There are several significant differences between robots and androids: while the former tend to be conceived only as mechanized (sometimes humanoid) constructs with specific functions and no capabilities for emotions, the later tend to be more advanced (thinking for instance about A.I.). We might think of androids as a new stage in technological evolution, constructs capable of going beyond our comprehension, of surpassing Turner’s test and maybe even capable of feeling emotions. While this may not be a scientific or academic distinction, I will use it to justify the following examples I want to talk about. There have been many variations on robots and androids within literature, cinema and animation as well as in the shift of perception towards these simulacra.
Obviously, it is impossible to talk about this topic without at least mentioning the father of robotics himself, Isaac Asimov. While he regarded robots more as technology rather than “otherness” (considering that what we intend today as futuristic A.I. was still a long way away), he did pose the central theme of the dangers of humanity. His three laws work more as a safeguard to protect humans from robots; at the time it was probably less conceived for the need to protect robots from humans.
With the advancements of technology also came fear for what it entailed and as a result a certain demonization of robots. While not necessarily androids, the revolution of robots has been a somewhat famed topic in Hollywood and movies in general. Think for instance of Terminator, the willingness of Borgs (yes, technically aliens, but with a strong robotic component) to absorb every other life form in the galaxy and the Machines in Matrix. While these robots are sentient, they lack empathy for humanity and hence are far from what we would think of when talking about androids.
The line becomes blurred however when we start considering a movie such as Blade Runner (or the novel on which it was based on Do androids dream of electric sheep?). Here the android becomes the ‘other’ and even determining if this ‘other’ is in fact an android or a real human being takes a central stage within the narrative. While with Blade Runner we have an escape from humans on behalf of the androids as well as an ontological dilemma, there is a certain humanization within Westworld, where we do have a revolution on behalf of the androids, but merely because of how they are mistreated. The right to live and the right to be considered if not equal to humans, at least capable of representation, becomes hence another central topic; a similar case could also be found in Ghost in the Shell.
From books to movies and finally to animation, a fascinating medium that is also meant to teach children moral lessons. Empathy for otherness, trying to understand other life forms, as well as the possibility that these robots could in fact be something more than a mere construct of bolts and metal pieces are all central in specific animated movies. If we think for instance of the Iron Giant or even a later Big Hero 6 and Wall-E then we can begin to understand how diverse the robots (or in some cases androids) are treated. More recently Love, Death & Robots has tried to analyse in its own way similar topics but for a more mature audience.
We are steadily heading towards a future where robots (androids are still a futuristic concept) are becoming part of everyday reality. Think for instance of the outstanding progress Boston Dynamics has accomplished in its field. The more important issue in my opinion is how will humanity treat robots? Admittedly, for the moment we are still talking soulless objects; they are merely robots programmed with a function. Unfortunately when faced with the above mentioned ‘otherness’, I see humanity behaving as a child with a magnifying glass burning ants. Realistically, there would be not empathy towards soulless pieces of metal, but I doubt that said empathy would immediately arise when dealing with conscious artificial intelligence; it will take time. Here’s to hoping for a better future; we shall see what tomorrow holds in store for human evolution as well as for androids alike.
So why did I start this exploration of mechanized simulacra in the first place? Well, here’s the simple answer:
Recently I had the pleaser of watching Sing a Bit of Harmony (Ai no Utagoe wo Kikasete) and the themes it explored resonated with some considerations I had within the past few months.
Now, I will spare you an analysis on the evolution of robots in anime, Japan also being in recent years a global leader in robotics, natural sciences and biomedical technology. There would be too much to discuss and I already did a poor job of explaining my previous hasted examples; I will only say that I shared some of my views in the article on Vivy, another interesting anime for what we are discussing.
That said, what makes Sing a Bit of Harmony so apt for this topic? Well, the anime hints at the conviviality between androids and humanity, depicts the lack of care or attention that humans demonstrate towards ‘otherness’ and it accomplishes even more. It succeeds in creating empathy within the viewer because the plot shows an unknowingly-empathic android that wants to make a human happy (partially because it is its main directive, but also because of something more profound). It is a representation of how much our own coexistence with otherness and our own evolution (technological or otherwise) heavily depends on ourselves.
Sing a Bit of Harmony is what happens when Japanese animators make a musical (think classical Disney animations), while also adding those topics that tend to be more profound. I will also add underneath a clip from the anime where the android is helping a friend to learn judo. The mixture of swing music with the quality of the animation create a perfect scene; it depicts a duality between dance and judo, creating a rhythm that flows in synchrony with the music, all while underneath subsists the duality between humans and androids.