THE UNCANNY VALLEY + Ex Machina (2014) [02-12-20]
The Uncanny Valley describes the relationship between a robot’s likeness to humans and our response to the robot (see image below). It is a theoretical relationship explored in aesthetics and robotics (you can check out more of the history here: https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/humanoids/what-is-the-uncanny-valley). It postulates that as a robot becomes more human-like, our attraction and fascination increases. That is, until the robot becomes so close to appearing human that we quite suddenly are made uneasy and uncomfortable by it.
The Uncanny Valley as an idea was explored in the 2014 film Ex Machina (directed by Alex Garland). (SPOILERS) In Ex Machina, a program developer named Caleb is invited to spend a week at the house of a big-time CEO who has recently created an advanced robot named Ava. Ava is very human-like and manipulative, using her persuasive abilities and Caleb’s human weakness to her advantage. In the end, Ava is able to trick Caleb and escape into the real world. The movie ends leaving her intentions and her future unknown to the audience.
I am personally fascinated with the Uncanny Valley theory. I believe that I am most drawn to SF stories that play with the boundaries of the Uncanny Valley, not only with robots but with imaginary worlds as a whole. I tend to be fond of stories that portray a world/reality that is indistinguishable from our own with the exception of one far-fetched detail. These types of stories allow me to reconsider what I know and what is possible (as opposed to stories that play with many variables and seem too unreal for me to imagine as a possibility in my lifetime).
[https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/humanoids/what-is-the-uncanny-valley]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tQxjfTRB9I]