Apple’s Sunny: Is a Screen-Free Future Really Possible?

A Future Without Screens: How "Sunny" Reimagines Technology in a Sci-Fi Dramedy

In a world increasingly dominated by screens, Apple TV+’s new sci-fi dramedy, "Sunny", takes a refreshingly different approach to the future. Instead of depicting a world saturated with digital displays, the show envisions a future where technology seamlessly blends into daily life, favoring audio interfaces and "paper-like" screens. This deliberate design choice, driven by showrunner Katie Robbins, aims to create a futuristic world that feels familiar and relatable, while simultaneously exploring the complexities of human-technology interaction.

Beyond the Screens: A Vision of Subtle Technology

"Sunny" presents a future where phones primarily function through audio, relying on voice commands and real-time language translation to facilitate communication. Imagine a world where your phone doubles as an earbud case, eliminating the need to constantly hold a brightly glowing screen. This subtle approach to technology is inspired by the design of vintage Japanese lighters from the 1960s, lending the show’s technology a uniquely retro aesthetic.

The show further minimizes reliance on traditional screens by incorporating built-in projectors for visual tasks, eliminating the need for bulky devices. Even when characters do interact with digital displays, they are rendered with a "paper-like" aesthetic, reminiscent of "shoji" screens found in Japanese homes. This organic and minimalist design aligns with the show’s overall approach to integrating technology into a natural and comfortable setting.

Temporal Ambiguity: A World That Feels Familiar

"Sunny" cleverly avoids pinning down a specific timeline, maintaining a sense of temporal ambiguity that invites viewers to connect with the show’s world on their own terms. Set in Kyoto, the show incorporates elements of a vaguely futuristic society, featuring robots and advanced AI assistants, while maintaining a decidedly retro feel in terms of fashion and music.

Robbins explains, "We never wanted to specifically timestamp the show, so that it could feel 10 years in the future, 30 years in the future, or an alt-now. We wanted it to feel familiar and accessible and not futuristic in a really overt way." This deliberate choice to blur the lines between present and future allows viewers to focus on the human narratives unfolding within the world, rather than being distracted by overly futuristic gadgets.

Exploring the Human Cost of Technology

"Sunny" doesn’t shy away from exploring the potential consequences of relying on technology, even when it appears to be seamlessly integrated into life. The show’s central character, Suzie, provides a compelling example of this dynamic. Living in Japan for a decade, Suzie has never learned the language – she simply relies on her phone’s real-time translator to communicate.

Robbins highlights the inherent paradox: "Which is miraculous, and in some ways incredibly connective and allows her to live in a place where she wouldn’t otherwise be able to communicate with people. However, there is also a barrier within that technology. Imagine if you lived in a place where almost all of your interaction with people you were hearing translated in your ear. Even though the technology is bringing people together, it’s also creating a barrier in this way that I think is really interesting.”

The Power of a Friendly Robot

The show’s titular character, Sunny, a friendly robot assistant, further embodies this complex relationship between humans and technology. Suzie, grappling with the loss of her husband and son, initially distrusts technology. However, Sunny’s approachable and amiable nature offers a potential catalyst for healing and connection.

Robbins emphasizes the intentional design of Sunny: "Something that felt very cute, and approachable, and amiable so that you could imagine falling in love with it." This design reflects a deeper desire to create a future where technology is not feared but seen as a potential source of support and comfort.

A Future We Can Embrace

"Sunny" offers a vision of a future that feels both optimistic and realistic. It embraces the potential of technology to connect us while simultaneously acknowledging its potential to create barriers. The show’s design, which seamlessly integrates technology into daily life without overwhelming viewers with futuristic gadgets, encourages reflection on our own relationship with technology.

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and constant digital demands, "Sunny" presents a compelling alternative. It’s a future where technology is less obtrusive, more accessible, and ultimately, more human. This subtle and relatable approach, combined with the show’s compelling characters and narrative, makes "Sunny" a refreshingly new and thought-provoking addition to the science fiction genre.

As Robbins concludes, “That was the hope. We get the chance to design something here. Let’s design something that we would want.” "Sunny" is a reminder that the future of technology is not predetermined. We have the power to shape it, to create a future where technology serves us, rather than the other way around.

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