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This may be a slight tangent, but I always took the interpretation of Metropolis as one of humans being _reduced_ to the level of machines (and in some ways sub

This may be a slight tangent, but I always took the interpretation of Metropolis as one of humans being _reduced_ to the level of machines (and in some ways subservient to them), less in replacement; the "moloch" scene comes to mind. The only robot in the movie seemed more an analog for questions of humanity, blurring the line of human and machine, and additionally touching on the whole classic "reviving a loved one" tropes. (Not to distract from your point, other works such as Rossam's universal Robots definitely covered the subject matter you refer to, I'm being pedantic about Metropolis largely because the subtle difference I'm emphasizing feels to me as what makes it _so much more accurate and predictive_ to the actual relationship between man, machine, and the owners of production.)

toyg 8y ago
> humans being _reduced_ to the level of machines (and in some ways subservient to them) Oh, you mean like Uber and Deliveroo drivers? In the last century, humans served machines. In this century, they will serve algorithms. Lang's work is more relevant than ever. In many ways we are re-living the events of 100 years ago, only this time the US are in the driving seat, rather than Europe.
- geezerjay 8y ago
  > Oh, you mean like Uber and Deliveroo drivers? How is that any different than a waiter working for a restaurant or cafe? The old nature of things doesn't change if you replace a notepad with a web service.
  - toyg 8y ago
    > How is that any different than a waiter working for a restaurant or cafe? This is the sort of insensitive and short-sighted remark that gives HN a bad name. In one job, you work with a group of people, answering to people. In the other, you work alone, answering to a computer. The computer doesn't care if today you have a headache, your mother died, your child needs to see a doctor, or customer XYZ is an asshole: you will only be compensated precisely for how productive you are at any given time. The computer won't make you favours and won't help you any differently on any given day. You will not get to know the computer better over time, you won't become friends and go out together, or collaborate on a new business. The computer won't invite you to his wedding or introduce you to his children. It's weird that we have to be reminded of this, but there is no humanity in the relationship with an algorithm.
krrrh 8y ago
I appreciate the clarification, and you're totally right. I grabbed at the cover image as it flashed through my mind without actually taking time to remember the film, which I haven't seen for a while.

toyg 8y ago

> humans being _reduced_ to the level of machines (and in some ways subservient to them) Oh, you mean like Uber and Deliveroo drivers? In the last century, humans served machines. In this century, they will serve algorithms. Lang's work is more relevant than ever. In many ways we are re-living the events of 100 years ago, only this time the US are in the driving seat, rather than Europe.

geezerjay 8y ago
> Oh, you mean like Uber and Deliveroo drivers? How is that any different than a waiter working for a restaurant or cafe? The old nature of things doesn't change if you replace a notepad with a web service.
- toyg 8y ago
  > How is that any different than a waiter working for a restaurant or cafe? This is the sort of insensitive and short-sighted remark that gives HN a bad name. In one job, you work with a group of people, answering to people. In the other, you work alone, answering to a computer. The computer doesn't care if today you have a headache, your mother died, your child needs to see a doctor, or customer XYZ is an asshole: you will only be compensated precisely for how productive you are at any given time. The computer won't make you favours and won't help you any differently on any given day. You will not get to know the computer better over time, you won't become friends and go out together, or collaborate on a new business. The computer won't invite you to his wedding or introduce you to his children. It's weird that we have to be reminded of this, but there is no humanity in the relationship with an algorithm.

krrrh 8y ago

I appreciate the clarification, and you're totally right. I grabbed at the cover image as it flashed through my mind without actually taking time to remember the film, which I haven't seen for a while.