Problematizing the Human-Technology Relationship through Techno-Spiritual Myths Presented in The Machine, Transcendence and Her

This article explores three common techno-spiritual myths presented in three recent science fiction films, highlighting how the perceived spiritual nature of technology sets-out an inherently problematic relationship between humanity and technology. In The Machine, Transcendence and Her, human-creat...

Description complète

Enregistré dans:  
Détails bibliographiques
Autres titres:The 2015 International Conference on Religion and Film in Istanbul
Auteur principal: Campbell, Heidi 1970- (Auteur)
Type de support: Électronique Article
Langue:Anglais
Vérifier la disponibilité: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
En cours de chargement...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Publié: 2016
Dans: The journal of religion and film
Année: 2016, Volume: 20, Numéro: 1, Pages: 1-28
Sujets / Chaînes de mots-clés standardisés:B Être humain / Machine / Intelligence artificielle / Transcendance
RelBib Classification:AB Philosophie de la religion
AD Sociologie des religions
ZB Sociologie
ZC Politique en général
Sujets non-standardisés:B Narrative
B Technology
B Artificial Intelligence
B Myths
B Posthuman
B Science Fiction
Accès en ligne: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Résumé:This article explores three common techno-spiritual myths presented in three recent science fiction films, highlighting how the perceived spiritual nature of technology sets-out an inherently problematic relationship between humanity and technology. In The Machine, Transcendence and Her, human-created computers offer salvation from human limitations. Yet these creations eventually overpower their creators and threaten humanity as a whole. Each film is underwritten by a techno-spiritual myths including: “technology as divine transcendence” (where technology is shown to endow humans with divine qualities, “technological mysticism” (framing technology practice as a form of religion/spirituality) and “techgnosis” (where technology itself is presented as a God). Each myth highlights how the human relationship to technology is often framed in spiritual terms, not only in cinema, but in popular culture in general. I argue these myths inform the storylines of these films, and spotlight common concerns about the outcome of human engagement with new technologies. By identifying these myths and discussing how they inform these films, a techno-spirituality grounded in distinctive posthuman narratives about the future of humanity is revealed.
ISSN:1092-1311
Contient:Enthalten in: The journal of religion and film