The Uncanny Life of Automata

A worthily try to use both plural forms of automaton in equal parts.
Credits: Automata Footage
Thank you very much:
Sarah Alexander and the crew of the MS Stubnitz where I shot the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre automatons and the interview
www.cabaret.co.uk/
Torsten Kresse at the Galerie Alte Technik Munich where I filmed the footage of clockwork, The Dancing Lady Pinball and his home-made Dancer Automaton
www.ars-technic...
My colleague René for lending his kids' Furby to me
Zoe (class 6e) for bringing her sister's animatronic dog toy to school
69mechanik (The House of Automata's KZbin channel) for the following videos:
Lady Boots Automaton • Autoperipatetikos Walk...
Swiss Clockwork Singing Bird • Swiss Clockwork Singin...
Cat Automaton -- Stalking • Cat Automaton - Stalking
Drumming Rabbit Automaton • Drumming Rabbit Automaton
Mirror Ballroom Automaton • Mirror Ballroom Automaton
Rabbit in a Cabbage Automaton • Video
Lady with a fan Automaton • Lady with a Fan Automaton
Cat with Fan and Glasses • Cat with Fan and Glasses
Automaton Harpist by Vichy • Automaton Harpist by V...
Nancy -- The Automaton • Nancy - The Automaton
Cleopatra Automaton • Cleopatra Automaton
Cabaret Mechanical Theatre's KZbin channel for these videos:
Robert Houdin's Orange Tree by Pierre Mayer • Orange Tree
Be nice to Bees by Keith Newstead • Be nice to Bees by Kei...
The Owl and the Pussycat by St Leger • The Owl & the Pussycat...
A Visit to Cabaret with Thai TV • WOW! A Visit to Cabare...
Food Automata Workshops with Cabaret Mechanical Theatre • Food Automata Workshop...
Credits: Music
Mesozoic Intro: „Storm Chasers", available at JewelBeat www.jewelbeat.c... chasers
Automata Collage 1 and 2: Tom Milsom "Toy (Ode To An Imaginary Pachyderm)" of the album "Explorers 4"
tommilsom.bandc...
Creepy Androids: Tom Milsom, "Duet for Casiotone MT-45 and Otomatone"
• Video
Endscreen music: Tom Milsom, "They" of the album "Painfully Mainstream"
tommilsom.bandc...
All music by Tom Milsom appears with permission of the artist.
Tom Milsom's KZbin: / hexachordal
Cabaret Mechanical Theatre Collage and Food Automata Workshop: Alex Day, "You and Me" of the album "The World is mine (I don't know anything)" appears with permission of the artist and is available at itunes.apple.c...

[@equiano7]

On the creepiness of automata: There is a Doctor Who episode from the '70s called "Robots of Death" in which The Doctor describes the psychological phenomenon of robophobia, severe fear of robots, which stems from the robot having a human shape but no human body language. In a robot dependent society, it's like being surrounded by walking, talking dead men.

[@jleejj42]

My interest in automatons was sparked by the game "Siberia" for the original XBox. If you have ever have a chance to play it, I highly recommend it. It's a puzzle game, in the style of Myst, about a woman who is trying to track down the eccentric owner of a dying toy factory as she travels across Russia visiting sites where he has left his mark with elaborate automatons.

[@JonBln]

Your videos are all great but I think this is my favourite one. You must have put an incredible amount of work into this one.

[@blatantmisconception]

I wish you knew how happy you make me. Thanks for this, uplifted my day.

[@MisterKnightly]

The whimsy and happiness experienced watching this video was a joy. Thank you, Madam.

[@Inucat]

I kept waiting for you to mention "The sandman" and was so happy when you did, because it was by far the best book we had to read in German

[@CharlottevdVeen]

This video was a fun surprise, thanks! :D I'm looking to get into making these (even the creepy ones) seems like such a rad creative outlet.

[@Imaroo]

Really good video. I can tell you've worked very hard on it :) I'm continually impressed by how you always push yourself to make new types of content. I'm rather fond of robotics, and as an extension automatons (although I find them a bit creepy much of the time).

[@torntrof]

A great touch of putting all the names in the video. Thanks for that! :)

[@MrChief101]

I think James Burke has some competition... Extremely well put-together and charming. The subject has always fascinated since childhood and first seeing King Kong vs. Mechnikong... Quite nice, Astrid!

