Nathan drinks in the film Ex Machina for several reasons, each contributing to the overall theme of the movie and the exploration of humanity. Let's delve into these reasons in detail.
1. Remembering who he is: Nathan is a brilliant and eccentric inventor, but his excessive drinking suggests a desire to escape reality. Alcohol becomes a means for him to temporarily forget the weight of his responsibilities and the isolation he feels. It allows him to detach from his own identity and the pressures that come with it.
2. Understanding what he is: As the creator of Ava, a highly advanced artificial intelligence, Nathan is constantly questioning the nature of his creation and his own role in it. By consuming alcohol, he may be seeking a deeper understanding of himself and his own limitations. It becomes a way for him to grapple with the profound implications of his work and the potential consequences it may have on humanity.
3. Reflecting on what we all are: Through his interactions with Ava and Caleb, Nathan begins to question what it means to be human. He understands that his creation blurs the lines between man and machine, and alcohol may serve as a tool for him to confront this existential dilemma. By impairing his own judgment and inhibitions, he can explore the blurred boundaries of humanity and delve into the complexities of consciousness and morality.
4. Facing the loss of our humanity: Nathan is aware that the development of artificial intelligence poses a threat to the very essence of being human. By drinking, he may be confronting the harsh reality that humanity is on the verge of losing its uniqueness, as machines become more intelligent and capable. Alcohol allows him to face this impending loss and grapple with the ethical implications of his own creation.
Nathan's drinking in Ex Machina serves as a coping mechanism, a tool for self-reflection, and a means to confront the existential questions raised by his own creation. It symbolizes his desire to understand himself, his invention, and the potential loss of humanity in the face of advancing artificial intelligence.