Christian Bale is John Connor in Terminator Salvation.
Credit: Sony Pictures
So-called autonomic systems that can self-heal are in their infancy and have demonstrated no capacity so far. The ability to withstand extreme force or extreme hot or cold is impressive, though unexplainable and probably inconsistent. The ability of terminators to mimic is excellent. People and current robots are much less flexible.
There are also interesting technical issues surrounding the capability of computer networks. It is certainly true that distributed systems are much more difficult to control than centralised ones, a key topic of debate in music sharing and rulings about copyright.
Whether there would be a hidden 'under signal' that could override the network in the way depicted is questionable. The computer messages sent on the screen were also a little unrealistic and overly teleological.
In one detail, however, the movie series has been conservative. When Judgement Day happens, Skynet takes over the network while calculating at 60 Teraflops. Current machines can calculate at 300 times that speed.
One theme that is seriously underdeveloped is Skynet's motivation. The explanation we are given for Skynet's war against humans is that humans are a threat to Skynet's existence.
But how did that perception arise? How did the machines become self-aware? Machine self-awareness is a common fear, but again, one, which is way beyond our current understanding or technological capability. For that matter, why did Skynet want to take charge? Why was it so committed to stopping John Conner and his associates? Unfortunately, this is missing from the movie.
In summary, the movie is entertaining. However, it is unlikely that it will attain the iconic status of the previous movies.
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Professor Leon Sterling is the University of Melbourne's Chair of Software Innovation and Engineering and the Director of e-research.
This movie was shockingly bad
the heading say it all,
Terminator Salvation is plagued with devastating plot holes and inconsistencies.
don't bother with this one
Watch instead Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles
Terminator Salvation was bad with its lack of development of a decent storyline.
While not perfect Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles especially end of the second season deals brilliantly with the self-awareness of machines. It shows development of an alternative to Skynet who grows and learn and cares about a little girl, creating some of the best scenes and dialogue on TV. Similarly the Terminator Cameron taking care of John says we and he don't understand how Terminators work that they have sensation ands says she "wouldn't be worth much if I couldn't feel." Unfortunately like all great shows it is canceled.
The real question should be, "Should self-aware machines fear?"
It looks like we are headed down the Terminator road regardless of how we feel about it. In 10-20 years, these robots will be fact, in 50 years, they will be everywhere. It's kind of cool really, because even if a biological weapon, which does exist today wipes out the entire earth, then the robots could keep our legacy alive and well.
Scott C. Waring
Author of novels George's Pond & West's Time Machine
Soon to release Dragons of Asgard & UFO Sightings