[@brewers2150]

Dear Sillysparrowness, You may not know it, but you are a Steampunk. The Victorian Etchings on your wall, the Victorian "looking" outer garment you were wearing in the video, the love of clockwork. They all point to you being a Steampunk. I didn't know I was one at first. But, after after immersing myself in it, I love it!! The Sky Pirate

[@RealDragonHawk]

I love how the Internet enables interactions which previously would never have happened. I just listened to a woman a quarter of the way around the world talk about the history, psychology, and philosophy of automata. And why? Because she also built a TARDIS. Yet I enjoyed this presentation and learned from it. I'm enriched by a means that was impossible even 15 years ago. How cool is that?

[@sbirdranch]

I just contacted PBS (US) suggesting that they look into you and your talents. Your great.

[@richo61]

The animated "jokes" are delightful! Mechanical ingenuity combined with humor - love it!

[@greyareaRK1]

Most human interaction is redundant, which is to say that it is used to establish relationship parameters, social norms, cues, and so forth. Visual cues is a sizable portion of that. We study faces intently, which is why 3D animation, for instance, still can't bridge the uncanny divide.

[@paulwatts003]

I never thought of clocks as automatons, but now you say it, obviously they are. And Cleopatra Automaton - that was amazing. Thanks for sharing!

[@greyareaRK1]

I once had a creepy encounter with a Teddy Ruxpin. My mother bought a Ruxpin for a nephew, but unknown to me there was a second Ruxpin being kept in the closet for another birthday. I also didn't know Teddy Ruxpins could co-ordinate conversations with each other via coded radio bursts. All I knew was that the Teddy in the next room suddenly started to talk. Malfunction? I approached. It asked a question. Amused, I considered answering. Then something in the closet behind me replied....

[@MagnesiumSodium]

I was gonna complain about why you don't release videos more often, but it's obvious that this video took A LOT of time, anyway we're happy to have you back :)

[@rmcbeigh]

I LOVE the intro, the entire video was awesome!!!

[@lamnemonista]

that crawling dog-looking one is terrifying.

[@Misawa2Me]

Because your personality and beauty in high def would shut down the system.

[@NickCasey]

I love this video, and I love automaton, when I was at Yorkminster Cathedral I loved all the automata they had on display, I think I got some shots of them in my Hop Across The Pond video

[@MarkMichalowski]

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks! Mxx

[@Danthaman1971]

You're awesome Sally!

[@limors]

This was highly interesting, and I thank you for the nightmares that the close up at around 5:55 will give me tonight :)

[@Alienturnedhuman]

It looks like KZbin has stuffed up the encode because even after 1 hour it is still stuck at 360p and the aspect ratio is all wrong. I suspect that - for what ever reason - the audio is stuck at a lower quality which can have the effect of sounding louder than normal. Unfortunately the video probably needs reuploading.

[@DrHenryOswald]

This was really cool. I've always found automatons to be interesting, but I never understood or knew about their entire background. Speaking of automatons, if you ever get the chance, you may want to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It's also about these machines, and in my opinion is beautifully illustrated. You may like it. =)

[@ajubvj]

Robot Chicken has not only already been done but it has it's own TV show!

[@SalemParadox]

This is quite interesting, thank you for making it.

[@GillyWhitfootHaysend]

Good explination of the uncanny valley sillysparrowess

[@SixStringUk]

Enjoyed the video very much. Also, that's quite a lot of credits, so to the background video now ;) Also, KZbin is rather annoying recently. It's been quite some time since they'd break so much stuff. At least the video doesn't get pixelated every 5 seconds like some others do...

[@SarahJaneNg]

It felt like someone was trying to troll a troll. Oh well.

[@guillermogreaves1199]

I love your work, its interesting, wise and funny

[@ledniz]

Fascinating, thanks so much.

[@freudentrauma]

Really good video. Reminded me of the time when I played the video game Syberia which was a lot about automata.

[@anselmandrian5220]

Thank you very much . Greetings & best kind regards . Anselm Andrian .

[@LilRedFoxPictures]

Really awesome video. very now. nice work. I learnt a lot.

[@wheezy023]

This was amazing. Thank you.

