Randall Alley: It’s interesting that this question has probably been posed throughout history regarding a lot of technologies and developments that have already occurred. Many have been positive, and many negative. The main thing to remember is that we, as humans, adapt amazingly well to what comes our way. Should this technology arrive, it would mean that we have made significant advances in our capability and much of these advancements will herald other developments in other areas that will undoubtedly have a positive and negative effect. So, my answer is that advancement is the nature of the human race, which I see as a positive. What negatives come along for the ride is yet to be seen, and will have to be dealt with as they appear.

Q: Dr. Canton, what do you think about the human need of security? Will it be more important in the near future than personal freedom? How far do you think humans will go to be safe and how much of their freedom are willing to pay?

Dr. James Canton: I think that the human need for security, given the increased risks to life and safety, will threaten our democratic ideals and laws. Some nations may use the fear associated with security as an excuse to curtail liberty and freedoms as well as control democracy with advanced tech, such as robotics. This trade-off, less privacy and freedom for more security, is a theme I wrote about in my book the Extreme Future because I am concerned how tech can be used to manipulate desire, information and the truth.

Q: At what stage is the technique of clones today?

Dr. James Canton: Cloning of humans is not a legally responsible activity. But given the rogue governments and rogue scientists we have to assume that the tech to clone a human is progressing as we learn how to clone organs. It will be possible as we clone organs to use this tech, though radical as it sounds, to attempt cloning.

Q: Will it be ethical to create surrogates that look specifically like someone famous? Do you think that will become an issue – with celebs basically having to copy write or trademark their faces for protection?

Dr. James Canton: The question of ethics to create surrogates to begin with will take humanity on a social exploration that is coming in the near future. Who is human and who is not? It will be likely illegal to create a surrogate that is not licensed by a celeb. The Madonna licensed surrogate may be on the market. But as with many branded products there will be knock offs. Celebs will be licensing the rights for their surrogate identities to be sold, I forecast.

Q: Why do you think humanities main purpose of technology seems towards escapism rather than making their reality better?

Dr. James Canton: I think humanity is constantly yearning for the unknown. I believe it is in our genes, or soul if you will. Escapism can be viewed as just that, or as a way of venturing into new and exciting areas. It really depends on the perspective of those who judge. In the film, it was presented largely as escaping the reality, but this is only one way of presenting it. These very same surrogates could in fact have saved lives and helped make life better just as easily as being used for pure entertainment.

I think making one’s own reality better is tough to do for many and therefore the yearning to escape is great, while others embrace technology in order to make their reality more efficient. It really depends on the individual. Technology is driven both by demand, certainly, but also by our ability to push the envelope because we can imagine and be creative for our own whims. The purpose of technology is in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the researcher, developer, futurist, engineer, etc.

Q: Randall, could the situations evoked in the film one day become real? In that case, what do you think would occur?

Randall Alley: The situations as described in the film could indeed become real as the tele-robotic technology progresses and as the conflict between humans and surrogate-advocates becomes tense.

Q: If the kind of cybernetic future shown in the film was to happen, do you think it would create repression in relationships, similar to what we see in the film?

Dr. James Canton: Just as today, relationships are influenced by looks, some augmented by surgery, tomorrow our ideas of eternal beauty or attractiveness may be shaped by more advanced tech or surrogate tech as in the movie. Conflict or repression in relationships will happen.

Q: Randall, could the situations evoked in the film one day become real? In that case, what do you think would occur?

Randall Alley: I think it could become real, but it may differ than what was shown in the Surrogates. This movie is simply one path we can take. The use of a human-like surrogates has been on our minds for a very long time. I think there are so many variables that will occur between now and then that will alter the path of our development in this area.

A good example is the internet and all the new technologies that can change the way we approach things literally overnight in some cases. Just look how fast mp3s took over for example. There are evolutionary and revolutionary changes that affect our interpretation of the future. What if we discover for example that mimicking the human body is not the most efficient way to go and that another form is required? This would relegate surrogates as shown in the film to being largely for entertainment while other types of surrogate forms would get the nod for more significant advancements.

In short, we simply have no idea what this winding road will look like the farther we attempt to travel down it in our minds. We are only capable of seeing to the next b curve and only surmising what’s just around the bend.

Q: Dr. Canton, where in the world are they developing real surrogate like technology, does anyone country or scientist stand out as the leading edge in android / surrogate / human like robots?

Dr. James Canton: There are some secret labs working in Asia–China and Japan, on surrogate like tech I have seen in my travels. They are working on attractive female and male surrogate-like robots, some are quite attractive. Consider de-population a vexing problem of the near future. You can search for Hugo DeGaris and Rodney Brooks for more info on state of the art in robotics and my website www.FutureGuru.com

Not enough people to work, marry or live in a nation or region could be offset by robotics. Even with bringing health care to the millions who cannot get it, tele-robotics, human doctors operating these surrogates to provide health care will happen.

Q: Dr. Canton, can you tell us what you think is ahead immediately in the next decade, as it relates to these virtual worlds, and possible surrogate like virtual robotic connections?

Dr. James Canton: I think what is ahead in the next decade will astound most people. Immersive virtual worlds. Tele-sensing. Remote viewing, mobility and travel into any reality. The interaction with other intelligences, some robotic some virtual will open up new careers and lifestyles beyond today’s limitations. In this time window we will “see” through the eyes of our Surrogates far away new worlds in space, experience dangerous extreme sports and engage in erotic safe adventures that will expand our reality. Surrogates points to a basic human drive–the exploration by humanity into new worlds, new experiences and new adventures.

Q: Randall, what was it like for you to be interviewed and now be on a blu-ray bonus feature for the world to see?

Randall Alley: It’s just one more example of how fast our world is shrinking on the one hand, and yet how much more depth is waiting to be discovered. The capability of connecting to a global audience in “virtual real-time” opens up quite a few doors for us all and I am very excited to be a part of it. How could I not be? It allows me to reach out and touch an audience that in the past was hidden to me. I look forward to what develops from here.

Q: Dr. Canton, why do you think humans use tech toys to escape reality?

Dr. James Canton: I think humans use of tech toys to escape, or to be entertained, is due to the young nature of our species and the relative primitive nature of our civilization. Entertainment is fundamental to al life forms, especially ours. The stress and complexity of life demand better escapes–Surrogate tech shows us what’s possible.

Q: Do you feel SURROGATES is the film that comes the closest to depicting the possible reality of robotics and surrogates? Are there any other films that have come close?