Artificial Condition

The data port on the back of Murderbot’s head is a motif that helps the novella explore The Line Between Human and Machine. Before Murderbot’s surgery, the data port is a physical sign that it isn’t human. While it can conceal some of its robotic physical traits, such as the weapons in its arms, Murderbot has trouble concealing the data port and worries that it will give away its human disguise. ART’s surgery helps conceal the data port, reinforcing the idea that Murderbot is becoming increasingly human. Further, when ART renders the data port inoperable, Murderbot moves closer to being human and further from being a machine, since it no longer has access to the technology that would be plugged into the port.

The data port also represents Murderbot’s freedom and autonomy. By disabling the data port, ART ensures that Murderbot will never again have to obey human commands. Tlacey’s attempt to control Murderbot focuses on inserting a combat override module into the port. The failure of this effort highlights Murderbot’s freedom. Her focus on the data port also indicates that Tlacey continues to view Murderbot as a machine, rather than a person, since she seeks to control him with a computer program rather than to persuade him through reason.