[@Paolability]

Gosh, I really miss that place in Covent Garden and agree it was the best place there. I read they had to leave because of rent increases. :-/

[@Adderkleet]

The music also seems a little louder than expected.

[@GeoffreyDunn]

Totally fascinating trip into automata. Thank you :-)

[@creadishcread2243]

Great video, I like how you are shamelessly intellectual - refreshing change from the usual American/English folk :)

[@deceptivepanther]

Home again, home again, jiggidy-jig! Gooood Evening, J.F!

[@MrVintage78]

An excellent introduction to the automata phenomenon! I love the one biting your finger at 4.29. This past summer I enjoyed a visit to the fine collection in the Musee Baud in the small Swiss village of l'Auberson. Fascinating automata and mechanical musical instruments! Thank you for posting this!

[@sillysparrowness]

I however am annoyed at you calling my language use "indifferent". Check the video description, it was on purpose. So it seems I annoyed you on purpose.

[@plaasjaapie]

This piece is absolutely brilliant! Arguably the best thing you've done so far in an already impressive oeuvre. I am going to show it to a lot of colleagues. About the only criticism that could be put on the production is that I wished that you could have spoken more slowly so that your narrative could be more easily understood by people with somewhat shaky English language skills. As to your wanting to make your own automaton, I would suggest you get yourself a personal 3D printer.

[@GEdwardsPhilosophy]

Why are they creepy? My guess is because psychology itself is a theoretical explanation of automation. Most of our prey, predators, or co-specifics, are best identified quickly by their movement; with their motives being 'mind written' afterwards via some causal theory. However, this 'movement to mind' mechanism is a complex system, and whilst automata strongly trigger some bits, others are not triggered. The result is a sense of uncanniness. Best to simplify them to cuteness or comedy then :)

[@guckmadahin]

Another great video!

[@NicoArgJaneshi]

Ok... touching show more... OMG TO MANY SOURCES!! :P Love your videos! love your Tardis! Love u! Cheers from Argentina!

[@DarrenLikesDanger]

Great video! Very informative

[@sillysparrowness]

Nobody reads the video description. Oh well.

[@TomHaneyArtwork]

Loved the video - but why am I just seeing it today? It seems more and more people are getting into this art form. Thanks for sharing your passion. tom

[@Leibowitz]

The indifferent use of automata and automatons actually annoyed me (which surprised me to be honest). Maybe i'm more fond of continuity than i thought i was...

[@RustyDust101]

Oooha, was für eine Quellenangabe. Nicht schlecht. Nebenbei: Video mal wieder klasse. Transl.: Ooooh boy, what a load of sources. Not bad at all! BTW: again a great video.

[@SyFy_Master]

So animals don't have souls? My dog dreams, plays, loves, hates. I think he has soul. Which means I may have missed your point.

[@PontusWelin]

Don't let it bother you Astrid. You made a very informative, interesting and fun video! That people don't know the difference between "automaton" and "automata" is their own issue, not yours. :D

[@AndresH444]

Cool! Liking the new hair do...

[@clamage]

Astrid, you should have a look at Arthur Ganson's kinetic sculptures. There are plenty of videos on KZbin and I think you would like them..

[@rmcbeigh]

yes it is!!!

[@GYRUSS]

In the future mankind will fall into the deceit that 'ultimately you can only trust an android'. What do you trust more? A handheld calculator or your personal array?

[@ajubvj]

Point of Pedantry: Olympia wasn't an android; she was a gynoid!

[@Zaephyrs]

lmao - Yay for the Robot Chicken love!

[@don5of1dead7]

I so wish you were my neighbor you are so cool and quirky a true genius

[@hurlebibi]

Is there still a mechanical cabaret theatre in london? I'm going there in a week and I really wish I could visit this place :/ (It's really a shame the one in coven garden has closed...) PS : Your french accent is impressive o_O

[@AustinSpafford]

I just found your channel through the Tardis-construction video, and thank you for creating such interesting videos! Also, to my American ears your English accent is excellent, which I'm sure was why it confused me to hear German commentary mid-way through the Tardis video. In juxtaposition to your earlier videos, the progress is quite noticeable!

[@zarkoff45]

Google "Uncanny valley" for a more in depth look into the creepiness of androids and computer animation.

