Themes (326)
Find narratives by ethical themes or by technologies.
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- 17 min
- Kinolab
- 2018
Wade Watts lives in an imagined future in which the OASIS, a limitless virtual reality world, acts as a constant distraction from the real world for the majority of citizens. Anything constructed in the virtual world, from possessions to relationships, is valued and taken as real by users. When a large corporation headed by Nolan Sorrento attempts to gain sole ownership of the virtual reality network, Wade’s avatar Parzival inspires a revolution among the citizens in the digital world, ultimately winning for himself and his friends the ownership of, and the power to regulate, the OASIS.
- Kinolab
- 2018
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- 17 min
- Kinolab
- 2018
Digital Escapism and Online Connections
Wade Watts lives in an imagined future in which the OASIS, a limitless virtual reality world, acts as a constant distraction from the real world for the majority of citizens. Anything constructed in the virtual world, from possessions to relationships, is valued and taken as real by users. When a large corporation headed by Nolan Sorrento attempts to gain sole ownership of the virtual reality network, Wade’s avatar Parzival inspires a revolution among the citizens in the digital world, ultimately winning for himself and his friends the ownership of, and the power to regulate, the OASIS.
What are the pros and cons of developing exciting, immersive communities in virtual reality platforms? Do social networks change the nature of human interaction for better, for worse, or both at once? Can any one social network outpace reality as a means of connection? What is the risk of one corporate entity having centralized control over large social digital spaces? What is “the real world” if VR is convincing enough? Should the digital be heavily regulated if it serves as a legitimate coping mechanism for some?
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- 14 min
- Kinolab
- 2014
Caleb, a programmer in a large company, is invited by his boss Nathan to test a robot named Ava. During one session of the Turing Test, Ava fearfully interrogates Caleb on what her fate will be if she is deemed not capable or human enough by the results of the test. Caleb struggles to deliver the honest answer, especially given that Ava displays attachment toward him, a sentiment which he returns. After Caleb discovers that Nathan wants to essentially kill Ava, he loops her in to his escape plan, offering her freedom and a chance to live a human life. Once Nathan is killed, Ava goes to his robotics repository and bestows a new physical, humanlike appearance upon herself. She then permanently traps Caleb, the only remaining person who knows she is an android, in Nathan’s compound before escaping to live a human life in the real world.
- Kinolab
- 2014
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- 14 min
- Kinolab
- 2014
Liberty, Autonomy, and Desires of Humanoid Robots
Caleb, a programmer in a large company, is invited by his boss Nathan to test a robot named Ava. During one session of the Turing Test, Ava fearfully interrogates Caleb on what her fate will be if she is deemed not capable or human enough by the results of the test. Caleb struggles to deliver the honest answer, especially given that Ava displays attachment toward him, a sentiment which he returns. After Caleb discovers that Nathan wants to essentially kill Ava, he loops her in to his escape plan, offering her freedom and a chance to live a human life. Once Nathan is killed, Ava goes to his robotics repository and bestows a new physical, humanlike appearance upon herself. She then permanently traps Caleb, the only remaining person who knows she is an android, in Nathan’s compound before escaping to live a human life in the real world.
What rights to freedom do AI have? Do sentient AI beings deserve to be at the mercy of their creators? What are the consequences of machines being able to detect and expose lies? Is emotional attachment to AI a valid form of love? What threat could well-disguised, hyper-intelligent AI pose for humanity? If no one knows or can tell the difference, does that matter?
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- 2 min
- Kinolab
- 2014
Nathan, the creator of the advanced humanoid robot Ava, explains to his employee Caleb that big data collected through smartphone cameras and microphones aided his attempts to make Ava’s features more human.
- Kinolab
- 2014
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- 2 min
- Kinolab
- 2014
Big Data and its Reflection of Humanity
Nathan, the creator of the advanced humanoid robot Ava, explains to his employee Caleb that big data collected through smartphone cameras and microphones aided his attempts to make Ava’s features more human.
