+3
Okay, I just watched Her (2013), and despite knowing the premise, I didn't go in thinking of this as a sci-fi, but it most definitely is.
It falls into the realm I call cerebral sci-fi: where the focus isn't on special effects, action or laser fights, but on concepts.
Sci-fi always contains metaphors for the human condition and almost always contains warnings on both those things to strive toward and especially those things to avoid.
Her, hit close to home on several levels - everything from the themes of loneliness & relationships to internet addiction & observing a society full of walking zombies tuned into their cell phones while oblivious to most of reality around them.
We can only imagine what increased virtual reality and artificial intelligence could bring - everything from the fantasy of virtual romance (as in this movie) to overly ambitious systems like HAL from 2001 A Space Odyssey or concepts where the A.I. begins to view humanity as an infection or infestation that needs to be eliminated (as in the Terminator movies).
The warning is that such technology may help us escape the pain of reality like a drug, but also like a drug may be addictive and lead to a path of destruction at worst or unnatural mental, emotional & social development at best.
And this might be on an individual level or that of entire societies.
In many ways we're already begin to see it happening - which makes the lighter side of Her seem a little bit scary.
Last edited by Captain Steel; 11-05-15 at 10:04 PM.