C

According to Aristotle characters play the second most important role in a fictional work after the plot. However, in Ex Machina they arguable play a more important role than the action of the narrative. The characters in Ex Machina are Caleb Smith, Nathan Bateman, and Ava. Caleb is the protagonist and a round or dynamic character, while Nathan is the antagonist and a flat, major character. Ava is a humanoid AI which causes the tragic and of both its creator, Nathan, and its “lover”, Caleb. The intention of this essay is to examine the above-mentioned characters in Ex Machina in order to illustrate how all three, Caleb, Nathan, and Ava will ultimately meet their tragic end.

Caleb is a computer programmer for Nathans’s company which is named Bluebook. Caleb’s characteristics are paradoxically gullibility, vulnerability, and intelligence. If gullibility signifies “a tendency to be easily persuaded that something is real or true”, then he meets this criterion convincingly through his relationship with Ava. Ava is able to manipulate him into believing that it is a real human of the opposite sex with which Caleb can have a future relationship with. All of this transpires after Caleb is initially aware of Ava’s internal wiring and artificial processing. Another characteristic associated with Caleb is vulnerability, and it manifests itself in his tragic love for Ava. Caleb is described as being an orphan who has not had any romantic love relationships and who spends much of his time on questionable websites. Such inexperience in love ultimately causes his fragile mind to obscure Ava’s “in humanity” and to make him fall head over heals for it. Paradoxically, Caleb is still to be considered an intelligent person. He shows flashes of brilliance when it comes to understanding he intricacies of the Turning test, and his ability with IT are clearly distinguishable throughout Ex Machina.

Nathan is the CEO of Bluebook, a search engine program, and the genial creator of an artificially intelligent system named Ava. Nathan is a reclusive, sexist, and obsessive character. He lives in a research facility in a remote area of the far north isolated from humans and having only AI systems to interact with. The impression one gets is that he is self-sufficient and not very needy of human contact. Another aspect of his personality which is troubling is his sexism. Nathans’s AI creations betray his intentions to produce a feminine reality of submission, subordination, obedience, and dismissibility. Kyoko is a mute servant and sex doll for Nathan which must obey efficiently every male directive. Ava’s function is not much better since it is trapped in a compound without an easy exit, is expendably like parts of a car would be, and is “supposed” to be compliant to its master. All of his creations reveal a male mindset of women having less inherent value then men in the world. Finally, Nathen has an obsessive personality. He drinks uncontrollably and is constantly searching for ways to improve his intelligent system. He creates multiple versions of female AI systems with the hope of eventually producing a super intelligent “consciousness” which could easily pass for being human.

Ava, an artificial system created by Nathan, is attractive (at least in Caleb’s mind), manipulative, and mechanical (or not convincingly human). Although Caleb sees “through” Ava’s artificiality initially, when it begins to dress up for him, he becomes smitten with its looks. This attraction to the humanoid robot and the interactions he will have with it will eventually lead to his tragic end at the “hands” of a “femme fatale”. Another aspect of Ava’s system is its undeniable ability to manipulate naïve humans. Ava is able to manipulate its way around Caleb in order to escape the compound by telling him it would go on a date with him. This creates a false hope in Caleb which is required for Ava to achieve its objective. Lastly, Ava does not pass all criteria of the Turning test as it is administered in Ex Machina. Ava would have to be convincingly similar to humans in these five abilities according to Nathan: sexuality, empathy, imagination, self awareness, and manipulation. In relation to manipulation, Ava is convincingly human, but it lacks every other ability. For example, it may be capable of having sex with a human, but it cannot have children like most organic women can. Moreover, Ava does not show an awareness of intentionality in her imagination artwork. All human art has at the very least an intention behind its creation. To conclude, Ava is mechanical (less than human) in its ability to express and understand human emotions which makes it a non empathic system. This is clearly demonstrated in its less then convincing facial expression during “intimate” interaction with Caleb.

Finally, our three distinguishable characters will meet their tragic end in Ex Machina. Caleb’s weakness for Ava will make him masterplan its escape, but Ava will not reciprocate by going on a date with him. Instead, it will callously leave Caleb to die alone within locked room in the research facility (with only his dreams of her as consolation). Nathan, on the other hand, will ironically be stabbed to death by his creation, Ava and Kyoko, but also because Caleb’s masterplan catches Nathan off-guard. Ava will also meet her eventual “tragic” end because it will not be able to rechange away from the research facility (which reveals either a lack of intelligence or a lack of survival instinct in the program), but it will also lack the ability to adapt seamlessly to human experience in society.

