What inspires us to do the really important things in our life ?? These are the things that make a big difference to us and to our world. Inspiration is what happens to us usually when we are young and is not easy to forget. Inspiration makes us wiser, enlightens us, expands our vistas and does not limit us in any sense of the word. Change abounds within us and all around us. Time presses forever forward and we ride its crest into the future. Yet through all of this, deep within our soul something remains unchanged. In turbulent times we stand upon it so that we do not falter. In happier times we rejoice we are in possession of it for it helps define who and what we are. It guides our actions and we emerge into our true selves. That is our inspiration.
Each person on this planet can recall a moment when they realized that their life was going to change. When younger we were more open to new ideas and ways of thinking about things. This not to say that we are hardened to the point of insensitivity as we age. Let us just say that anything new is usually filtered and we add more complex filters as the years march forward. I remember as a youth being surprised and greatly impressed by what went on about me.
I was a child in the sixties. The history in North America was very much in flux back then. I remember being very confused. This was a combination of growing up and understanding more of the outside world. As I matured I had great stretches of time when I was just trying to figure things out. Leaders that showed sensitivity , vision and hope were dramatically killed. New technologies were born and we were all excited by the great adventure of going to the moon. However this was also the era of Vietnam and the cold war. So mixed with going to school and learn the mathematics, science were the messy politics of the time.
As a young person I looked to see what I could learn. Fortunately for me television was beginning to show how powerful a medium it would become. Most of the shows were used to keep us entertained. However even back then it was used by some gifted individuals to teach very important life lessons and broaden our minds.
One such individual was a prolific writer, director, producer and certainly a genius in this new field of television, Rod Serling. His writing was amazing in the sense that although it was used by mass media, it actually spoke to us as individuals. He used fiction to hold a mirror to society and those of us who dwell in it. It was never done in a scolding manner but an enlightened fashion. He had many productions but the one I remember vividly was his show The Twilight Zone. I shall not now try to explain in few words on so few pages what subjects it dealt with, for it would not do it justice. It was held by its viewers to high standards but at times it was inspiring to watch.
A good story teller weaves a magical tale that is embedded with gems. We are certainly entertained as
we watch but behind is a lesson which , if we are fortunate is quickly learned. The great stories are told throughout history because each generation must learn the lessons and not repeat costly mistakes and live well. A story that has stayed in my mind was about one individual who tried to improve himself. He wanted to remove his flaws, as he saw them. The story begins with this person waiting in a New York subway platform. As he begins to suffer from a mental episode he is questioned by a religious zealot. He snaps back to reality but as she talks he begins again to slip and pushes her onto the tracks as the train arrives. A very disturbing beginning and we are reassured that this not a dream by the introduction narration of Rod Serling.
The title of this episode is In His Image. He goes to meet his girl-friend of four days. They go back to his home town but it has changed beyond his recognition. His aunt does not exist and there is an empty field where the school where he was employed was supposed to be. An unknown person is living in his house and people that he knew have been dead for years. Once again, as he is being driven back to New York by his friend he begins to lapse and he persuades her to leave him and take the car and go. Now we are coming to the unforgettable part that really, really shocked me when I was younger, oh so much younger. As he ran into the road a car comes from behind and barely misses him as he jumped clear. The person driving runs out in a panic and helps our hero. He does get up and looks at his left wrist where there is a huge gash, but no blood. The closeup of his face was unforgettable as he slowly looks at his injured arm. He pulls back a flap of skin to reveal not skin and bones and blood but electronic parts, circuits and a few flashing lights.
He is shocked to see that he may not be what he thought he was. Later it is revealed by his creator, who looks just like him, that he is a mechanical device. His creator wanted a perfect copy of a human being, not a robot. It is strange that I recall that moment of discovery with vivid detail. I also remember that I would check myself every time I was hurt to see if I was human. As children we wonder about so many things and this story had a huge impact on me. It made me think about what it was to be human. Is it because we have a body ?? Is it because we have consciousness ??? What is life ? Could we build robots with such sophistication ??
These very questions guide me today. I have taken a path that was influenced by that show so long ago. I find the work of robot building completely absorbing and fascinating and look back with a sense of joy at this one episode. A last comment as I bring this long essay to a conclusion. Recently I got a copy of this very show and I watch it regularly. An excellent production, well crafted, well acted and I have it from beginning to end!! I usually do not look at it as I work away in my robotic workshop. However I stop and always look directly at the television at the moment he looks at his arm. Interesting that I would do that after all these years.
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