Here are two suggestions of TV shows that revolve around the morality theme, a subject that is one of Neuroscience research focus
Westworld – This sci-fi show is running since 2016 and the third season is currently on air. It depicts a western and dystopian themed amusement park, where android called “hosts” live. People that are generally very rich, can visit this park as “guests”, and may interact with the androids in any way possible: they may talk with them, shot them and satisfy overall any of their cravings without a consequence. With a superb soundtrack and a shrewd storyline, the superficial way of guests using the androids is questioned in terms of morality, when the show starts revealing the complexity of their artificial intelligence. Westworld is one of the most seen shows in HBO, raking as the most-watched first season of any HBO original series. If you are a science enthusiast, with an interest for consciousness and the questions around AI, this is a show for you!
Devs – From Alex Garland, the writer of Ex-Machina, this sci-fi television miniseries is very recent (it was debuted on 5 of March 2020). It explores themes such as determinism and free will with careful cinematography. Lily Chan, a software engineer searches the secretive development division in her quantum computing company, that she believes to be involved in her boyfriend disappearance. The producer explained that his motivation to create the series started with an interest of exploring the principle of determinism: “this principle states that everything that happens in the world is based on cause and effect...” and he wanted to explore how that would take away free will, as well as predicting the future. If you are intrigued by sci-fi, mystery and this kind of questions, you must give Devs a try!
As neuroscientists, we have a soft spot for morality and artificial intelligence. These shows sound like very good entertainment for the next isolation times. We hope you enjoy too. Stay home. Stay safe.