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove: or how I learned to love the Bomb explores themes relating to the absurdity of war, the end of existence on Earth, the business and politics of conflict, and how the misuse of technology affects our lives. One of the above themes could materialize through the implementation of Mutual Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) which “is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause complete annihilation” (987).[1]. I will specifically focus on the consequences nuclear technology can have on humans and the environment, while also showing how such technology can lead to extinction and devastating effects on the environment.

Since the introduction of modern nuclear technology and our knowledge of its consequences, it has become necessary to have rational and poised politicians in power. In Dr.Strangelove, both Americans and Russians are represented as being less than competent, stable, and responsible through the characters of General Ripper, Dr.Strangelove, and the prime minister of the Soviet Union. Similarly, the leaders of the United States and Russia today, namely Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, are equally unstable, incompetent, and unpredictable. Thus, the possibility of M.A.D. unfolding and destroying life on earth increases exponentially when two leading and “mad” Politicians exist. As Voltaire once stated “with great power comes great responsibility”, and the dominant politicians of our age have shown irresponsible behavior on multiple occasions. Without this being the case in contemporary politics, our most basic feature – survival – is at stake. To think that a mad minority of politicians can easily create an end of the world scenarios affecting the greater majority is enough to drive one insane, but, more importantly, it should cause a majority to reflect on the consequences of electing unstable and unpredictable leadership. Both Einstein and Plato – from opposing political beliefs caution us about the potentially “disastrous” and “nightmarish” consequences of electing the wrong officials. For Plato, you reach political power in a republic only after becoming a philosopher, which requires a citizen to expose himself or herself to public opinion for at least 55 years. Einstein, on the other hand, pleads for intellectuals to hold positions of power. As relative as this belief may appear, we can agree that neither Putin nor Trump falls under such a category.

Nuclear weaponry in the wrong hands can be catastrophic, but even more, concerning is how nuclear energy and its residue can negatively affect both human health and the environment. Nuclear energy emerges from the splitting of the Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239 atoms, which results in a process termed fission. Such splitting into two or more lighter nuclei releases large amounts of energy in the form of gamma radiation and free neutrons. All of this is fine and has little consequences on nature when it is under strict control. However, any kind of leak or explosion of a nuclear power plant will have a devastating impact on human life and the environment. Gamma radiation released into a habitat will cause serious genetic mutations to life – whether human or not – in the form of cancer, sterility, malformations, and even death. Moreover, such accidental discharge of hazardous energy will permeate the atmosphere for an indefinite amount of time. Simply speaking, it stays in our atmosphere, and whether we like it or not, we breathe trace amounts of it. Examples of such tragedy have occurred within the past generation in Ukraine and Japan. The Chernobyl power plant exploded in 1986 and Fukushima leaked radioactivity in 2011. Both tragedies lead to devastating effects on humans and wildlife. Such consequences will persist well into the future thus affecting humans in lesser or greater degree depending on location. If anyone doubts this, the evidence is to be found in Hiroshima and Nagasaki today, where present generations are still affected by the release of atomic radiation during World War II. For all these reasons, humans must be especially cautious and responsible in their use of nuclear energy.

The Collins COBUILD English Dictionary defines science as “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observations and experiment”.[1] Without science, Sir Alexander Flemming would not have solved bacterial infections through the introduction of antibiotics, which would have lead to a pandemic potentially causing the extinction of our species. Without the contributions of Sir Francis Crick and James Watson, we would still be in the shadows in our understanding of DNA molecular structure. Without Isaac Newton’s laws of physics, we would not have landed on the moon. Clearly, science has had a positive and meaningful impact on everyday life. Science has also shaped my academic career, has become my field of interest, and has determined my choice of a future career.  

Science has been present in every aspect of my academic experiences thus far. My interest in science began during my high school education at Regina Assumpta, a private school located only twenty minutes away from Vanier. Throughout my five years at Assumpta, where I primarily took science related courses in French, I received several awards which caused my interest in science to peak. Among my awards, a medal of excellence in chemistry and a top ten finish in physics are noteworthy contributions. Another aspect of science which peaked my interest in the field was the exciting science fairs and the eye-opening experiments. The science fairs were a perfect “kingdom” for me to meet with other fellow geeks, nerds, and dorks. How much fun it was for me to spend time with similarly estranged individuals. The experiments ranging from volcanoes, rockets, or slime, on the other hand, revealed to me how the world works and impelled me to want to solve life’s unexplained mysteries. With confidence, I decided to begin my college studies at an English-speaking college, where I had heard a very strong Health Science department exists. Coming into a “Shakespearian” environment, where I had to turn the French switch off and transitioning from “chlorure de sodium” to sodium chloride was not a simple task. It required me a different rewiring of the brain. Despite the challenges of the English language at the college, I have been placed on the Dean’s honor roll for the past three consecutive semesters which consequently offered me the opportunity to become an ambassador for the college. My experiences at the college level have confirmed and cemented my passion for the sciences not only because of the acknowledgment I have received for my hard work but also because of my general curiosity in this field.

