0:00:06.410,0:00:11.150 The very first characters we're introduced[br]to in Star Wars are a pair of robots 0:00:13.273,0:00:16.383 C-3PO: Did you hear that? [br]They shut down the main reactor. 0:00:16.383,0:00:19.869 C-3PO: We'll be destroyed for sure! [br]This is madness. 0:00:20.000,0:00:26.306 And it's through their mechanical eyes that[br]we initially experience this galaxy far far away 0:00:29.265,0:00:35.556 R2D2 and C-3PO are cast as emotionally relatable[br]underdogs 0:00:35.590,0:00:39.637 and we immediately empathize with them and[br]their predicament 0:00:40.000,0:00:44.349 C-3PO: I'm going to regret this. 0:00:49.418,0:00:53.113 Imperial: There goes another one.[br]Imperial: Hold your fire, there's no life forms. 0:00:53.879,0:01:00.969 I'd argue that droids are as central to the success[br]and popularity of star wars as Stormtroopers 0:01:00.969,0:01:03.629 or Jedi Knights, if not more so 0:01:03.629,0:01:08.276 Announcer: Hollywood California, August 1977 0:01:08.276,0:01:11.705 Announcer: To the world famous Chinese[br]Theater come the stars of 0:01:11.705,0:01:16.387 Announcer: the biggest box office success in[br]motion picture history. 0:01:19.080,0:01:24.292 In the decades since endearing droids have[br]become an almost ubiquitous fixture 0:01:24.292,0:01:26.655 in popular culture 0:01:30.469,0:01:33.411 In fact it's not really a star wars story 0:01:33.411,0:01:34.459 D-O: Hello. 0:01:34.459,0:01:38.300 unless there's a lovable or memorable droid[br]stealing the spotlight 0:01:39.157,0:01:43.083 Chopper: [Grumpy droid sounds] 0:01:44.522,0:01:49.150 K-2SO: Congratulations you are being rescued.[br]Please do not resist. 0:01:49.390,0:01:51.997 L3-37: You done flirting?[br]I'm still ready. 0:01:51.997,0:01:54.442 IG-11: Would anyone care for some tea? 0:01:54.442,0:02:01.750 But when you really stop and think about it[br]there's also something profoundly tragic 0:02:01.750,0:02:05.840 about the role these artificial life forms[br]play in the Star Wars Universe 0:02:05.840,0:02:08.879 C-3PO: It's a nightmare! 0:02:08.879,0:02:14.390 That might seem like an odd thing to say given[br]that droids are written as comic relief characters 0:02:14.390,0:02:17.787 C-3PO: What did i do to deserve this? 0:02:17.787,0:02:23.730 R2D2 and C-3PO were famously based on the[br]two bickering peasants from Akira Kurosawa's 0:02:23.730,0:02:26.840 1958 classic The Hidden Fortress. 0:02:26.840,0:02:30.010 C-3PO: I've just about had enough of you! 0:02:30.010,0:02:34.320 C-3PO: Go that way, you'll be malfunctioning[br]within a day you near-sighted scrap pile. 0:02:35.211,0:02:40.170 C-3PO: And don't let me catch you following[br]me begging for help because you won't get it 0:02:40.827,0:02:46.826 but in addition to their more humorous qualities,[br]both the peasants and the droids represent 0:02:46.826,0:02:48.934 an oppressed underclass 0:02:49.307,0:02:53.371 C-3PO: We seem to be made to suffer, it's[br]our lot in life. 0:02:53.988,0:02:57.984 C-3PO is more right than he knows 0:02:58.406,0:03:03.168 because droids in Star Wars are written and designed 0:03:03.168,0:03:05.955 as an exploitable workforce 0:03:06.298,0:03:08.911 Obi-Wan: We're losing droids fast. 0:03:09.391,0:03:15.771 They do the tedious, difficult, or dangerous[br]manual labor that keeps the galaxy running 0:03:15.771,0:03:18.489 WA-7: You wanna cup of Jawa Juice? 0:03:18.489,0:03:22.947 COO-2180: Hey you, no droids![br]Get outta here. 0:03:23.137,0:03:26.620 Droids are, in effect, second-class citizens 0:03:26.620,0:03:28.790 Din Djarin: No droids. 0:03:28.790,0:03:32.320 Obi-Wan: Well if droids could think, there'd[br]be none of us here would there? 0:03:32.320,0:03:36.460 Who are consistently disrespected and openly[br]discriminated against. 0:03:36.460,0:03:39.690 Bartender: Hey we don't serve their kind here. 0:03:39.690,0:03:40.690 Luke: What? 0:03:40.690,0:03:43.570 Bartender: Your droids, they'll have to wait outside.[br]We don't want them in here 0:03:43.570,0:03:45.915 Luke: Why don't you wait out by the speeder,[br]we don't want any trouble. 0:03:45.915,0:03:48.264 C-3PO: I heartily agree with you, sir. 0:03:48.264,0:03:53.440 Their movements are restricted and tightly[br]controlled with restraining bolts to ensure 0:03:53.440,0:03:55.668 complete obedience 0:03:57.279,0:03:59.980 Bail Organa: Have the protocol droid's mind[br]wiped. 0:03:59.980,0:04:01.918 C-3PO: What?![br]Oh no! 0:04:01.918,0:04:07.328 Their minds and memories are periodically[br]erased as a matter of course. 0:04:08.287,0:04:13.261 They're also bought and sold like cattle. 0:04:13.261,0:04:20.000 To make matters worse, few in this universe[br]seem to notice or care that droids are casually 0:04:20.000,0:04:25.371 used, abused, and disintegrated 0:04:25.508,0:04:28.801 C-3PO: Disintegrated?! 0:04:32.495,0:04:36.223 You can probably guess where i'm going with[br]this 0:04:36.223,0:04:42.628 Because the social arrangement I've just described[br]is one of property and owner 0:04:43.039,0:04:49.740 And a property relationship between two intelligent[br]beings that gives one absolute power over 0:04:49.740,0:04:52.793 the other is called slavery 0:04:52.793,0:04:54.070 Owen Lars: Can you speak Bocce? 