Yamamoto - Story 6 (Lauren)

Something that really intrigued me in this section was the correlation between machines and humans. Throughout the entire book there is a constant inclination of the fact that machines have human-like capabilities. This is demonstrated by the machine nurses, for example: “she put her hands o the man’s shoulder and hug and gently rolled him onto the side of the bed closest to her” (192). Words like “gently” and human related words like “hands” give a human connotation to the machines. Although we like to separate humans and machines into two completely different categories, machines work very similarly to humans. They were, after all, created by humans. So there should undoubtedly be similarities between the two. There are many references to how machines are so much like humans: “I’d never seen a naked android before. Even the parts that would normally be hidden behind clothes were covered in fake skin, and she was even wearing normal women’s underwear […] right inside the hairline, there was a tiny green light” (212), however, there is also a constant reminder that they are not actually human, although they may exert the same mannerisms. The green light is a reminder that she is not a woman, but a machine. Not only does it remind the characters in the story, but it also reminds the reader. With all the humanlike descriptions, I tend to forget that they aren't actually humans. “As her experience increased, Shion’s manner of speaking gradually improved” (228). This is how humans are too. As they grow up, their speaking ability increases. “Human memories work the same way” (228). Machines willingly serving humans was unimaginable because it went against the history that is taught in that world, “even among humans, there were few people who would willingly be in service to another without getting paid” (192). There is also a constant parallel or connection back to humans and humanity: a constant comparison.