, technology has developed to a point where operating systems are designed to fulfill individuals\u2019 specific needs. They converse, learn and feel like real people, described in an on-screen ad as a \u201cconsciousness.\u201d The movie depicts several relationships between the people of its fictional society and their respective operating systems.<\/p>\n
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Charles, though a rather minor character in the movie, is the ex-husband of Amy and original owner of an operating system. When he and his wife Amy divorce, he leaves behind their life together and his operating system. Amy, ex-wife of Charles and longtime friend of the main character, discovers the complexity of the new operating system when her ex-husband leaves it behind in the divorce. Amy embraces her relationship with her operating system, creating a happy and healthy friendship. By the end of the movie, she regards her operating system as a close friend. Theodore, the main character of the movie, is a lonely, introverted writer that ultimately falls in love with his operating system, Samantha. As the movie progress, the two become closer, ultimately even attempting to consummate the relationship through a surrogate body. His every day life becomes dependent on her and their relationship.<\/p>\n
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These varying relationships can be interpreted as predictions of the result of our growing technological dependences. Charles represents the in-control, technology consumer. He is the user that technology was originally meant for: the one who turns to it for convenience and utility, but is neither reliant nor overly attached. He treated his operating system as such, and was even willing to leave it behind. Amy represents the more invested user. Though she has some sense of boundaries, she heavily involves herself in her technology and uses it consistently. She illustrates the modern day consumer, the type of consumer we are starting to see more and more in our own society: attached, emotional, and willing to invest more of her life into it than is normal. She goes beyond the intended purpose of technological advancement and involves such innovations in her day-to-day routine. Lastly, Theodore represents the most extreme consumer. In his usage, he ignores all customary limitations and social norms. He not only is overly involved in his technology, he is consumed by it. Every day his thoughts, emotions, and routines are largely dependent upon his operating system. He reaches a point where technology becomes questionably the most integral part of his life.<\/p>\n
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Is Theodore merely a criticism of the slippery slope we have descended upon through our use of technology? Or is he a reminder of a concerning yet very possible future consumer? If I can leave my phone home on vacation can I be guaranteed to be Charles? If I rely on Siri every day will I become Theodore? Does our current attitude toward technology predict our future reliance? Can the lifestyles we lead now influence what they could be 20 years from now? The movie, though meant to be a fantastical love story, exposes this growing societal issue of our reliance on technology usage.<\/p>\n
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As we have become more and more innovative, we\u2019ve also pushed the limitations and inclusion of technology in our lives. It is possible that one day we will develop operating systems advanced enough to mimic the human consciousness. It is possible that one day we will develop technologies advanced enough to customize themselves to your own needs. It is possible that we will one day develop such things that go beyond what we ever imagined possible. But is it possible that we will befriend such technologies? Regard them as our closest confidants? Will it ever be possible that we could really truly fall in love with them? Though technology presents us with opportunities that accelerate our lives in unprecedented ways, the attraction to such convenience and versatility can be a dangerous trap. Ultimately, it is up to us to determine the role technology plays, to determine if technology belongs to us or we belong to it.<\/p>\n
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In today\u2019s world, you can hold \u201cface-to-face\u201d meetings online. You can ask your phone to send someone a text message. You can ask your car for directions. Technology has become an avenue by which you can accomplish almost anything. Countless … Continue reading