[@DwarvenHydra]

Cool! Though I think around the beginning you kept switching between saying "automatons" and "automata". Oh well.

[@keladry12]

How are we interested in so many of the same things??? I

[@BadSensation]

dat music

[@ZoggFromBetelgeuse]

I respect your intention, but I found it a bit confusing, for two reasons. First, it was somewhat inconsistent, like making a german video about buns and constantly switching between "Brötchen", "Weckchen" and "Semmeln". Secondly, I find it a little bit strange to hear a Greek nominative/accusative plural in a rather "genitive" or "dative" context, like in the title "of Automata". (I know it's correct, I just don't like it.) Then again, I'm an alien from space, so what do I know... ,-)

[@johngeier8841]

You've changed your hair. Looks nice :-)

[@agrillage]

I was a little disappointed not to see reference to one of the most famous automatons, The Turk.

[@DwarvenHydra]

I actually spent maybe five minutes in the description. I guess I missed the very top though! Sorry! (also, mnjeh, it is literally impossible for me to actually reply to a comment from this iPod...)

[@ApplesAndDaisies]

Really interesting! :)

[@orbnorian]

Actually you missed R. Descartes point.

[@AustinSpafford]

Regarding your interest in automata, have you seen the works of Blair Somerville? KZbin has unfortunately blocked my attempts to include a link to his "Lost & Found" video on Vimeo, but I think it's worth the search! :)

[@ZoggFromBetelgeuse]

Ceterum censeo Dalecem automaton esse construendum.

[@Acritas2021]

You've been reading Daniel Dennett's "On Consciousness" haven't you?

[@ruolbu]

totally out of context: Your opinion on the 12th Doctor? (who I will not name, in case you prefer the hopeless struggle to not get spoiled until next season ^^)

[@Puzzleguy123]

Please. We need HD.

[@AuthorInAbsolutes]

I think, yes, I may love you.;)

[@outofturn]

cellular automata are easier to make.

[@JamesRPatrick]

Nightmare fuel at 5:30

[@IamGrimalkin]

"The sandman". I instantly thought of Gaiman sandman comics. Where are all your other selves?

[@sillysparrowness]

O KZbin, Y U NO MAKE HIGH DEFINITION?!!! This is annoying. :(

[@Mrchrisbutch]

Interesting

[@Zaephyrs]

Oh! Oh! Build a Chicken automaton!

[@eratosthanes]

Why is this video only in 480p?

[@Leibowitz]

Whoa, i'm sorry. I was very aware that you did that on purpose (it still didn't set well with me, thence my surprise) and i didn't mean to criticize or indeed offend. Me being austrian i just put the wrong word there. I didn't check for the meaning of indifferent (which i should have). What i was actually going for was "unterschiedslos", without all the judgment the word indifferent obviously carries. Again, sorry...

[@integralmath]

I'm only about 4 minutes in, but I have to say that your title coupled with the content of the video and relative standing of these automata in the eyes/imagination of 'the masses' makes me suspect you're cleverly evoking the notion of the so-called uncanny valley. Anyway, that's just my rough guesstimate while being only about a third of the way through the video. If so, dash cunning of you. If not, we'll just pretend it was dash cunning of you. =^_^=

[@DamienPollet]

O// KZbin, Y U NO LINK WORK?

[@Leibowitz]

P.S. I just realized this makes me one of the unintentional trolls. *sadface*

[@TheMCXII]

I like you... just sayin.

[@BadSensation]

also: dat video

[@markus8277]

Hallo Fr. Brachlow 6a BESTE

[@DamienPollet]

Not sure if you can call them automata, but I really like the works of some kinetic sculpture artists, for instance Bob Potts kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4OqnWiQjdOif9U or Arthur Ganson kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZCqmX2ilLqEnZI

[@grahamkeithtodd]

sillysallysparow would you marry me please?

[@jacobhornerjh]

i do find some of them pointless and irritating and boring, why would anyone think that enyone would want one (and then loads of people did) but good vid though...i preferred your other ones though

[@thelilmissmonster]

Hi :)

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Automatons.... hmm my English is excellent, but I never heard the word before, so I did not know that automatons were these little machines until it struck me after the video had ended... haha. Seeing the video first time, I kept wondering what automatons were, actually... haha stupid, isn't it?