The Bicentennial Man Analysis

“Science fiction is the literature of the human species encountering change, whether it arrives via scientific discoveries, technological innovations, natural events, or societal shifts” (Chris McKitterick, 2015). We live in a world that is technology dependent, a world where technology and machine are both necessary. Yet we are not aware of the impacts technology and machines have on human beings. Technology and machine will change the meaning of human identity, and we need to consider the repercussions. This essay will analyse two texts and one film: “The Bicentennial Man”,” That Thou Art Mindful of Him” and Black Mirror: The entire history of you, which question the distinction between human identity and machine/technology, and deconstructs

According to my understanding, including machines and machine elements in our definition of humans limits human capabilities and leads to humans being vulnerable. For example human become dependent on machines and neglate to use their minds which makes us lazy. Further more humans become vulnerable because the machine elements can be used to exploit others. In the Black Mirror, Liam replays his memories of his meeting, and of his wife 's behavior at the dinner party (Armstrong, J. (writer) and Welsh, B. (dir.) Black Mirror: The Entire History of you, 2011). This exposes Liam 's vulnerabilities and insecurities. He becomes paranoid and the "grain" feeds his paranoia. This shows us how dependent he is on the grain and how his future is based on his past. Whereas if he was grain free he would be living a standard life with ease of mind. This technology prevents him from forgetting unpleasant events that have occurred, which is a fundamental aspect to human being i.e. it is part of the human healing process. In addition, such machine elements expose one’s identity and privacy. If one’s grain is stolen, your entire life worth of memories would be gone. As a result one is vulnerable because someone could use your personal details and gain access to confidential

"Anthropocentrism regards humans as separate from and superior to nature and holds that human life has intrinsic value while other entities (including animals, plants, mineral resources, and so on) are resources that may justifiably be exploited for the benefit of humankind".(Sarah E. Boslaugh, 2016). In Asimov 's short story, “That Thou Art Mindful of Him” shows the reader how the two Georges plan to remove human from their position of supremacy. (Asimov, 1995,” That Thou Mindful of Him”). Therefore one can conclude that the texts degrade the claims of the values of anthropocentrism. It also allows us to reconsider our views towards anthropocentrism and human identity. The text show us that it is possible for humans loss their position of