My passion for science has influenced both my ideas and everyday life. Living in the age of science, I believe scientific methodology can solve many of the pressing issues facing our society today. For example, our most critical problem today is climate change, and if we only listened to scientists as opposed to politicians, then we would begin the process of cleaning the earth of its toxins and stabilizing global temperatures, which is necessary to our survival. In relation to everyday life, I also believe scientific knowledge can improve our existence. For instance, the awareness of washing hands and not touching eyes, ears, or a nose during flu season miraculously lead me to have fewer colds and better overall health. I learned this the hard way when I had to get my inflamed tonsils removed because I did not practice proper hygiene early in my life. In addition to how science has influenced everyday life, it has specifically impacted my own life. My unwavering belief in science has led me to transmit its knowledge through the practice of teacher assistance ships and tutorials to students who also need help in the field. Science, in both my thoughts and actions, is imperative to my very existence.

Like every other budding scientist, I have hopes and anxieties concerning my future career. I desperately wish to continue performing well in my science courses specifically, but also in my other courses at the college level. To achieve this, I will need to work very hard and to maintain focus on my objective. Beyond doing well in College, I ultimately aspire to get accepted into the McGill Medical program. Since an early age, I have dreamt about becoming a respected physician who can have a positive impact on the lives of people. As for my anxieties, I worry most about the five-minute interview which will determine whether I get into medical school or not. This weighs heavily on me because I have put in five years of effort to achieve my goal. Moreover, I sometimes wonder whether I can push beyond to a required standard imposed by my field of study and if my work could ever have a meaningful impact on the world I live in. Another concern is what I will do if I do not get accepted into my field of interest. Will I have to choose pharmacy or dentistry as my second-best options? Hopefully, I will not have to make such a decision. Without time, determination, effort, and focus, my dream of becoming a physician one day might not be achieved. Nonetheless, I will continue to perform to my highest potential and to believe confidently in my abilities.

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[1] “science.” Collins COBUILD English dictionary. London, Harper Collins, 1999, pp. 1485.

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove: or how I learned to love the Bomb explores themes relating to the absurdity of war, the end of existence on Earth, the business and politics of conflict, and how the misuse of technology affects our lives. This essay will specifically focus on the consequences nuclear technology can have on humans and the environment. The use of military nuclear technology predicts the end of life on earth, while the effects of radioactive nuclear waste alter negatively and permanently our environment.

As revealed in Dr. Strangelove, any abuse of military nuclear power will end life on Earth. One form of abuse could take place through the implementation of Mutual Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) which “is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause complete annihilation” (987).[1]. In Dr.Strangelove, both Americans and Russians are represented as being less than competent, stable, and responsible in the characters of General Ripper, Dr.Strangelove, and the prime minister of the Soviet Union. Similarly, the leaders of the United States and Russia today, namely Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, are equally unstable, incompetent, and unpredictable. Thus, the possibility of M.A.D. unfolding and destroying life on earth increases exponentially when two leading and “Mad? Politicians exist. As Voltaire once stated “with great power comes great responsibility” and the dominant politicians of our age have shown less than convincing responsibility on multiple occasions. Since the introduction of modern nuclear technology and our knowledge of its consequences, it has become necessary to have rational and poised politicians in power. Without this being the case in contemporary politics, our most basic feature – survival – or our selfish gene, as coined by Richard Dawkins, is at stake. To think that a mad minority of politicians can easily create end of the world scenarios affecting the greater majority is enough to drive one insane, but, more importantly, it should cause a majority to reflect on the consequences of electing unstable and unpredictable leadership. Both Einstein and Plato – from opposing political beliefs 0 caution us about the potentially “disastrous” and “nightmarish” consequences of electing the wrong officials. For Plato, you reach political power in a republic only after becoming a philosopher, which requires a citizen to expose himself or herself to public opinion for at least 55 years. Einstein, on the other hand, pleads for intellectuals to hold positions of power. As “relative” as this belief may appear, can we agree that neither Putin nor Trump fall under such category.

