Doing Without Surrogates

I watched Bruce Willis’ film Surrogates last night. The concept is a scary yet sensible one: You stay at home, and your surrogate (robot) goes to work. Essentially, you are doing virtual role-playing in a near-perfect body. Like in The Matrix, you lie on a reclining barbershop chair as you are connected (and issuing long-distance commands) via an Internet-like network to your alternate self. And, you can look as attractive as you would like without resorting to cosmetic surgery, as everyone is wrinkle and crinkle free.

I wonder in this current world of ours, how many surrogates are used? In filmmaking, actors may use stand-ins to perform dangerous stunts. Stunt-people are surrogates. A body-double is a surrogate. A bodyguard is a surrogate of sorts. A chauffeur is a surrogate who stands in for the driver in the backseat. There are a significant number of healthy surrogate mothers, who rent their body for the biologically disadvantaged. An understudy is a potential surrogate who replaces the actor in the event of illness.

When we delegate our team members to perform tasks, aren’t we (in a expanded way) using surrogates to complete our tasks? We delegate to those on our team who can do the task, even if it means stretching them somewhat. For instance, several members can make a sales presentation on your behalf. You merely direct them with your expectations and standards of excellence. When Steve Jobs personally introduces the iPad and iPhone, isn’t he a surrogate for the digital giant known as Apple?

In most cases, we have to play our own surrogates. When we race at triathlons, marathons and other endurance sports – aren’t we our surrogates in a different context? We just dress up differently and appropriately, take on a multiplicity of physical disciplines and environments, and aim to complete the race within a stipulated time. We have to deliver by a shorter dateline.

Or, do we decide to be who we truly are? Just present your personality, energy and intentions to your audience. You need not abrogate to your surrogate. Be true. Be real.