Manufacturing and Encountering “Human” in the Age of Digital Reproduction

• Published in: Human No More p. 49
• Main Author: Matthew Bernius
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United States University Press of Colorado 12.08.2012
• Subjects: Animals; Anthropology; Applied anthropology; Applied sciences; Arts; Behavioral sciences; Biological sciences; Biology; Cameras; Children; Communication systems; Communications technology; Computer engineering; Computer science; Computer software; Cultural anthropology; Digital communication systems; Engineering; Human behavior; Human populations; Humans; Internet; Machinery; Mammals; Mechanical engineering; Optical engineering; Optical equipment; Performing arts; Persons; Photographic equipment; Population studies; Primates; Scripts; Search engines; Social behavior; Social interaction; Social sciences; Software applications; Stagecraft; Technology; Theater; Video cameras; Webcams; Websites; World Wide Web; Zoology
• ISBN: 9781607321699; 1607321696; 9781607321897; 1607321890
• DOI: 10.5876/9781607321705.c03

There is little question that Jennings and President Obama had their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks when they made these remarks. The two jokes play upon a time-honored cultural meme: the more intelligent—or perhaps “human”—the machine, the more likely it is to threaten its creators. In the past, these types of references were largely restricted to what we might call “geek culture.” Today, such references are becoming more and more mainstream, reflecting how our day-to-day lives are becoming increasingly intertwined with various forms of artificial intelligence (AI). From the “smart” algorithms that power Internet search engines, to