I think of one the crucial aspect of Automata is that memories matter. If one assumes that the Androids core programming forms the base structure, containing things like functionality of the unit (is it an A, B, E etc.. model), personality type and so on, then one could say that the experiences that the android gains are the thing that makes them an unique individual.
So while for example, there are other battle models with the same personality type, the experiences and memories gained by that one battle unit are hers and hers alone. That makes her different from the rest of the other battle units.
Memories make you who you are. With this in mind, when a friend of mine @kaus-quietis (Lav) had completed the major playtroughs for the first time, she proposed a dilemma that I had no thought about it before.
The game itself (and the novels and etc…later on) tells that 2B has feelings for 9S, and he has feelings for her. So while there might not be confusion about the existence of those feelings, Lav pondered to who precisely they were direct at. Because you see, if memories and experiences are the molding force that create a person, then what about a person who’s memories are erased? Can you say that the 9S who experienced events A, B and C, is the same 9S who experienced events D, E and G?
There is a very good example of the molding force of experiences at the beginning of the game. 9S’ memories are wiped at the end since he is not able to transfer them to the Bunker. He does not remember what he talked about with 2B during the factory mission. When 2B meets him again in the Bunker, their dynamic is different from what it was in the factory. Can one really say that this 9S that stands before 2B in the Bunker is the same one that she met at the factory?
So if 2B would fall love in love with the 9S that she encountered in the factory, then does this love/affection also correspond to the 9S, who has no memories about the factory mission? Is she falling in love with the same person, or someone different, some variation of him?
Me and Lav had an interesting chat about this, and I thought it could be fun to share it:
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Lav: Either there is an onthological apparatus that contains some idea/version of android selves, or there are some things preserved in the data that is transferred, maybe the consciousness itself has the form of data in their case, but I kinda doubt that.
Lav: I would rather take the latter, though, because… well, actually no. If a conscience has some kind of “place” in the existence of everything as itself, then maybe the android consciences as a new species of consciences also belong there.
Echo: Hmm, maybe the personality type?
Lav: But that doesn’t solve the fact that they can be erased and recreated in millions with the same name.
Lav: It just can’t be, Eddy. It can’t be the same 9S.
Lav: I can’t believe there is a single 9S in all these cycles.
Echo: Hmm yes, but is the “personality type” itself erased? I think it’s just the experiences. So maybe the personality type predetermines their behavior to some degree, thus creating something comparable to universal experience?
Lav: Nah, personality type is just a strategic factor, mostly clearly it is an aspect designed for battle efficiency and military morale maintenance.
Echo: Aah right, you probably right.
Echo: I think in the couple side quest, the female android says she is going to get rid of some of the habits she does not like.
Echo: I just got this idea that there is some “core element” that stays with him, through all of the different variations. Something transcendent.
Lav: Well, going beyond, then that means that any android with the same personality type and designation can be literally 9S, which is not what we are looking for here.
Echo: Yeah I agree. That opens a different can of words.
Echo: And if the personality type was predetermining, I think that could raise the question about free will.
Lav: I see it that, just like with humans, every 9S is shaped by the experiences he went through. Maybe one 9S loves 2B less, another 9S loves her more, and then another 9S doesn’t even get the time to fall in love or something like this.
Lav: Some will be colder, some will be different, depending on the experiences. The general behavior is predetermined by the personality and type codes, but does that really mean it’s the same consciousness/self/individual?
So it seems that in the midst of the dance of death that is the cycle of 9S and 2B, there is not a “single”, transcendent “9S”. As Lav said at one point:
Memory loss is definitely a big factor. It erases your identity and your knowledge. Then, you clearly “rebuild” yourself to function again in the world, therefore you can’t possibly be the same person as before
However, what one can say for certain is that the 9S that we play as, from the point when 2B wakes up in the Bunker, to the climax in the Tower, is the same one. The reason for this is that all the combined stress, revelations and horrors of the game are the thing that fractures 9S’s psyche. If there was a reset at ending A, then 9S would not know about the extinction of humanity, thus losing one crucial element that leads to his existential crisis.
I think we, the players, are supposed to face these shocking revelations with 9S, and to relate to his agony. So it would be weird in a story and gameplay perspective to reveal all these things first, and then forget about them all together. 2B’s death would lose the emotional impact if 9S would not have the attachment to her, which he has created during the game.
Yesterday I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine, @kaus-quietis (Lav) about Automata´s story. We began tossing back and forth ideas about 9S removing and attaching 2B´s hand having potential symbolic meaning. Lav came up with a lot of interesting ideas and I thought it would be fun to share some of them via this post.
We both shared the opinion that likely one idea behind the transfer of 2B´s hand (besides practical reasons), is 9S making 2B a part of himself. By having a physical piece of 2B with him, 9S is with 2B forever. As Lav expressed it:
it’s really making 2B a part of him, not only on an emotional/existential level, but also a clear physical one.
I think this is quite interesting remembering that 9S is a character, whose memory and personality have been wiped clean numerous times in the course of the story. As he had lost the experiences that molded him as a person, he would also lose the memories of 2B. Someone who he considers to be an important person. Now 9S has a piece of a person with him who he was terrified to forget.
Next idea Lav came up with was that the arm is usually a symbol of power and justice. Lav found the idea of justice especially fitting within the context of the game. 9S seeks knowledge but in the course of the game he also seeks justice, justice for 2B. 9S is huting down A2, the killer of 2B, and tries to bring justice down by killing her killer.
Arm according to Lav also means the ability to take action, and the ability to punish. The latter could link to the point about justice mentioned earlier. The ability to take action is also interesting. After 9S attaches the arm and stands up, he mutters to himself that he has to keep going, has to keep fighting. It`s like in a way getting the arm “gave” him strength, to keep going and ascend the Tower.
Lav also came up with a idea really fascinating idea. There is an interesting bit about it being the left arm specially. A quote from Lav from our yesterday´s discussion:
There’s also that thing about the left arm being somehow in a more direct connection to the heart. It plays a role in marriage ceremonies, and thus the definite marriage ring is worn on the left arm. Old beliefs tell the left hand’s ring finger is connected to a blood vase which leads directly to one’s heart. Anatomically, such a thing doesn’t exist, as in fact all fingers are connected to the heart through blood vases, of course. This so-called “vena amoris” (Latin for “vein of love”) is a concept of uncertain historical origins, yet one that influenced many cultures. In this context, the left arm becomes a symbol associated with marriage. And we know marriage is an “until God parts us” or “until Death makes us part” bond, so that speaks a lot about the relationship of the two.
To conclude 9S removing and attaching 2B´s arm to replace his severed one had it`s practical reasons. There is also potential symbolical meaning behind it, as we have explored in the course of this post. Maybe 9S wanted a more lasting memory of 2B, after having lost his memories so many times. The left hand being associated with marriage is also an interesting thing to ponder.
I`d like to thank Lav again for coming up with all of these intriguing ideas.
