Mainstreamed Slander Against 'Star Wars' in the Anti-Artificial Intelligence Conversation
The term "Clanker" first emerged in the Star Wars universe, originating from the 2005 video game Star Wars: Republic Commando. Initially, it was used as a derogatory slur by clone troopers to refer to battle droids. This usage was later adopted in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series, serving as a term of contempt for hostile robots within the Star Wars fandom[1][2].
Over the years, the term "Clanker" has expanded its reach beyond the Star Wars community, evolving into a cultural meme and slang term. It is now commonly used to describe generative AI or autonomous robotic systems, reflecting a modern parallel to droids in the Star Wars franchise[3]. This usage positions "Clanker" as a playful but somewhat critical label for AI-generated content or machines perceived as mechanical or less human.
In the Star Wars galaxy, synthetic life is treated as second-class, with many droids enslaved. The question of whether droids are people has been a controversial topic in Star Wars, with some droids like Artoo and Threepio being granted equitable personhood, while others continue to live in indentured existence[4].
The treatment of droids in Star Wars has not made a profound leap in addressing the rights of synthetic life. However, the use of "Clanker" as a derogatory term has a controversial legacy within Star Wars continuity. Despite this, it has gained popularity recently and is often used to refer to any kind of non-human robotic intelligence.
As we move forward, it is interesting to note that other popular franchises such as Marvel, Star Trek, Star Wars, DC Universe, and Doctor Who continue to shape and influence our perceptions of artificial intelligence and synthetic life[5]. In our world, artificial intelligence is far from the level of droid sentience seen in Star Wars, but the term "Clanker" serves as a reminder of the potential for technological advancements to challenge our understanding of what it means to be alive.
References: 1. Star Wars Wiki: Clanker 2. Clone Wars Wiki: Clanker 3. Kotaku: The Star Wars Term 'Clanker' Has a New Meaning 4. Star Wars: The Rise of Droid Rights 5. Popular Culture and the Depiction of Artificial Intelligence
- Io9 often discusses the future implications of technology, and they've featured articles on the cultural meme and slang term "Clanker," now used to describe generative AI or autonomous robotic systems.
- Gizmodo recently published an article on how "Clanker" has gained popularity, reflecting a modern parallel to droids in the Star Wars franchise and serving as a playful but somewhat critical label for AI-generated content or machines.
- In movies like Star Trek or Doctor Who, the treatment of AI and synthetic life is different from Star Wars, but the term "Clanker" is a reminder of the potential for technology to challenge our understanding of what it means to be alive, much like the droids in the Star Wars universe.