How can our digital consumer and search data be mined by tech companies for research? Does such a wide data net capture everything necessary about humanity? How does Google search mirror the human seeking of knowledge in digital form?
Ex Machina: Ava's Brain-
- 2 min
- Kinolab
- 1982
Tron, a security program within the digital world, is thought dead and mourned by fellow programs Yori and Dumont.
- Kinolab
- 1982
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- 2 min
- Kinolab
- 1982
Bonding, Creation, and Religion among the Digital
Tron, a security program within the digital world, is thought dead and mourned by fellow programs Yori and Dumont.
Can programmed AI develop emotions and attachment to its maker? Could this be considered a sort of religious freedom for artificial intelligence? If so, is it ethical to use super-intelligent AI without considering its rights?
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- 13 min
- Kinolab
- 2011
In this episode, Bing Madsen is one of many citizens who provide power to the digital world through spending each day on a stationery bike, which earns him “merits” to spend on both leisure activities and necessities. These laborers, along with all other classes, are constantly surrounded by screens in which their digital avatars can participate in virtual activities like biking on a road or being in a “live” studio audience. The reality competition show “Hot Shot” is one program streamed on these screens. In this narrative, Bing conspires to grab the attention of the world on stage, proclaiming that the whole digital world is fake and has brainwashed the laborers into providing power while upper classes get more leisure and enjoyment. This eventually lands him with his own talk show, where he recreates his suicide threats for sensational content in exchange for a more lucrative lifestyle.
- Kinolab
- 2011
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- 13 min
- Kinolab
- 2011
Technological Immersion, Digital Underclasses, and Attention Economies
In this episode, Bing Madsen is one of many citizens who provide power to the digital world through spending each day on a stationery bike, which earns him “merits” to spend on both leisure activities and necessities. These laborers, along with all other classes, are constantly surrounded by screens in which their digital avatars can participate in virtual activities like biking on a road or being in a “live” studio audience. The reality competition show “Hot Shot” is one program streamed on these screens. In this narrative, Bing conspires to grab the attention of the world on stage, proclaiming that the whole digital world is fake and has brainwashed the laborers into providing power while upper classes get more leisure and enjoyment. This eventually lands him with his own talk show, where he recreates his suicide threats for sensational content in exchange for a more lucrative lifestyle.
How can technology be used/how is technology used to pacify the masses? What connection can you make to the society depicted here and the way that social media and other digital companies use data to make profits? How can digital technologies become a breeding ground for sensational content, and can this problem be fixed? Can anyone be “unplugged” and successful in our reality? How do internet communities commodify authenticity?
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- 12 min
- Kinolab
- 2011
In the 2050s, humans are able to connect their brains to an implanted digital device known as a “grain,” which stores all of their individual audiovisual memories and allows for instant replays or closer analysis of any stored memories. Liam Foxwell, one such user, discusses these devices with some friends at dinner, and later uses the data collected at this party to scrutinize his wife’s interactions with Jonas, a crude man who uses the grain for contemptible purposes. With these memories, he confronts his wife and demands objective truth from her.
- Kinolab
- 2011
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- 12 min
- Kinolab
- 2011
Digital Memory, Stored Interactions, and the Inability to Forget
In the 2050s, humans are able to connect their brains to an implanted digital device known as a “grain,” which stores all of their individual audiovisual memories and allows for instant replays or closer analysis of any stored memories. Liam Foxwell, one such user, discusses these devices with some friends at dinner, and later uses the data collected at this party to scrutinize his wife’s interactions with Jonas, a crude man who uses the grain for contemptible purposes. With these memories, he confronts his wife and demands objective truth from her.
What are the consequences of combining the fallibility of human memory with the precision of digital technology? How does over-analysis of digitally stored memories or interactions lead to anxiety or conflict in the real world? What are the dangers of placing our personal memories into a context where they can be stolen or hacked or sold? In the digital age, is anyone truly able to forget anything? How is human judgement and agency impacted by digital memory?