Part Human, Part Non-human

In "The Sociology of a Few Mundane Objects," Bruno Latour uses a number of examples to discuss the complexity and intertwined nature of networks. Instead of visualizing these networks as a simple hybrid occupying the space between humans and non-humans, Latour describes how social theories need to take into account the inter-dependence and negotiation of humans, non-humans, parts of humans, parts of non-humans, humans that perform non-human roles, and non-humans that perform human roles. He writes that "students of technology are never faced with people on the one hand and things on the other, they are faced with programs of action, sections of which are endowed to parts of humans, while other sections are entrusted to parts of non-humans."

The main example he uses to illustrate his point is the automatic groom. This program of action involves a complex network of relationships and roles--the usefulness of the door itself, the apparent inability of humans to close the door properly, the problems/difficulties of various door-closing technologies, the possibility of a groom malfunction, the anthropomorphic qualities ascribed to the groom, and the range of humans and non-humans that direct user to the door or museum. Obviously, the groom does not fit neatly into the human/non-human binary. In addition to these complexities, issues of morality and motivation also come into play. Could the groom be considered more moral than a human because it will always remember and be available to close the door? What about the groom's apparent "discrimination" against those who walk slowly or are carrying large packages?

In the film Moon, astronaut Sam Bell is nearing the end of his three-year assignment at a lunar space station owned by Lunar Industries. Sam's only companion on the station is a computer named Gerty. Throughout the course of the film, however, Sam discovers that he is actually one of a series of clones used to man the station--the real Sam Bell is actually still on Earth. With Gerty's help, two of the Sam clones work together to return to Earth and reveal the human cloning activities of Lunar Industries.

Moon Trailer

The network of relationships between the Sam clones and Gerty is incredibly complex. Gerty functions as Sam's assistant, carrying out traditionally "human" tasks. However, his functionality also relies on the cooperation of Sam and the communication Gerty has with Lunar Industries. Gerty's morality is complicated by his knowledge of the clones and the assistance he gives the Sam clones in rebelling against Lunar Industries. Throughout the film, Sam speaks to Gerty by name, as a human. Gerty's anthropomorphic qualities include his name, his voice (Kevin Spacey), and the smiley face that expresses his emotions on screen.

The network is made more complex by the presence of human clones, which have been delegated to perform the lunar tasks that humans are unable or unwilling to accomplish. The ways in which Lunar Industries creates these clones and embeds memories into their consciousness affects the way they interact with Gerty and the rest of the station. These clones think and behave like humans, but their humanity is ultimately called into question.