Episode 061- ACGT/0101: AI and the Uncanny Valley

How does it make you feel when somebody stares at you?  An unflinching stare.  Angry?  Scared?  Anxious?  All of the above?  How about when said eyes belong to a doll?  Depends on the doll, really.  If it's obviously fake, then it's not a problem, but what if it's really life-like?  The "uncanny valley" is a term that refers to a graphic representation of how comfortable we are with unreal faces.  They can get closer and closer to human and we like them more until….they cross a threshold and then… let's say we're less than happy with them.  This is why people get creeped out by dolls or ventriloquist dummies, or human-styled robots or androids.  This territory is great fodder for horror stories.  The potential for dolls to come to life, or artificial intelligence (AI) or robots getting a software glitch (or even evolving) and turning on us is a great trope to scare people with.  We can also explore our relationship with humanity and technology with great story-telling.  In this episode I talk about AI and the uncanny valley, and how horror has used these techniques to tell some interesting stories. I hope you enjoy the episode.   Join the Hellbent for Horror Horde on Patreon! Click here: http://bit.ly/2i3VLoe   If you like the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes or Google Play.  It really helps.      You can now subscribe to the Hellbent for Horror podcast now available on iTunes, Google Play, PlayerFM, and Stitcher.   You can keep up with Hellbent for Horror on iTunes @iTunesPodcasts     iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hellbent-for-horror/id1090978706 Google Play link:https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ibsk2i4bbprrplyvs37c6aqv2ny Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/hellbent-for-horror?refid=stpr   For you, the listeners of Hellbent for Horror, Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. To download your free audiobook today, go to: http://www.audibletrial.com/HellbentForHorror #horror #horrormovies #hellbentforhorror Movies discussed: Blade Runner (1982) Hardware (1990) Tourist Trap (1979) Pin (1988) Magic (1978) Westworld (1973) Ex Machina (2014) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) The Terminator (1984)