Because of the recent discussion about "AI" and "ChatGPT" etc. I've been thinking of re-watching the 1968 classic, 2001 A Space Odyssey (because of HAL 9000 obviously). Coincidentally, Rob Ager just released this short video about the film:
Basically, director Stanley Kubrick, after making fun of the cold war establishment in "Dr. Strangelove" (another must-watch movie IMO), tricked the big players (including IBM and NASA) and investors into supporting the financing of the movie as a pro space race, pro techno-utopia film while filming something that undermines that message.
Personally I think that the fact that the spaceship that cuts into the flying bone seen is better without the planned missiles, because ultimately, even seemingly "civilian" space programs are military anyway. The space as a silent, scary, unnatural and anti-human place is obvious upon first viewing (that's what I got from it as a kid anyway), but according to Ager, the movie can also be seen as a critique of technocracy itself. Must find time for a re-watch however.
Personally I think that the fact that the spaceship that cuts into the flying bone seen is better without the planned missiles, because ultimately, even seemingly "civilian" space programs are military anyway. The space as a silent, scary, unnatural and anti-human place is obvious upon first viewing (that's what I got from it as a kid anyway), but according to Ager, the movie can also be seen as a critique of technocracy itself. Must find time for a re-watch however.
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