WHY SHOULD IDEAL REASONERS BECOME EVIL COMPUTERS?

Abstract

In his article on ‘Technophobic themes in pre-1990 computer films’, Anton Karl Kozlovic provides an insightful analysis of the theme of ‘evil computers’ in many popular culture films (Kozlovic, 2003). Kozlovic’s focus is on finding the broad, negative categories such as ‘humanity’s rivals’ and ‘humanity’s dominators’ which reappear throughout computer films (p. 4). Kozlovic urges science educators to become aware of the history of these negative pop culture images and engage in ‘consciousness raising activities’ with the aim of correcting fictional excesses and perhaps influencing future depictions of computers in a more positive, engaging direction. Interestingly enough, Kozlovic points out that despite the very negative and unflattering portrayal of robotics and AI, computer films are nevertheless ‘enthusiastically enjoyed by real world professionals in the computer, robotics, and AI fields...’ and cites several sources to document this point (p. 3). Kozlovic says that for these professionals the film is a form of ‘waking dream fueling the desire for the power of imagination and the act of construction’ (p. 3).