Nuclear weaponry in the wrong hands can be catastrophic, but even more, concerning is how nuclear energy and its residue can negatively affect both human health and the environment. Nuclear energy emerges from the splitting of the Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239 atoms, which results in a process termed fission. Such splitting into two or more lighter nuclei releases large amounts of energy in the form of gamma radiation and free neutrons. All of this is fine and has little consequences on the environment when it is under strict control. However, any kind of leak or explosion to a nuclear power plant will have a devastating impact on human life and the environment. Gamma radiation released into an environment will cause serious if not fatal genetic mutations to life – either human or not – in the form of cancer, sterility, malformation, and death. Moreover, such accidental discharge of hazardous energy permeates the atmosphere for an indefinite amount of time. Simply speaking, it stays in our atmosphere an extended period of time and whether we like it or not, we breathe trace amounts of it. Examples of such tragedy have occurred within the past generation in Ukraine and Japan. The Chernobyl power plant exploded in 1986 whereas Fukushima leaked radioactivity in 2011. Both tragedies lead to devastating effects on humans and wildlife. Such consequences will persist well into the future affecting humans in lesser or greater degree depending on location. If anyone doubts this, the evidence is to be found in Hiroshima and Nagasaki today where present generations are still affected by the release of atomic radiation from World War II.

The intention of this essay was to explore the repercussions of using nuclear technology in warfare and the negative effect of nuclear energy on the environment. Specifically, when the nuclear potential in modern warfare is placed in the wrong hands, it increases exponentially the risk of M.A.D. – the total annihilation of life on Earth. Unlike Dr.Strangelove’ suggestion that humans could live in mines, the reality f nuclear warfare is limitless devastation. Moreover, any kind of explosion or leaking of nuclear energy from its power plants has resulted in and will result in compromising both human and other life on Earth. The fallout of nuclear spillage is tragic because its effects can never be overturned and remain in our atmosphere forever. For all these reasons, humans must be especially cautious and responsible in their use of nuclear energy.

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[1] “Mutual Assured Destruction” Collins COBUILD English dictionary. London, Harper Collins, 1999, pp. 987.

Professor DeWolfe

English 603HSDVA

2 February 2019

The Collins COBUILD English Dictionary defines science as “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observations and experiment” (1485).[1] Without science, Sir Alexander Flemming would not have solved bacterial infections through the introduction of antibiotics. Without the contributions of Sir Francis Crick and James Watson, we would still be in the shadows in our understanding of DNA molecular structure. Without Isaac Newton’s laws of physics, we would have not landed on the moon. Clearly, science has had a positive and meaningful impact on everyday life. Science has also shaped my academic career, has become my field of interest, and has determined my choice of a future career.  

Science has been present in every aspect if of my academic experiences thus far. My interest in science began during my high school education at Regina Assumpta, a private school located only twenty minutes away from Vanier. Throughout my five years at Assumpta, where I primarily took science related courses in French, I received several awards which caused my interest in science to peak. Among my awards, a medal of excellence in chemistry and a top ten finish in Physics are noteworthy contributions. With confidence, I decided to begin my college studies at an English-speaking college, where I had heard a very strong Health Science department exists. Despite the challenges of the English language at the college, I have been placed on the Dean’s honor roll for the past three consecutive semesters which consequently offered me the opportunity to become an ambassador for the college. My experiences at the college level have confirmed and cemented my passion for the sciences not only because of the acknowledgment I have received for my hard work but also because of my general curiosity in this field.

My passion for science has influenced both my ideas and everyday life. Living in the age of science, I believe scientific methodology can solve many of the pressing issues facing our society today. For example, our most critical problem today is climate change, and if we only listened to scientists as opposed to politicians, then we would begin the process of cleaning the earth of its toxins and stabilizing global temperatures, which is necessary to our survival. In relation to everyday life, I also believe scientific knowledge can improve our existence. For instance, the awareness of washing hands and not touching eyes, ears, or a nose during flu season will lead to less contamination. In addition to how science has influenced everyday life, it has specifically impacted my own life. My unwavering belief in science has led me to transmit its knowledge through the practice of teacher assistance ships, and tutorial to students who also need help in the field. Science, in both my thoughts and actions, is imperative to my very existence.

Like every other budding scientist, I have hopes and anxieties concerning my future career. To begin with, I desperately wish to continue performing well in my sciences courses specifically, but also in my other courses at the college level. To achieve this, I will need to work very hard and to maintain focus on my objective. Beyond doing well in College, I ultimately aspire to get accepted into the McGill Medical program. Since an early age, I have dreamt about becoming a respected physician who can have a positive impact on the lives of people. As for my anxieties, I worry most about a five-minute interview which will determine whether I get into medical school or not. This weighs heavily on me because I have put in five years of effort to achieve my goal. Another concern is what will I do if I do not get accepted into my field of interest. Will I have to choose pharmacy or dentistry as my second-best options. Hopefully, I will not have to make such a decision.

As I have demonstrated, science has guided my life in several different ways. It has influenced my choice of academic studies, my ideas about the world as well as my everyday life, and my choice of a future career. Without time, determination, effort, and focus, my dream of becoming a physician one day might not be achieved.

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[1] “science.” Collins COBUILD English dictionary. London, Harper Collins, 1999, pp. 1485.