• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Your Membership
    • Edit Your Profile
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsored posts
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Cart
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Events

Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

  • News
  • Features
  • Video
  • Webinars
  • White papers
  • Press releases
  • Featured companies
    • AMD Xilinx
    • BlueBotics
    • Elite Robot
    • RGo Robotics
    • SICK Sensor Intelligence
    • Vicor Power
the discovery 1

The Discovery: Postcards from the afterlife

March 17, 2018 by Sam Francis

Being from a pre-internet age, I find it surprising when an online company makes or at least funds a good movie, and The Discovery is a very good movie. 

And it’s not just because Robert Redford stars in it that makes it look like a good movie, although that is definitely an advantage because he gives the film a sort of timeless quality and provides a link between an older generation who lived without many of the astounding technologies we know about and perhaps use today.

He’s also an appropriate casting selection for a Netflix movie because he’s a champion of independent films and founded the Sundance Film Festival. Not to mention the fact that he’s also been in some of the most memorable movies of all time, and some that are less well known but of a very high quality nonetheless. 

The discovery which gives the film its name relates to Redford’s character’s discovery of not only the existence of an afterlife but also his invention of devices which can connect to the brain and project images from that afterlife onto a screen.

Amazing technologies like this may or may not exist in our real or simulated world, but there are scientists who claim that they have built instruments which can detect extremely faint electrical signals from dead bodies, and the more turbulent the circumstances of their death, the more strength those signals are said to have.

 

the discovery 2

Whether these signals can be converted into pictures is a question which I think many scientists are probably working on answering.

One of the contraptions shown in The Discovery – something which picks up signals from the brain – looked like devices already used in the medical sector, sometimes referred to as “brain-computer interfaces”.

There are many companies developing these devices to varying degrees of success.

One which was demonstrated to former US president, Barack Obama, was capable of picking up signals from a paraplegic man’s brain and manipulate a robotic arm accurately enough to pick up a cup of coffee.

That one, however, was invasive, meaning, a part of it was directly connected to his brain.

The devices shown in The Discovery tended to be non-invasive, and just worked by picking up signals on the surface of the skin, which is what some of the more recently developed brain-computer interfaces are attempting to do.

The film does go into some very serious issues relating to how such a profound discovery can change people’s attitude to life and death, and depicts a world where literally millions of people choose to die to “get there” to the afterlife.

While, of course, The Discovery is science fiction, it’s a damning indictment of contemporary society, where suicide rates in the US and several other countries are higher than they have ever been.

For most of us, it may be difficult to imagine wanting to die to “get there” and see the afterlife, especially when the technology in the film enables you to see it while you’re still alive. But it’s probably easier to understand in the context, as hinted at in the film, where people’s lives are miserable and totally controlled.

As Redford says at the beginning of the film, “There’s nothing willy-nilly.”

He was talking about having made the discovery public, for which he was being vilified because it supposedly led to people wanting to commit suicide. Apparently, judging from the question asked by the journalist who was interviewing the Redford character, some people thought the discovery was “too dangerous to share with the world”.

Typical “shoot the messenger” diversion from the real problems and issues, which must address questions relating to who controls the technology and how it is being used. In that sense, the film was quite realistic.

Anyway, his answer was: “After much discussion, much debate, we all came to the same conclusion, which is, once you explore all scientific possibilities and you come to a consensus, how can you keep a discovery so vital to our existence a secret?”

The machine Redford’s character builds is capable of capturing “brain wavelengths on a sub-atomic level leaving the body after death”.

Why this discovery would lead to millions of people wanting to die is a bit beyond me. What would worry me more is scientists like Redford’s character capturing brain wavelengths leaving the body while people are still alive and going about their daily lives without any idea that someone somewhere is stealing eavesdropping on their thoughts.

It’s only possible to address one or two issues at a time adequately in a film, and it my ideas about stealing the essence of living people’s brains while it’s still in their heads and their sovereign territory are probably passé, so adding to what The Discovery was already dealing with would probably made it too convoluted.

And the film did deal with its chosen subjects very skilfully, and even managed to weave in subplots about love and loss, as well as the concept of a simulated universe on an infinite loop through a plot device similar to that shown in Groundhog Day.

Clearly, filmmakers think of dystopia as a world where the controllers want everything to happen the same things to happen to the same people, in the same way, every day forever so they all they have to do is refine the details rather than have to deal with freedom with all its unpredictable dangers. Loops probably save a lot of computing resources or something.

I’m probably giving too much away here, or not enough – who knows? – but The Discovery was one of the highest-grossing movies of 2017 so it’s likely that you’ve already seen it.

