From time to time, I like to offer up movie reviews. However, this is not one of those times. I merely wish to enter into a deep philosophical discussion that came about from watching the movie “Surrogates”. In case anyone out there is not familiar with the film here is a very brief plot synopsis. In the future several breakthroughs with robot and virtual-reality technology will allow all human beings to put their consciousness into a robot body and send their surrogates out into the world while their bodies stay safe and sound at home. Naturally, almost everyone chooses a robot body that is much more beautiful than their physical one (in one interesting example a fat, balding 40-something man uses a slender, attractive, blond 20-something woman as his surrogate). The indication, in the movie, is that no one ever leaves the “safety” of their own home anymore without using a robot body (except for the “radicals” who absolutely refuse to ever use a surrogate, but that’s a different subplot which doesn’t directly affect my point here).
So everyone is running around in their beautiful robot bodies. This got me to thinking about where our society is headed seeing as this sort of thing is already happening online. Ordinary looking people are using beautiful avatars when they interact with other people on sites like “Second-Life”. And you can bet that half of the hot, elven maidens in “World of Warcraft” are actually ugly men in the real world.
After pondering this idea for a little while, something vastly more alarming suddenly occurred to me. When I realized this it really shook me to the core of my being. In the future that this movie shows: THERE WOULD BE NO MORE RESTAURANTS. My gods, think about it. No one goes out without their robot-body – robots don’t eat – there would be no need for restaurants. Now, maybe it’s possible that these surrogates are sophisticated enough to have some human senses. Obviously they can see and hear and they appear to have a sense of touch. You would think that smell would be a good idea; someone needs to be able to detect gas leaks after all. So taste might not be a great stretch. But because the robot couldn’t eat food, it would have to be some sort of a chemical lubricant that is designed to taste like sous-vide beaver cheeks or else just a couple of lines of downloaded code so that the user-interface simulates the taste of prairie oysters.
On the other hand, though, fast-food chains that were strictly delivery would be doing huge volumes of business.
Sounds like a ‘must see’ film. The future that you describe doesn’t sound very appealing though. Missing out on visiting restaurants would be just one negative aspect. Another being that people wouldn’t meet one another if they stayed at home all the time. But, as you say, for many people, myself included, this is already close to reality. I’m a fat, bald, middle aged man and my Second Life avatar is a fit, young woman –
Oh wow that’s pretty interesting. Reminds me of the Matrix. But then to me it is almost like what’s the difference between that and Second Life and Wow? It just sounds like the game gotten more advance. What about human and robot interaction? Wouldn’t that be interesting?
Easy fix…just relocate your brick and motar store to a small commercial kitchen space and become an all-delivery “restaurant”. Sounds quite profitable if this were really the future.
But you see they could be vampires not eating. How would we be able to tell?
this seems to be wonderful and like a ‘must see’ film.As you say, for many people, myself included, this is already close to reality.
Don’t even get me started on Second Life! I find it mildly disturbing that people create a beautiful version of themselves to make friends online, when they can’t really interact in real life. I saw an MTV special about it where this girl was dreaming of being a musician, but she could only perform on Second Life.
Just finished watching this film and its really worth the time, Although compare to previous Bruce Willis film this one looks pale when it comes to action and explosions a typical Willis film should have.
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I’ve never heard of this movie but the premise has kicked up all kinds of questions. Is it like that person’s mind is in the robot so they can see and hear what’s going on in the world while they’re at home?
Can the robots, uh, interact with other robots? If they can, is it considered an affair if the mind of the person hooks up with the mind of another person, via robot, that’s not his or her significant other?
Maybe I need to rent the movie.
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Yep, this film sounds fun! Will have to have a gander on IMDB to find out more.:D
This is looking like a must watch film and that’s pretty interesting.It reminds me of matrix and sounds profitable if this were really the future.
I could use a surrogate to go to the DMV for me.
well i didn’t watch the movie so far but after reading your post i think it would be a great movie to see. thanks for sharing its review.
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