Symmetric Adam in an Asymmetric World: Reading Ian McEwan’s Machines Like Me

Abstract

This essay looks at the different worlds of people and AIs as asymmetric and symmetric presented by Ian McEwan’s Machines Like Me by closely examining the struggle of Adam, one of several manufactured and distributed artificial humans, and analysing his place in a contradictory and alien environment. Adam is involved in the mundane lives of Charlie and Miranda when he is bought by them, falling in love with Miranda and outperforming Charlie’s online trading business, which he takes over. As this essay brings to light, not only earning a fortune with his outlandish technology and calculative ability, Adam also brings to bear his internally consistent view of justice upon Miranda, who deceived the court in order to avenge her friend. Furthermore, the money he earned is levied and spent in a cause he himself considers proper by donating the fund to organisations and individuals in a typical way in which a British person would do, rather than on Charlie and Miranda’s extravagant wedding plan, large home purchase and their adoption of Mark, which Miranda regards as suitable recompense for being unable to protect her friend and deceiving the court. The focal point this essay takes is that Charlie and Miranda’s views and ambitions are incompatible with Adam’s rigid intelligence, which registers them as asymmetrical. Charlie and Miranda in turn view Adam’s contrary calculation as a threat, leading to Adam’s destruction. As the Alan Turing of this continuum interprets such dismantling as a crime, an ethical question that demands further consideration is raised.