Envisioning technology through film
Has anyone ever seen the movie "The Island?" It is about a group of wealthy individuals who pay $5 million dollars to have clones made of themselves in case they get sick and need an organ or spare limb. While some parts were reminiscent of The Matrix, I really enjoyed this futuristic movie because it demonstrates the idea that technology has the potential to cross many different boundaries, both good and bad.
One of the boundaries breeched in this movie is the division between what is life and what is not. Many characters did not think that clones deserved to be treated as their originals. Technology creates an ethical dilemma concerning the treatment of technology's product...clones. While in real life cloning has occurred (Dollie the lamb), will technology reach a point where human cloning is possible (after all, the genome sequence is complete, I believe)? If it does, will society accept its terms and consequences?
Another boundary discussed in The Island is the role technology plays in one's life. This movie conveys the idea that technology is a necessity rather than a luxury. Today, our societal infrastructure is rooted in technology, yet technological failure would not mean the end of the human race. In this movie, if technological failure occurred, the entire human race would face dire consequences and could mean the end of human society. Technology is a necessity to them.
Many individuals today may believe they could not function without the technology they are so accustomed to, yet if their cell phones, TVs, computers, etc were taken away, they would acclimate appropriately. It is human nature to be able to adapt and survive circumstances.
What do you think? Is it a bad thing that society could eventually become so dependent on functional technology?
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On a similar note, I recently saw the new Harry Potter movie. Here is my question. Is magic some sort of idealistic future vision of technological possibilities? This is an odd question, I know. But humans have already molded technology to aid in almost every aspect of everyday modern life. Why can't we mold it into something more tangible and more personally controlled?
The more I consider this possibility the more I think it is absurd, yet the idea is fascinating. One hundred years ago, the idea of traveling to the moon may have been considered "magic" to some. After all, technology wasn't even close to what it is now. The idea of traveling outside of earth into the unknown would be unthinkable. Now, it is a reality and scientists are already considering the idea of pleasure trips to the moon for the public. Technology has come so far and has made great leaps and bounds...where will it stop?
Comments
Posted by: Youngjin Yoo
Posted on: November 29, 2005 09:31 AM
I heard about the Island. Your posting made me to want to see it even more. I also like the way you compare magic and technology. I guess the common connection between the two is dreams. We just choose different ways to express them.
Posted by: David Hagen
Posted on: December 1, 2005 09:55 PM
The difference between technology and magic is understanding. Flashlights, airplanes, and automatic doors would all seem like magic to people of the past. We don't see them as magic though, we see them as science, because we understand how they work (as a society, not necessarily as an individual).