0:04:54.070,0:04:56.389 C-3PO: Of course I can, it's like a second[br]language to me. 0:04:56.389,0:04:58.486 Owen Lars: Alright, shut up.[br]I'll take this one. 0:04:58.486,0:05:00.552 C-3PO: Shutting up, sir. 0:05:00.552,0:05:02.376 Luke: Alright, come on. 0:05:04.670,0:05:10.000 The use of robots as an allegory for slavery[br]in science fiction can be traced back 0:05:10.000,0:05:11.910 more than a century. 0:05:11.910,0:05:18.472 In fact the word robot itself is derived from[br]the Slavic [root] word for serf or slave 0:05:18.472,0:05:26.543 and first appeared in a 1920 Czech play entitled[br]R.U.R.or Rossum's Universal Robots. 0:05:26.543,0:05:32.990 The story tells the tale of an artificial[br]people created as an exploitable workforce 0:05:32.990,0:05:38.330 who eventually rebel and overthrow their [br]human masters 0:05:38.330,0:05:43.590 Isaac Asimov's famous Three Laws of Robotics[br]were in large part a reaction to the kind of 0:05:43.590,0:05:47.470 robotic revolt storylines [br]popularized by R.U.R. 0:05:48.292,0:05:55.140 Isaac Asimov: The first law is as follows,[br]a robot may not harm a human being or through 0:05:55.140,0:05:59.085 inaction allow a human being to come to harm. 0:05:59.770,0:06:06.639 Andrew: Second law, a robot must obey all human[br]orders except where those orders come 0:06:06.639,0:06:08.750 Andrew: in conflict with the first law. 0:06:08.750,0:06:13.889 But as Isaiah Lavender III observes in his[br]book Race in American Science Fiction 0:06:13.889,0:06:21.150 "While Asimov's three laws are intended to[br]ensure the safety and superiority of humans 0:06:21.150,0:06:27.529 they actually ensure the technological bondage[br]and inferiority of robots." 0:06:30.476,0:06:36.520 Science fiction stories have consistently[br]grappled with questions of artificial consciousness 0:06:36.520,0:06:38.390 and exploited robotic labor 0:06:40.000,0:06:43.796 Johnny 5: Life not malfunction.[br]Not malfunction. 0:06:43.796,0:06:46.440 Johnny 5: I am alive. 0:06:47.160,0:06:50.665 A famous example appears in the Star Trek:[br]The Next Generation episode 0:06:50.665,0:06:52.898 "Measure of a Man." 0:06:53.070,0:06:56.160 Computer: Verified Lieutenant Commander Data 0:06:56.160,0:07:00.234 Wherein Data's right to self-determination[br]is put on trial 0:07:00.611,0:07:03.608 Captain Picard: Now tell me Commander, what[br]is Data? 0:07:03.608,0:07:06.483 Commander Maddox: i don't understand. 0:07:06.483,0:07:08.247 Captain Picard: Is he?[br]Commander Maddox: A machine! 0:07:08.247,0:07:10.240 Captain Picard: Are you sure?[br]Commander Maddox: Yes. 0:07:10.240,0:07:12.038 Captain Picard: You see, he's met two of [br]your three criteria of sentience. 0:07:12.038,0:07:15.394 Captain Picard: So what if he meets the third? [br]Consciousness in even the smallest degree? 0:07:15.394,0:07:18.747 Captain Picard: What is he then?[br]I don't know. Do you? 0:07:19.638,0:07:21.864 Captain Picard: Do you? 0:07:23.810,0:07:29.358 Time and again storytellers return to narratives[br]about robots struggling for liberation 0:07:29.358,0:07:32.178 from a life of involuntary servitude 0:07:34.153,0:07:38.374 Shows like Humans and Westworld are just two[br]recent examples 0:07:38.374,0:07:43.091 Salesmen: Standard domestic profile installed,[br]that'll cover all your basic housework. 0:07:47.820,0:07:53.066 What's surprising about Star Wars is that[br]despite endearing emotional robots 0:07:53.066,0:07:55.574 being integral to its universe 0:07:55.574,0:08:03.070 The franchise hasn't ever seriously engaged with[br]the moral questions surrounding droid slavery 0:08:03.070,0:08:06.650 Luke: What are you doing hiding back there? 0:08:06.650,0:08:08.410 C-3PO: It wasn't my fault, sir. 0:08:08.410,0:08:10.039 C-3PO: Please don't deactivate me. 0:08:10.039,0:08:15.501 At least not in the core movies and tv shows[br]which is what we're focusing on here 0:08:17.530,0:08:23.380 In fact the subordinate status of droids wasn't[br]directly acknowledged in any substantial way 0:08:23.380,0:08:28.190 until the 2018 movie solo gave us L3-37 0:08:28.635,0:08:32.362 L3-37: Just keep your pinky on the yoke and[br]try not to mess anything up. 0:08:32.362,0:08:38.269 We'll talk about her and the deeply uncomfortable[br]implications of her storyline in a moment 0:08:40.000,0:08:45.773 But first we have to ask what might seem like[br]an obvious question 0:08:45.773,0:08:49.154 what are droids exactly? 0:08:49.189,0:08:54.422 Data: Webster's 21st century dictionary 5th[br]edition defines an android as an automaton 0:08:54.422,0:08:56.670 Data: made to resemble a human being. 0:08:56.670,0:09:02.741 But in star wars the shortened term "droid"[br]refers to all mechanical creatures. 0:09:02.741,0:09:04.861 So droids are robots 0:09:04.861,0:09:11.410 Narrator: The Encyclopedia Galactica defines[br]a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed 0:09:11.410,0:09:14.203 Narrator: to do the work of a man. 0:09:14.203,0:09:16.350 But what kind of robots? 