Alter – a robot with neural pathways – that can sing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36973819
She turns to us in silence,
Her movements Geisha-like in their simple beauty.
Poised. Ready. Empty-eyed.
Her voice is light as a plucked harp.
Delicate as a spiderweb.
The song – like her – is bereft of language;
Yet melody ripples from her curved lips
And soft notes soar
As cameras flash and whirr.
The metal bird without a soul
Sings
In her empty cage.
(c) Anne McMaster 2016
Powerful description and social commentary.
Thank you! I’d done some research into modern technology, and the story of Alter really caught my imagination. I work in the arts, directing theatre and opera, and to see a creature produce musical tones (usually associated with artistry, serious preparation and empathy with the music) really unsettled me. I also paid homage to a Ray Bradbury short story in this (couldn’t resist!) where a king destroys real animals (tiny birds) in favour of a mechanical bird singing a mechanical song. (Spot the sci-fi geek!)
Very nice, Anne
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
You’ve made the robot come alive!
Sheila – thank you so much! I’d read about Alter (and her launch to the world) online and it really troubled me. I’ve always been a classic sci-fi reader (Bradbury and Asimov especially) and I’m not a Luddite by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s strange that so much emphasis is placed on making the unreal real – when we already have so many issues to deal with in the real world.
I’ve taught performing arts for almost 28 years in total (college and freelance) and I found it unsettling to watch a creature mimic the creative expression of a human being. That was what I tried to put across. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!