Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to close themselves off from society in safety lanes and master modern technologies more. Humanity has begun to increasingly use computers and other devices for learning and communication. In addition, it saved me from boredom and made it possible to feel the care of friends and relatives who were not around. Accordingly, we can say that innovations helped humanity maintain an emotional state in extremely difficult times. A related theme is raised in the film HER (2013) and becomes its main motif.
Main body
The film has certain similarities with how humanity perceives reality since the beginning of the grand lockdown. First of all, these are devices and artificial intelligence that people use every day. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many have switched to distance learning and remote work. At the same time, constant negotiations take place with the participation of a wireless or wired headset to hear others. For most of the film, Theodore uses what appears to be modern wireless headphones to communicate with Samantha (Her, 2013). Thus, it is shown how technology immediately penetrates our lives. Constant communication via the Internet with an interlocutor who does not even always have a camera or a personal photo in the profile reminds me of how Theodore communicated with Samantha. He did not see her face and the program itself did not have a corporeal shell, however, he shared his emotions and feelings with her, as people share with their companions through social networks. Since the beginning of the pandemic, people have become accustomed to sharing their innermost things via the Internet and looking for feedback from the same users.
An example of this would be the scene where Theodore and Samantha are talking about his ex-wife. He confided everything about their lives to artificial intelligence, saying: “growing without growing apart or changing without it scaring the other person” (Her, 2013, 58:20). Currently, people trust their virtual interlocutors due to the lack of live communication. This is extremely reminiscent of the situation with Samantha and Theodore when for a lonely person, artificial intelligence becomes the only friend and lover about whom they seek advice.
At the same time, in this one can see the difference between the relative characters and real life. Samantha, artificial intelligence, is a man-made work that needs support. However, in the film, she takes on a mind and feelings of her own, which is expressed in her words: “Last week my feelings were hurt by something you said before” (1:15:10). The post-covid society makes more use of artificial intelligence, including Siri as a prime example. However, this system does not have its sensory spectrum, which makes a big difference. This means that people cannot share their experiences and receive an emotional response, as shown in the film. In addition, people are still distinguished by distrust of artificial intelligence, since they do not understand the course of his thought. Theodore, on the contrary, sees in Samantha a real interlocutor with the same qualities as a real person, only without a carnal shell.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be said that in the film and real life, some similarities and discrepancies can be distinguished. First of all, it should be noted the importance of a virtual interlocutor and the manifestation of one’s feelings towards them regarding different life situations. In addition, a person needs to receive an emotional response that Samantha or the interlocutor gives. However, the main difference lies in the identification of artificial intelligence with a person, a phenomenon that is not observed in reality.
Reference
Jonze, S. (2013). Her [Film]. Annapurna Pictures.