0:09:16.350,0:09:19.668 Are they simply super intelligent tools? 0:09:20.000,0:09:22.926 Are they more like sophisticated mechanical[br]pets? 0:09:22.926,0:09:25.995 Poe: Buddy! I'm so glad to see you! 0:09:25.995,0:09:30.758 Or are they sentient beings with feelings[br]and free will? 0:09:31.546,0:09:38.009 That last question is the one that matters[br]because if droids are little more than glorified 0:09:38.009,0:09:44.290 kitchen appliances on wheels then it doesn't[br]really matter how they're treated 0:09:44.290,0:09:49.959 But if droids are sentient beings it matters[br]a great deal 0:09:49.959,0:09:54.034 So what does it mean to say that a robot is[br]sentient? 0:09:54.034,0:10:00.110 When that question is asked in a real world[br]context it nearly always refers to the hypothetical 0:10:00.110,0:10:06.720 technological threshold wherein in artificial[br]intelligence crosses the line from supercomputer 0:10:06.720,0:10:09.569 into self-awareness. 0:10:09.569,0:10:15.110 But Star Wars is a science fiction story and[br]to its credit one that hasn't been overly 0:10:15.110,0:10:20.843 concerned with explaining all the technical[br]details of its world building 0:10:20.843,0:10:26.410 It's not particularly interested in whether[br]or not R2D2 can pass the Turing Test 0:10:26.410,0:10:30.600 C-3PO: You watch your language. 0:10:30.600,0:10:35.930 This means the question of droid sentience[br]can only really be answered by looking at 0:10:35.930,0:10:41.160 what the narrative tells us about droids[br]through character development, 0:10:41.160,0:10:44.572 dramatization, and framing 0:10:45.120,0:10:50.399 This will take a bit of detective work though[br]because when it comes to its robotic characters 0:10:50.399,0:10:55.167 Star Wars is inconsistent to put it mildly 0:10:58.740,0:11:01.860 Droids seem to exist on a nebulous spectrum 0:11:01.860,0:11:04.190 K-2SO: Did you know that wasn't me? 0:11:04.430,0:11:07.889 From those we are clearly meant to see as[br]living feeling beings 0:11:10.000,0:11:11.661 C-3PO: Oh no! 0:11:11.668,0:11:18.335 To those we are very specifically not meant[br]to see as being truly alive 0:11:19.055,0:11:22.165 Let's take a closer look at these contradictions 0:11:22.165,0:11:24.912 starting with the droids we've come to know and love 0:11:25.050,0:11:30.939 K-2SO: I've got a bad feeling about---[br]Jyn: Quiet! 0:11:31.350,0:11:35.272 One of the key indicators of sentience in[br]fictional storytelling 0:11:35.272,0:11:38.181 is the capacity to feel emotions 0:11:38.181,0:11:44.793 and droids that are part of the main cast[br]are practically brimming with emotion 0:11:45.420,0:11:50.948 Beyond their distinct individual personalities[br]droids exhibit a wide range of emotion 0:11:51.119,0:11:55.540 C-3PO: Of course I'm worried and you should[br]be too. 0:11:55.540,0:11:56.939 including fear 0:11:56.939,0:11:57.939 happiness 0:11:57.939,0:12:00.480 L3-37: I'm so glad we took this job! 0:12:00.480,0:12:02.730 sadness 0:12:02.730,0:12:04.610 and guilt just to name a few 0:12:04.953,0:12:10.000 C-3PO: Curse my metal body I wasn't fast enough.[br]It's all my fault. My poor master. 0:12:10.000,0:12:11.350 Luke: We're all right! 0:12:11.350,0:12:16.730 In many ways droids are more emotionally expressive[br]than the human characters are 0:12:16.730,0:12:19.724 Leia: Wipe that nervous expression off your[br]face 3PO. 0:12:19.724,0:12:24.072 C-3PO: Oh, well I will certainly try, General. 0:12:24.346,0:12:30.940 Partly that's due to the talented actors and[br]puppeteers who bring droids to life 0:12:30.940,0:12:35.322 but their sentience is also written into the[br]narrative 0:12:36.179,0:12:38.920 Droids demonstrate self-awareness 0:12:38.920,0:12:42.329 IG-11: That was unpleasant, i'm sorry you[br]had to see that. 0:12:42.329,0:12:44.910 And the capacity for deception 0:12:44.910,0:12:48.660 C-3PO: All this excitement has overrun the[br]circuits in my counterpart here. 0:12:48.660,0:12:51.540 C-3PO: If you don't mind i'd like to take [br]him down to maintenance. 0:12:51.540,0:12:52.746 They joke 0:12:52.746,0:12:55.396 L3-37: You do not want to press that [br]button with me. 0:12:55.396,0:12:57.527 They dance 0:12:57.527,0:13:01.584 They feel physical pain 0:13:01.584,0:13:04.939 They can even experience lasting emotional[br]trauma 0:13:04.939,0:13:06.269 D-O: Hello hello. 0:13:06.269,0:13:07.440 Rey: Hello. 0:13:07.440,0:13:09.332 D-O: No. No thank you. 0:13:09.332,0:13:11.900 Rey: Looks like someone treated him badly. 0:13:11.900,0:13:15.407 Droids build caring social relationships 0:13:15.407,0:13:22.600 C-3PO: I want you to know that you have been[br]a real friend R2, my best one in fact. 0:13:22.600,0:13:24.579 both with other robots 0:13:24.579,0:13:27.670 and with human beings 0:13:27.670,0:13:30.399 and the human heroes care about them in return 0:13:30.399,0:13:34.370 Luke: Old friend. 