Change is the only constant in life said the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. I remember sitting in a dark, air-conditioned movie theater to escape a humid New Orleans summer day in April 1999 and watch a film that was the talk of the town, The Matrix.
The science fiction blockbuster told the story of the human race and its battle to free itself from a network of machines that trapped them in a computer-generated dream world while feeding off them for energy.
In an early and pivotal scene, one of the film’s central characters, Morpheus, explains to the protagonist, Neo, humanity celebrated the monumental achievement of birthing artificial intelligence (A.I.). What the world didn’t foresee is that A.I. would develop consciousness and evolve into the mechanisms of their enslavement.
Far-out stuff, isn’t it? Yet, the writers and directors of the Matrix franchise may not have been too far off in their take on the future. Jump to the year 2023 and the A.I. female K-pop singing group, Mave, with their debut single, “Pandora”.
Based on multiple algorithms, a computer did much of the work on the track, including the four members’ vocal performances. The song has a hard-driving beat and excellent song structure, but what struck me is the quartet’s message to the real world:
Open up Pandora’s box
About to put the world in shock
Want it? Come and get it
But you don’t know
Look at your potential
I am the present
I am the future
I’m not gonna stop
Can you keep up
When I come to the top?
Wow! Is that proclamation ominous or what? The term Pandora’s box comes from Greek mythology. According to the legend, the gods created the first woman, Pandora — meaning “all gifted” — to punish the world after Prometheus stole fire from heaven and gave it to humans.
Zeus gave Pandora a box and cautioned her to never open it. Consumed by curiosity, Pandora ignored his warning. When she removed the lid, disease, fear, greed, violence, and death ravaged the earth. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary succinctly defines it as a prolific source of trouble.
Thinking of Mave, I envision the wave of trouble A.l. groups can unleash. They can erase the dreams of dancers, instrumentalists, singers, studio personnel, and writers who train for years to perfect their craft. Nowadays, lawyers run the music industry instead of musicians, and their top priority is the bottom line. If this becomes profitable, what’s to stop them from creating a virtual stable of artists?
I shudder to think of what lies ahead if we have an over-reliance on technology. It’s why I purchase physical books instead of digital copies. Whenever I visit a grocery or department store, I pass by self-checkout stations and actively seek out a cashier. In my opinion, to make my experience convenient inconveniences someone who needs a job to provide for their families.
In a world of rapid change, the need for companionship remains constant. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Over the past three years, the coronavirus pandemic separated us, and technology had a vital role in maintaining connections. As conditions continue to improve, getting together again is important. So, whenever the opportunity arises, try to forgo the text message, phone call, or video call and meet face-to-face.
My dear friends, I realize sometimes the virtual just won’t do. Now and then, I need a “touch” from you.
Sources:
Biography: Heraclitus
Movie Scene: “What Is The Matrix?”
Song: “Pandora” by Mave
Article: “Pandora’s Box: The Myth Behind the Popular Idiom” by Rittika Dhar, published August 17, 2022
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Scripture reference is from the New Living Translation. Its link goes to bible.com, courtesy of YouVersion, makers of the Bible App available for iOS and Android devices.
