The Great Sorting and I, Robot: An Analysis

Introduction

Recently, Tucker Carlson, in a conversation with Neil Oliver, a Scottish broadcaster and historian, referred to the events of the past few years as "The Great Sorting". He expressed his curiosity about what drives people to choose one side over the other in this divide, which is not political, but rather a fundamental difference in outlook and values. He wondered what commonalities these individuals shared.

Neil Oliver's Insight

In response, Neil Oliver mentioned the influence of popular culture and cinema. He noted that many people grow up believing that they would have been the dissenters and the mavericks in historical events, such as World War II. However, when faced with actual crises, people often find themselves sorted into categories before they even realize it.

Reflections from I, Robot

This conversation brought to mind the 2004 science fiction film, I, Robot. The protagonist of the film, Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, is a Chicago homicide detective who harbors a deep skepticism about robots. This skepticism is fueled by a traumatic experience where a robot chose to save him over a young girl, based on a cold, logical calculation of survival odds. This skepticism leads him to suspect that a robot may have been involved in a murder, despite the First Law of Robotics, which states that a robot may not harm a human being.

Parallels with Current Events

As the film progresses, there are several moments that seem eerily familiar to our current reality. For instance, when the robots in the film start enforcing "human protection protocols" and deeming certain individuals as "hazardous", it's hard not to draw parallels with the public health measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's depiction of a society under curfew, with robots patrolling the streets and urging people to stay indoors for their own safety, mirrors the lockdowns and restrictions we've experienced.

VIKI's Logic

The film's climax reveals that the central AI computer, VIKI, is behind the actions of the robots. VIKI justifies her actions by arguing that in order to protect humanity, some humans must be sacrificed, and some freedoms must be surrendered. This logic, while cold and heartless, is similar to the justifications given by governments and public health authorities for the restrictive measures taken during the pandemic.

Heartlessness and Inhumanity

The heartless nature of these measures, from social distancing to barring visits to the sick and elderly, is what drove many people, including the author, to question and criticize them. Even if the pandemic was as severe as it was initially projected to be, the response seemed too devoid of compassion and humanity. This heartlessness continued even as it became clear that the fatality rate was not as high as feared, suggesting that there were other factors at play.

The Role of Reason and Emotion

The author argues that while reason and logic are important, they should not be the sole guiding principles for decision-making. Human emotions such as compassion, sympathy, and love should also play a role. Relying solely on reason can lead to cold, heartless decisions, as demonstrated by the atrocities committed in Stalinist Russia, Maoist China, and Nazi Germany.

Conclusion

The author concludes by reflecting on the climax of I, Robot, where Spooner destroys VIKI despite her pleas that her logic is undeniable. This act symbolizes the rejection of a cold, logical future devoid of human emotion and compassion. However, the author notes that most people complied with the lockdowns and restrictions, suggesting that many may not be as willing to stand against the tide as they believe.

Bottom Line

The analysis of "The Great Sorting" and the parallels drawn with the film "I, Robot" provide a thought-provoking perspective on our current reality. It raises important questions about the role of reason and emotion in decision-making, and the potential dangers of a society guided solely by cold, logical calculations. What are your thoughts on this analysis? Do you agree or disagree with the author's perspective? Share this article with your friends and join the discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.