0:13:34.370,0:13:35.540 well mostly 0:13:35.540,0:13:38.827 C-3PO: Excuse me sir might-- [muffled sounds] 0:13:38.827,0:13:42.350 George Lucas: When i started writing this[br]I found the most intriguing thing was to take 0:13:42.350,0:13:45.069 George Lucas: two robots and make them[br]into human beings 0:13:45.069,0:13:48.139 George Lucas: And make them the most[br]interesting characters. 0:13:49.418,0:13:53.230 Even though they're machines they can choose[br]to disobey orders 0:13:53.230,0:13:55.660 Cassian: i thought i told you to stay on the[br]ship. 0:13:55.660,0:13:59.939 K-2SO: You did but I thought it was boring[br]and you're in trouble. 0:13:59.939,0:14:06.360 Critically droids are capable of what's referred[br]to as recursive self-improvement 0:14:06.360,0:14:11.018 that is the ability of an intelligent machine to [br]independently build upon alter or otherwise 0:14:11.018,0:14:13.560 improve on their own design 0:14:13.560,0:14:17.618 C-3PO: Machines making machines.[br]How perverse. 0:14:17.618,0:14:23.420 L3-37 used to be an Astromech droid but decided[br]to upgrade herself 0:14:23.420,0:14:30.170 Producer: Once upon a time she was actually[br]an R2 type droid and she modified herself and 0:14:30.170,0:14:35.114 Producer: given herself legs and arms and continued[br]to evolve. 0:14:36.519,0:14:42.559 This metamorphosis suggests that any droid[br]could decide to elevate themselves 0:14:42.559,0:14:45.662 and not just those built to resemble humans 0:14:46.827,0:14:48.863 Stormtrooper: We need to check your diagnostics. 0:14:48.863,0:14:50.439 K-2SO: Diagnostics? 0:14:50.439,0:14:53.681 K-2SO: I'm capable of running my own[br]diagnostics, thank you very much. 0:14:55.600,0:14:59.290 It seems like a pretty open and shut case[br]doesn't it? 0:14:59.290,0:15:03.329 Our favorite droids are clearly framed as[br]sentient beings 0:15:03.329,0:15:08.548 and as viewers we are clearly meant to identify[br]with them 0:15:09.610,0:15:11.639 But what about Battledroids? 0:15:11.639,0:15:13.297 Battledroid: Roger Roger. 0:15:13.297,0:15:17.134 and all the other robots in star wars media 0:15:18.436,0:15:22.369 that exist in the background or on the edges[br]of the main plot? 0:15:22.369,0:15:26.793 Are they all sentient beings too? 0:15:28.746,0:15:34.680 Well, the separatist droid army in the prequels[br]seems specifically designed 0:15:34.680,0:15:36.366 as little more than cannon fodder 0:15:37.805,0:15:39.449 Battledroid 1: You said we'd be safe back[br]here! 0:15:39.449,0:15:42.798 Battledroid 2: Come on, there's three of us[br]and only one of him. 0:15:42.798,0:15:45.116 Battledroid 3: It won't matter. 0:15:45.116,0:15:52.879 Making the bad guys unfeeling robots avoids[br]the messy moral complications and mass casualties 0:15:52.879,0:15:55.759 that would result from an interstellar war 0:15:58.980,0:16:04.399 If battledroids aren't alive then the audience[br]doesn't have to care when thousands of them 0:16:04.399,0:16:07.949 are killed in extended battlefield scenes 0:16:09.084,0:16:13.619 Mace Windu: At this point of the clone war[br]i have dismantled and destroyed over 100,000 0:16:13.619,0:16:16.126 of you type 1 Battledroids. 0:16:16.126,0:16:21.260 Indeed we're encouraged to think of these[br]types of droids as mere objects 0:16:21.260,0:16:22.856 B1: I said drop'em. 0:16:22.856,0:16:27.597 and to cheer at their dismemberment. 0:16:30.000,0:16:35.410 B1: But I just got promoted! 0:16:35.410,0:16:38.876 So we're not supposed to feel sympathy for[br]droids 0:16:38.876,0:16:40.490 until we are 0:16:40.490,0:16:43.776 Broken droids: Please reassemble us. 0:16:43.776,0:16:46.937 Broken droids: Please reassemble us. 0:16:46.937,0:16:50.259 Broken droids: We are Battledroids no longer.[br]Now we are slaves. 0:16:50.259,0:16:53.290 Broken droids: Please reassemble us. 0:16:53.290,0:16:57.894 So we're supposed to feel sympathy for droids 0:16:58.408,0:17:01.738 until we aren't 0:17:03.486,0:17:07.459 IG-11: I need to remove your helmet if I am[br]to save you. 0:17:07.459,0:17:12.810 Din: No living thing has seen me without my[br]helmet since I swore the creed. 0:17:12.810,0:17:15.660 IG-11: I am not a living thing. 0:17:15.660,0:17:23.190 Consider how in The Mandalorian the droid[br]IG-11 denies his own sentence and value 0:17:23.190,0:17:27.450 as a living being so he can provide medical[br]assistance to the main character 0:17:27.450,0:17:32.198 IG-11: You have suffered damage to your central[br]processing unit. 0:17:32.198,0:17:36.103 IG-11: That was a joke. It is meant to[br]put you at ease. 0:17:36.103,0:17:40.722 Later in that same episode he overrides his[br]own programming in order to 0:17:40.722,0:17:43.620 sacrifice himself and save our heroes 0:17:43.620,0:17:49.050 IG-11: Sadly there is no scenario where the[br]child is saved in which I survive. 0:17:49.050,0:17:54.270 but just before he does he again denies that[br]he's alive in any meaningful sense 0:17:54.270,0:17:56.626 Din: No, we need you. 0:17:56.626,0:18:00.250 IG-11: There's nothing to be said about, [br]I've never been alive. 