Strangely enough, what I found most unrealistic about the movie is the scenes where there was some peace and quiet, with the Jason Segel character even remarking, “I thought I was alone”, while travelling on what seemed like a public transport boat.

Who on Earth – literally the whole of the Earth – is alone these days? Even in space, someone can hear you scream.

Plus, there was only one other person on the boat – the Rooney Mara character, who says several times in the movie that she doesn’t feel any emotions, which is a much more authentic reflection of the modern human condition than empty boats and sparsely populated roads and the absence of disruptive noises and people engaging in directed conversation.

It’s not the first time I’ve noticed that films and television shows have shown scenes – perhaps of streets or some other setting – where the characters are not only ignored or left alone by passers-by, there are actually no passers-by. How realistic is that? Is that some sort of aspirational image filmmakers utilise to fill us with a sense of awe at the mere thought of some solitude and enough privacy to live what used to be called a normal life?

That type of picture or scenario seems to have become a template and it’s made me curious about whether or not filmmakers are making a pointed comment about today’s society.

I could be totally missing the point and it could actually be that they simply streamlined the budget and decided not to employ any extras.

Segel actually has more screen time than anyone else in The Discovery, and is given some of the best lines, calling the group of people who have gathered around Redford character a “cult” and playing the average guy who finds himself struggling to cope with what’s going on. “I’m just … processing,” he says at one stage, making me wonder how much computer memory one would need to process, store and analyse a person’s thoughts.

I thought The Discovery was the best film I’ve seen made by Netflix or any of the online movie companies, Amazon Prime included. Especially Amazon Prime included.

And if they do keep producing them at that sort of quality, there really will be fewer people on the streets and on public transport. But that doesn’t mean you’ll ever be alone. Not even in death, if films like The Discovery and Hidden Reserves are anything to go by.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • Pocket

You might also like…

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: film, robert redford, science fiction, the discovery

Join the Robotics & Automation News community

Primary Sidebar

Latest articles

  • Visteon and Steradian partner to develop autonomous car functions
  • Hyundai launches delivery robot pilot programs
  • BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory
  • Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions
  • Robotic nursing assistant market set to expand 15 percent a year through to 2032
  • Bin-picking systems market forecast to grow to $5.6 billion by 2033
  • Material handling robot market predicted to grow to $13 billion by 2033
  • Ottonomy unveils new delivery robot
  • ABB robots help tackle Covid by automating testing, research and diagnostics
  • Svaya Robotics launches ‘India’s first collaborative robot’

Most Read

  • Foxconn plans to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia computing platform
    Foxconn plans to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia computing platform
  • Manufactured in the metaverse: Mercedes-Benz designs virtual factories with Nvidia Omniverse
    Manufactured in the metaverse: Mercedes-Benz designs virtual factories with Nvidia Omniverse
  • Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
    Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
  • Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
    Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
  • UPS and Gap units partner to offer ‘unmatched automation and supply chain capabilities’ to apparel merchants
    UPS and Gap units partner to offer ‘unmatched automation and supply chain capabilities’ to apparel merchants
  • Kuka unveils new compact autonomous mobile robot for intralogistics
    Kuka unveils new compact autonomous mobile robot for intralogistics
  • Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
    Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific partners with Celltrio to build fully automated cell culture system
    Thermo Fisher Scientific partners with Celltrio to build fully automated cell culture system
  • Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
    Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
  • DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks
    DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

Overused words

ai applications automated automation automotive autonomous business china companies company control customers data design development digital electric global industrial industry logistics machine manufacturing market mobile operations platform process production robot robotic robotics robots safety software solution solutions system systems technologies technology time vehicle vehicles warehouse

Secondary Sidebar

Latest news

  • Visteon and Steradian partner to develop autonomous car functions
  • Hyundai launches delivery robot pilot programs
  • BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory
  • Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions
  • Robotic nursing assistant market set to expand 15 percent a year through to 2032
  • Bin-picking systems market forecast to grow to $5.6 billion by 2033
  • Material handling robot market predicted to grow to $13 billion by 2033
  • Ottonomy unveils new delivery robot
  • ABB robots help tackle Covid by automating testing, research and diagnostics
  • Svaya Robotics launches ‘India’s first collaborative robot’

Footer

We are…

Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.

Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.

Thank you.

Independent

Archivists

March 2018
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Feb   Apr »

Complex

Old-skool

This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.

We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.

Future-facing

Free, fair and legal

We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.

Member of The Internet Defense League

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT