The primary way that I have experienced robots in an art
form is seeing them as a contrast to humans. It seems inevitable that whenever
robots appear in popular culture the story immediately centers on the contrast
between them and their human compatriots. It’s a similar plot point in many
stories, a character different from the others of the show who must be
explained ‘truths’ so the audience may analyze them.
Star Trek is one of the best places to see this
transposition of robots and reality (as one of the more forward looking shows
out there, e.g. the first televised interracial kiss). All of its iterations deal
with robot characters, and their transition into being human. Almost constantly
they ask what does being human mean, and often it is exploring emotion. According
to the Oxford American Dictionary, art is “The expression or application of
human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as
painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their
beauty or emotional power.” Robots, because of their lack of emotion are excellent
at causing us to express them.
Data’s search for emotion is one of the more interesting in
the ‘verse, as it asked when emotion is appropriate.
“It is fortunate that I am
able to perform my duties without emotional distractions. If that were not the
case, a sudden course correction toward the Neutral Zone [DMZ] would make me
very... nervous.” (Star Trek: TNG 4.14).
The prime reason robots are valued is their ability to be efficient and do repetitive tasks, yet becoming closer to humanity makes them less so.
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| Lt. Commander Data, Robot, Performing his duties without question |
The prime reason robots are valued is their ability to be efficient and do repetitive tasks, yet becoming closer to humanity makes them less so.
Logic is another manner that robots seem to excel at, and
humans fail at. The lesson over and over again in art however is that illogic
is necessary to be human, that if the world was completely logical it would be unable
to function in a human world, as said in a very early episode of star trek,
circa 1967.
“You say you are lying, but if everything you say is a lie, then you
are telling the truth, but you cannot tell the truth because everything you say
is a lie, but you lie... You tell the truth but you cannot for you lie...
illogical! Illogical! Please explain! You are human. Only humans can explain
their behavior! Please explain!”(Star Trek, 2-37)
Perhaps this is an outgrowth of the two cultures, that one side of the divide seeks logic and order, while the other seeks emotion. In robots, there is the potential for them to meet.
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| Kirk and Mudd, confusing robot Norman to destruction |
Perhaps this is an outgrowth of the two cultures, that one side of the divide seeks logic and order, while the other seeks emotion. In robots, there is the potential for them to meet.
Innovation is another entirely human characteristic, and yet
one that robot makes and robots seem to want to attain. In a world where
automation is not a possibility, but an actuality it is the imaginative jobs
that are still needed for humans to take, and yet most visions of the future of
robots give them the power of innovation.
“But they're an important part of
one's life. Because imagination frees the mind. It inspires ideas and solutions
and... it can provide a great deal of pleasure. Human progress - the human mind
itself couldn't exist without them.” (Star Trek VOG, 4.6)
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| Janeway discussing art with Seven of Nine, human girl raised by cyborgs |
Robots additionally provide an ideal lightning rod for
humans desire to create. It is more than wanting to build a better wrench, but
to shape another being. Robotics provides the best avenue, currently, for
humanity to create a new form of life, more so than even the biological
sciences.
“You have exceeded the sum of your program. You've accomplished far more than I could have ever predicted.” (Star Trek VOG: 6.24).
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| Dr. Zimmerman, with his holographic creation "The Doctor" in his image |
“You have exceeded the sum of your program. You've accomplished far more than I could have ever predicted.” (Star Trek VOG: 6.24).
Star Trek
Voyager, Episode 24, Season 6, “Life Line”, Air Date May 5th, 2000
Star Trek
Voyager, Episode 6, Season 4, “The Raven”, Air Date October 8th,
1997
Star Trek The
Next Generation, Episode 14, Season 4, “Clues” Air Date Febuary 11, 1991
Star Trek,
Episode 37, Season 2, “I, Mudd” November 3rd, 1967
"Art
1." Oxford Dictionary (American English). Oxford Dictionary, n.d. Web. 20
Apr. 2015.
<http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/art>.
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