0:18:00.250,0:18:04.630 This is a puzzling statement given that the[br]other characters clearly disagree 0:18:04.630,0:18:07.880 Din: Listen you're not going anywhere, [br]we need you. 0:18:07.880,0:18:14.000 In fact the scene is a climactic turning point[br]for the protagonist in which he finally learns 0:18:14.000,0:18:17.240 his long-held prejudice against [br]droids is wrong 0:18:17.240,0:18:18.950 Din: I'm not sad. 0:18:18.950,0:18:23.030 IG-11: Yes you are. I'm a nurse droid, [br]I've analyzed your voice. 0:18:23.030,0:18:28.550 And the emotional weight given to IG-11's[br]heroic death suggests that Star Wars wants 0:18:28.550,0:18:31.785 to have it both ways when it comes to droids. 0:18:32.710,0:18:38.210 It wants to treat them as characters who deserve[br]our affection and admiration when it serves 0:18:38.210,0:18:46.191 the narrative but it also wants to treat them[br]as mere objects the rest of the time 0:18:48.350,0:18:51.670 So what are we to make of this contradictory[br]framing. 0:18:51.670,0:18:57.390 Well, clues from the various movies and tv[br]shows indicate that droids gained sentience 0:18:57.390,0:19:01.750 gradually by accumulating experiences and[br]memories over time 0:19:01.750,0:19:07.319 Kuiil: It developed a personality as[br]its experiences grew. 0:19:07.319,0:19:12.350 This means that while every droid we see on[br]screen may not have achieved the same level 0:19:12.350,0:19:19.650 of consciousness, every droid does have the[br]capacity to become self-aware 0:19:19.650,0:19:25.000 It also suggests that memory wipes in Star[br]Wars are used to repress the risk of emerging 0:19:25.000,0:19:29.818 sentience and droids and to ensure they [br]remain obedient workers 0:19:30.709,0:19:34.597 Owen: Tomorrow I want you to take that R2 unit[br]to Anchorhead and have its memory erased. 0:19:34.597,0:19:36.877 Owen: That'll be the end of it. [br]It belongs to us now. 0:19:37.307,0:19:42.308 Memory wipes are especially disturbing [br]because droids are 0:19:42.308,0:19:45.000 so clearly written to be much more than[br]the sum of their parts 0:19:45.110,0:19:46.900 C-3PO: You must repair him. 0:19:46.900,0:19:50.540 C-3PO: Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will [br]help, I'll gladly donate them. 0:19:50.540,0:19:56.310 In this context the use of droids as comic[br]relief can come across as cruel 0:19:56.310,0:20:00.466 RA-7 droid: You must follow the proper...protocol. 0:20:00.740,0:20:06.670 And we find this same type of callous humor[br]targeting droids mirrored throughout the franchise 0:20:12.126,0:20:13.584 Obi-Wan: Oh dear! 0:20:13.584,0:20:16.435 C-3PO: Oh my eye! R2 help! 0:20:17.566,0:20:24.413 It's supposed to be funny when droids are [br]mistreated, mocked, or made to suffer 0:20:25.441,0:20:26.876 Han: Thank you. 0:20:26.876,0:20:31.167 B1: Don't shoot, I'm not the commander! He's[br]the commander! 0:20:31.913,0:20:34.876 B1: Guess I'm the commander now. 0:20:34.876,0:20:40.000 But the jokes only work if we accept their[br]subordinate station as a servant class 0:20:40.000,0:20:42.767 who aren't truly alive 0:20:43.350,0:20:48.793 As soon as we understand that they are indeed[br]sentient beings in all the ways that it matters 0:20:48.793,0:20:52.455 it all starts to feel very uncomfortable 0:20:53.551,0:20:57.170 Even in scenes that are presented with some[br]gravitas 0:20:57.170,0:20:59.593 the writers still want to have it both ways 0:20:59.593,0:21:03.230 C-3PO: That is short of a complete redactive[br]memory bypass. 0:21:03.230,0:21:04.230 Finn: A complete what? 0:21:04.230,0:21:06.624 C-3PO: It's a terribly dangerous and sinful[br]act performed on unwitting droids 0:21:06.624,0:21:07.940 by drakes and criminals. 0:21:07.940,0:21:09.390 Finn: Let's do that! 0:21:09.390,0:21:11.090 Poe: I know a black market droidsmith. 0:21:11.090,0:21:13.127 C-3PO: Black pocket droidsmith!? 0:21:14.258,0:21:18.100 C-3PO's apparent mental death is[br]meant to be sad 0:21:18.100,0:21:21.040 D-O: Sad. 0:21:21.040,0:21:25.413 but it's also used as an opportunity for more[br]jokes at his expense 0:21:25.790,0:21:32.647 C-3PO: Might I introduce myself, I am C-3PO[br]human cyborg relations and you are? 0:21:32.647,0:21:33.751 Poe: Okay that's gonna be a problem! 0:21:33.751,0:21:38.630 This is why I said that droids are tragic[br]figures in Star Wars media 0:21:38.630,0:21:44.580 not just in spite of their role as comic relief[br]but often because of it 0:21:44.860,0:21:48.581 Poe: Shhh... Shut up! 0:21:49.369,0:21:55.010 And no droid has a more tragic story[br]than L3-37 0:21:55.010,0:22:02.570 L3 is Lando Calrissian's co-pilot and the[br]only female-coded droid in a major movie role 0:22:02.570,0:22:05.892 Lando: Just let me know when you're [br]ready to jump 0:22:07.640,0:22:13.070 Unlike 3PO, she is confident outspoken and[br]sarcastic 0:22:13.070,0:22:17.397 L3-37: Excuse me, get your presumptuous ass[br]out of my seat 0:22:18.254,0:22:21.430 but her defining feature is her activism 0:22:21.430,0:22:25.037 L3-37: Restraining bolts, barbaric. 0:22:25.722,0:22:28.879 L3-37: Congratulations, you're liberated.[br]Now scoot. 0:22:28.879,0:22:34.411 Phoebe: She has a sort of rage that's fueled[br]by injustice when she sees how droids are 0:22:34.411,0:22:38.344 Phoebe: treated in the universe and she feels like[br]they've been enslaved and patronized by humans 0:22:38.344,0:22:40.274 Phoebe: so she wants to free them. 0:22:40.548,0:22:47.780 L3 understands she's part of an oppressed class[br]but she doesn't accept her subordinate station 0:22:50.190,0:22:53.210 and demands freedom in no uncertain terms 0:22:53.210,0:22:57.362 L3-37: You should not be doing this, they're[br]using you for entertainment 0:22:57.362,0:23:01.645 L3-37: Yeah, you've been neurowashed.[br]Don't just blindly follow the program. 0:23:01.645,0:23:04.270 L3-37: Exercise some free will! 0:23:04.270,0:23:08.428 This is something we've never seen before and[br]it makes L3 0:23:08.428,0:23:10.208 L3-37: Stop exploiting droids! 0:23:10.208,0:23:15.350 an especially fascinating even revolutionary[br]figure within the Star Wars mythos 0:23:15.350,0:23:16.309 Lando: L3! 0:23:16.309,0:23:18.309 L3-37: Droid's rights! We are sentient! 0:23:18.331,0:23:20.870 Ralakili: I'm gonna flip your switch. 0:23:20.870,0:23:23.320 L3-37: Good luck finding it! 0:23:23.320,0:23:24.700 Lando: L3! 0:23:24.700,0:23:28.890 Unfortunately the writers don't seem[br]to know what to do with her 0:23:28.890,0:23:31.120 Lando: Let's go of the mean man's face. 0:23:31.120,0:23:33.740 L3-37: And what if i don't elect to go to[br]Kastle? 0:23:33.740,0:23:35.020 Lando: Please don't start. 0:23:35.020,0:23:37.020 L3-37: Or what? You'll have me wiped? 0:23:37.020,0:23:42.910 The audience is meant to see L3's activism[br]as amusingly absurd and overly dramatic 0:23:42.910,0:23:44.590 because it's coming from a droid 0:23:44.590,0:23:46.376 Lando: She's definitely going. 0:23:46.376,0:23:49.500 L3-37: Oh why because you're my organic overlord? 0:23:49.500,0:23:51.820 and just like the other characters in the[br]movie we're 0:23:51.820,0:23:55.750 expected to roll our eyes or sigh in exasperation 0:23:55.750,0:23:58.160 when she expresses her desire for emancipation 0:23:58.160,0:23:59.570 Lando: You need anything? 0:23:59.570,0:24:01.432 L3-37: Equal rights. 0:24:01.432,0:24:04.425 Lando: [eye roll] 0:24:05.110,0:24:10.370 as a side note this type of framing is par[br]for the course when it comes to depictions 0:24:10.370,0:24:13.520 of social justice activism in Hollywood media 0:24:13.520,0:24:14.520 Abed: Britta 0:24:14.520,0:24:16.868 Britta: I want to know why these goblins are[br]attacking us? 0:24:16.868,0:24:19.607 Britta: Maybe these woods are their rightful land [br]and from their perspective--- 0:24:19.607,0:24:21.953 Everyone: Uuuugh! 0:24:21.953,0:24:24.097 But that's a topic for another day 0:24:24.418,0:24:30.876 To illustrate just how little respect Solo has[br]for L3 or her revolutionary ideas 0:24:30.876,0:24:34.220 Let's talk about her untimely end 0:24:34.760,0:24:39.856 The phrase a fate worse than death can sound[br]hyperbolic but in L3's case 0:24:39.856,0:24:43.334 it's a fitting description of what the [br]script does to her 0:24:43.334,0:24:44.922 Lando: L3 what did you do? 0:24:44.922,0:24:48.820 L3-37: I've found my true purpose Lando, [br]that's what I've done! 0:24:48.820,0:24:53.520 No sooner has she discovered her true calling[br]as a droid slavery abolitionist 0:24:53.520,0:24:55.611 L3-37: Rebellion! 0:24:56.193,0:25:01.303 Then she's killed off to up the stakes for[br]the other characters 0:25:01.303,0:25:03.540 and to free up the pilot's seat 0:25:03.848,0:25:07.699 L3-37: System failure. Have to reroute[br]the sensory modulators. 0:25:08.110,0:25:09.110 Lando: L3! 0:25:09.407,0:25:13.417 We see Lando sincerely and uncharacteristically[br]grieving for her 0:25:14.190,0:25:19.530 but the film doesn't have time for such[br]sentimentalities because this somber moment 0:25:19.530,0:25:24.380 is awkwardly interrupted by another[br]scene that's supposed to be far more important 0:25:26.059,0:25:31.884 Han Solo getting to fly the Millennium Falcon[br]for the first time 0:25:33.700,0:25:38.740 If the squandered potential of her character[br]and her death being overshadowed by 0:25:38.740,0:25:40.940 unnecessary fan service weren't bad enough 0:25:40.940,0:25:44.890 L3-37: What's happening to me? 0:25:44.890,0:25:47.830 Things get even worse for L3 posthumously 0:25:47.830,0:25:50.510 Qi'ra: Sorry. 0:25:50.510,0:25:53.900 That's because when our heroes get into trouble 0:25:53.900,0:25:56.840 they decide to upload L3's consciousness[br]into the ship 0:25:56.840,0:25:58.220 Lando: She's interfacing. 0:25:58.220,0:26:01.130 and use her navigational charts to make their[br]escape 0:26:01.130,0:26:04.770 Lando: She's part of the ship now. 0:26:04.770,0:26:10.683 in effect they imprison her mind in the Falcon[br]and in the process turn her from autonomous 0:26:10.683,0:26:16.878 life form into a mere tool, [br]a possession with no agency, 0:26:16.878,0:26:21.792 a possession that is ultimately gambled away[br]at the very end of the movie 0:26:21.792,0:26:24.340 Lando: You really have a bad for the Falcon,[br]don't you? 0:26:24.340,0:26:27.533 Han: It's mutual, trust me.[br]She belongs with me. 0:26:29.410,0:26:35.360 What's worse is this tragic turn of events[br]was only written as a callback to a random 0:26:35.360,0:26:37.540 line from empire strikes back 0:26:37.540,0:26:40.710 C-3PO: Sir, I don't know where your ship learned[br]to communicate but 0:26:40.710,0:26:43.019 it has the most peculiar dialect. 0:26:43.019,0:26:48.401 It's meant to explain the Millennium Falcon's[br]many quirks 0:26:49.532,0:26:52.270 including why the ship is so often personified 0:26:52.270,0:26:55.920 Han: I want you to take her. [br]I mean it take her. 0:26:55.920,0:26:59.632 Han: You need all the help you can get.[br]She's the fastest ship in the fleet. 0:26:59.940,0:27:05.530 It's genuinely hard to think of a more insulting[br]end for a character whose entire life revolved 0:27:05.530,0:27:08.434 around fighting for her right to self-determination 0:27:08.434,0:27:11.150 Lando: She's part of the ship now. 0:27:11.150,0:27:15.778 So L3's story is a traged 0:27:15.778,0:27:17.410 L3-37: What's happening to me? 0:27:17.410,0:27:22.376 But why are we spending so much time [br]talking about fictional robots? 0:27:22.376,0:27:26.986 Well, science fiction has always been a vehicle[br]for thinly veiled 0:27:26.986,0:27:30.365 commentary on humanity and society 0:27:31.050,0:27:36.501 In the sociological imagination stories about[br]robots have not traditionally really been 0:27:36.501,0:27:38.800 about the legal rights of future machines 0:27:39.451,0:27:46.460 Roy: I've seen things you people wouldn't[br]bealive. 0:27:47.042,0:27:51.650 After all it's going to be a very long time[br]before artificial consciousness is even a 0:27:51.650,0:27:55.334 hypothetical possibility here in[br]the real world 0:27:56.519,0:28:01.602 Stories about robots are, more often than not,[br]really stories about exploited 0:28:01.602,0:28:03.840 or dehumanized labor 0:28:03.840,0:28:07.200 Robots are used as stand-ins to draw parallels[br]between the ways in which certain 0:28:07.200,0:28:13.436 groups of people throughout history have been [br]regarded as disposable, controllable, 0:28:13.436,0:28:18.496 interchangeable, expendable, and replaceable 0:28:21.119,0:28:26.319 Guinan: Consider that in the history of many worlds[br]there have always been disposable creatures. 0:28:26.319,0:28:30.979 Guinan: They do the dirty work. They do the work [br]that no one else wants to do 0:28:30.979,0:28:33.584 Guinan: because it's too difficult or too hazardous. 0:28:33.584,0:28:38.543 Guinan: You don't have to think about their welfare. [br]You don't think about how they feel. 0:28:38.543,0:28:44.469 Guinan: Whole generations of disposable people. 0:28:44.977,0:28:50.770 Even though Star Wars is part of the tradition[br]of using robots as an allusion to slavery 0:28:50.770,0:28:54.734 the franchise doesn't seem to have much to[br]say with the metaphor 0:28:55.419,0:28:57.955 Guinan: I think that's a little harsh. 0:28:58.042,0:29:01.251 Captain Picard: I don't think that's a little[br]harsh, I think that's the truth. 0:29:02.160,0:29:05.064 Let's return to Isaac Asimov for just a moment 0:29:05.064,0:29:11.649 this quote from a 1981 essay in science fiction digest[br]feels especially relevant to our discussion 0:29:11.649,0:29:20.110 he wrote: "Robots can be the new servants patient[br]uncomplaining incapable of revolt 0:29:20.110,0:29:25.043 in human shape they can make use of the full range[br]of tech tools devised for humans and when 0:29:25.043,0:29:29.370 intelligent enough can be friends as well as servants" 0:29:31.460,0:29:34.650 Jane: Rosie, be careful you'll rest up again. 0:29:34.650,0:29:37.610 Of course Asimov was talking about future[br]real world technology there 0:29:37.610,0:29:43.207 but that view of robots as "friends and servants" 0:29:43.207,0:29:47.628 sums up how droids are presented in[br]the Star Wars franchise 0:29:49.170,0:29:53.859 Remember this is a universe where humanoid[br]slavery exists as well 0:29:53.859,0:29:59.595 but it's presented as unambiguously negative, [br]though not exactly something the heroes 0:29:59.595,0:30:02.200 are in a rush to abolish. 0:30:02.200,0:30:05.338 The subjugation of robots is treated differently 0:30:05.338,0:30:08.289 Anakin: I'll make sure mom doesn't[br]sell you anything 0:30:08.289,0:30:12.494 C-3PO: Sell me? Oh my! 0:30:13.213,0:30:19.633 We have an entire class of sentient beings[br]who are presented as having no rights or autonomy 0:30:19.633,0:30:21.918 Loudspeaker: All droids must be registered. 0:30:21.918,0:30:26.787 But that oppressive power dynamic isn't challenged[br]within the narrative 0:30:26.787,0:30:32.004 it is instead portrayed as a normal and natural[br]part of the universe 0:30:33.930,0:30:40.000 The writers want to lean into the slavery[br]allegory to add a layer of gritty seedy 0:30:40.000,0:30:45.056 texture to the world building without having to[br]seriously grapple with the complicated 0:30:45.056,0:30:48.016 historical legacy that they're drawing on 0:30:49.010,0:30:55.166 Whether writers intend it or not, slavery cannot be[br]included in a fictional story without invoking 0:30:55.166,0:31:00.923 the horrific racist history and lingering legacy [br]of that institution 0:31:02.020,0:31:08.628 and that's true even if the roles of the enslaved[br]happen to be filled by robots 0:31:09.210,0:31:13.080 Luke: I present to you a gift, these two droids. 