Amy Sumida's Blog - Posts Tagged "equality"
Human is as human does
I've been getting into this new series called Almost Human. It comes on Mondays nights and I'm actually waiting for it to start as I write this post. The reason for my fascination isn't merely that it's a great story, it's that one of the characters in it reminds me of one of the characters in my books.
The series is set in the future where cops are assigned robot partners except the hero of the story gets assigned an older version of the robots that was created to feel emotions, to be almost human.
This character reminds me so much of Torrent, my little Pinnochio who was created by a god with parts of himself and Internet energy. One of the issues I address with him often is that of what's real. What makes us real people? Is it blood and flesh or is it our emotions and the way respond to those around us?
I know this is a fictional argument but it resonates with me and I think it works on many levels, racism and animal abuse are two that come immediately to mind. Ironically, it seems to be a human trait to think of others different than ourselves as not human. Does the color of our skin change our ability to love or be loved. Does a body covered in fur or feathers make it okay for others to hurt us or treat us as property? I could keep going but I'm sure you've got the idea. So I leave you with the words of the great bard and also of Torrent: If you prick us, do we not bleed?
The series is set in the future where cops are assigned robot partners except the hero of the story gets assigned an older version of the robots that was created to feel emotions, to be almost human.
This character reminds me so much of Torrent, my little Pinnochio who was created by a god with parts of himself and Internet energy. One of the issues I address with him often is that of what's real. What makes us real people? Is it blood and flesh or is it our emotions and the way respond to those around us?
I know this is a fictional argument but it resonates with me and I think it works on many levels, racism and animal abuse are two that come immediately to mind. Ironically, it seems to be a human trait to think of others different than ourselves as not human. Does the color of our skin change our ability to love or be loved. Does a body covered in fur or feathers make it okay for others to hurt us or treat us as property? I could keep going but I'm sure you've got the idea. So I leave you with the words of the great bard and also of Torrent: If you prick us, do we not bleed?
