Thanks to all who participated in our meeting at One World Cafe today! It was nice to see you all in person (mask-free!) and check out the bright new student area!
Lots of interesting ideas discussed today that will stick with me a bit: -- the "lifted" generation and their need for "interaction meetings" to learn how to connect with human peers. --discussion between Capaldi and the Mother considering if humans can be fully replaceable with an artificial friend. -- the very human traits, like empathy, that Klara seemingly possesses more of than the actual humans. -- Klara's faith in the Sun and how it does/does not heal Josie. Is Klara's understanding based on the fact she is powered by solar energy or something deeper? -- what happens to an artificial friend when their humans are done with them. -- Technology and science: how far is too far? Medical ethics.
Lots of things felt like the near future and were extra creepy because of it.
A couple of interesting topics I found in a readers guide I was looking at post-meeting; feel free to consider and comment if interested:
1) Does the term "Artificial Friend" resonate now, as contemporary readers in the age of social media and the internet?
2) Would you describe the relationship between Klara and Josie as love? Where did you notice what seemed like genuine love to you in the novel?
Lots of interesting ideas discussed today that will stick with me a bit:
-- the "lifted" generation and their need for "interaction meetings" to learn how to connect with human peers.
--discussion between Capaldi and the Mother considering if humans can be fully replaceable with an artificial friend.
-- the very human traits, like empathy, that Klara seemingly possesses more of than the actual humans.
-- Klara's faith in the Sun and how it does/does not heal Josie. Is Klara's understanding based on the fact she is powered by solar energy or something deeper?
-- what happens to an artificial friend when their humans are done with them.
-- Technology and science: how far is too far? Medical ethics.
Lots of things felt like the near future and were extra creepy because of it.
A couple of interesting topics I found in a readers guide I was looking at post-meeting; feel free to consider and comment if interested:
1) Does the term "Artificial Friend" resonate now, as contemporary readers in the age of social media and the internet?
2) Would you describe the relationship between Klara and Josie as love? Where did you notice what seemed like genuine love to you in the novel?