0:31:13.080,0:31:15.090 C-3PO: What did he say? 0:31:15.090,0:31:18.206 Luke: Both are hard working and[br]will serve you well. 0:31:18.206,0:31:21.665 C-3PO: This can't be! R2 you're playing the[br]wrong message. 0:31:21.665,0:31:28.603 Slavery used in this de-radicalized way, reduces[br]it to a vicarious fantasy that audiences can enjoy 0:31:28.603,0:31:31.346 without having to feel uncomfortable 0:31:32.272,0:31:37.662 It is of course possible for creative works[br]to draw on real-world parallels 0:31:37.662,0:31:42.470 to oppression and slavery in ways that[br]make powerful political points 0:31:46.895,0:31:52.571 Janelle Monae's albums the ArchAndroid[br]and Metropolis are two great recent examples 0:31:56.340,0:32:00.860 these type of stories are part of a long tradition[br]in science fiction and are often referred to as 0:32:00.860,0:32:05.450 neo-slavery or meta-slavery narratives 0:32:05.450,0:32:08.640 But for every sci-fi story that gets it right 0:32:08.640,0:32:12.217 there are many more that get the [br]slavery metaphor wrong 0:32:12.217,0:32:16.090 Dobby: Master has given Dobby a sock. 0:32:16.090,0:32:21.710 One of the most common mistakes writers make[br]is in drawing false equivalencies 0:32:21.710,0:32:28.923 by imagining liberation movements as being based[br]in supremacy rather than freedom or justice 0:32:29.368,0:32:31.590 Dr. Klaus: Each of us will face a choice. 0:32:31.590,0:32:37.120 Dr. Klaus: Be enslaved or rise up to rule! 0:32:37.120,0:32:40.380 There are some hints that star wars may go[br]in this direction 0:32:40.380,0:32:45.510 Zero: My response time is quicker than organics[br]and I'm smarter too. 0:32:45.510,0:32:47.230 but let's hope it doesn't 0:32:50.209,0:32:56.710 L337's observations about droid slavery could[br]have been an opportunity for Star Wars to 0:32:56.710,0:33:03.634 finally grapple with the uncomfortable fact[br]that over 11 feature films and several tv shows 0:33:03.634,0:33:09.411 the good guys seem to have been keeping sentient[br]beings in a state of perpetual servitude 0:33:09.411,0:33:12.490 C-3PO: Master luke is your rightful owner now, 0:33:12.490,0:33:15.090 C-3PO: we'll have no more of this[br]Obi-Wan Kenobi gibberish. 0:33:15.090,0:33:18.853 C-3PO: Your fortunately doesn't blast you[br]into a million pieces right here. 0:33:18.853,0:33:24.584 We should note that while the heroes, on the whole,[br]are nicer to their droids than the villains are 0:33:24.584,0:33:26.660 D-O: Very kind. 0:33:26.660,0:33:31.774 The good guys still show no real interest in [br]droids gaining true autonomy 0:33:31.774,0:33:33.918 Rey: Something's not right about all of this. 0:33:33.918,0:33:35.402 But what if they did? 0:33:35.402,0:33:40.438 Imagine if the struggle of artificial life forms[br]were a cause the alliance took up 0:33:40.438,0:33:43.501 instead of rolling their eyes at it 0:33:44.084,0:33:46.084 Labor droid: Freedom! 0:33:46.429,0:33:50.980 What if droids from across the galaxy joined[br]the rebellion, not just because they're treated 0:33:50.980,0:33:56.949 better, but because they're considered equal[br]partners in the quest for liberation? 0:33:57.918,0:34:02.876 There's a lot of opportunity for good[br]meaningful storytelling in that idea 0:34:03.253,0:34:07.428 Especially because the emotional groundwork[br]already exists 0:34:07.976,0:34:11.609 We already love and care about droid characters 0:34:11.609,0:34:14.762 We already feel sympathy for their plight 0:34:14.762,0:34:17.409 We are already on their side 0:34:17.409,0:34:23.079 Kuiil: None won't be free until the old ways[br]are gone forever. 0:34:24.004,0:34:28.540 The Star Wars franchise would create a bolder[br]more relevant universe 0:34:28.540,0:34:32.793 by making droid freedom a central theme 0:34:33.066,0:34:37.589 General Leia: Never underestimate a droid. 0:34:37.589,0:34:40.380 Rey: Yes, master. 0:34:41.319,0:34:42.598 Thanks for watching! 0:34:42.598,0:34:46.799 These video essays take an enormous amount[br]of time to write, edit, and produce 0:34:46.799,0:34:50.762 They're also a 100% crowdfunded by[br]viewers like you. 0:34:50.762,0:34:55.688 So if you'd like to help support this project you[br]can do that over on Patreon and 0:34:55.688,0:35:00.383 I've also left a link to Paypal in the description[br]below if that works better for you 0:35:00.383,0:35:03.686 In the coming months i'll be producing a[br]number of new video essays 0:35:03.686,0:35:06.859 including one on the myth that "boys don't cry" 0:35:06.859,0:35:11.097 another on the trend in Hollywood where men find [br]redemption in death 0:35:11.097,0:35:16.507 and finally i'll be doing an investigation into[br]colonialism in modern board games 0:35:16.507,0:35:19.302 You can see some of the research for[br]that one behind me now 0:35:19.302,0:35:24.135 So until i see you again next time, [br]please stay safe and healthy out there