Techno-love in "Her"

Not too long ago I saw the movie “Her.”  It’s a thought-provoking story about a lonely man and his techno-romance with his smartphone’s advanced operating system. The lead character Theodore, heart-broken by the breakup of his marriage, becomes intrigued and eventually falls in love with an intuitive, bright, insightful, sensitive and funny smartphone operating system named Samantha.

The film raises some interesting questions:

 Is the flesh and blood romantic spark between two human beings the only path to intimacy or romantic love?  It’s startling to think about relationships between people and silicon based entities...whether smart phones or robots.  Yet how often do we see people absorbed in their smart phones even when among human companions?

Is technology so seductive that life becomes much easier if we could insulate ourselves from messy human emotions? Hmmm:  no drama, no cooking, no cleaning up after, no sharing of home space, no one making demands on time or energy. Or like Samantha, someone to organize life, help with internet research, talk me to sleep and ask nothing in return. Could I, would I, ever fall in love with a computer operating system molded to my psyche?  Sounds attractive. Would I need a “real” relationship?

The larger question:  is technology accelerating the trend toward social isolation?

In examining my own life, I’m amazed at how much time I spend alone...with my computer, Internet, Netflix, even online classes. I don’t have to leave the house, aside from my runs to the library, Trader Joe, the bank, the gym, and to this Center. But even some of those could go. I could order in groceries, do online banking, read on a Kindle, exercise with DVDs, study through EdX,  and even Skype with my family.

Well, I’m not admitting to being a total hermit. I actually do go out with friends and have human interactions. But I can see the danger as well as the opportunity from all these technological changes.

The danger? To melt into and become part of the trend toward social isolation. To become insular.

The opportunity? Technology also brings meetups, and ways to find new friends and activities in the world. All kinds of organizations are online, with places to gather. People still crave connection.

So what’s the point of all this? In the film, both Samantha and Theodore grow, evolve and are are transformed by the adventure of their relationship. As we also can grow, evolve and be transformed by many of life’s adventures and changes.  I look around, as Holmes would say, and know that opportunity lies open to me, full rich, and abundant....whether it is through harnessing technology or using my feet to get out in the world to create something fabulous.  The relative world, the world of conditions is continually changing.  And I know there is always one Constant, one Creative Intelligence, one First Cause, expressing through me and for me and as me. So bring it on...I’m Spirit having a human experience, and I’m hungry for all this world has to offer.

And so it is.