There are many movies which tell people something deep meaning, and they have difficulty to understand what the director tries to say. The movie, "A Space Odyssey", is one of those movie I have seen before; therefore, it is very difficult to interpret correctly. What I interpret this movie is this.
In this movie, there are three parts: The Dawn of Man, TMA-1, and Jupiter Mission. Monoliths have a important role in each part. A long time ago, there were early humans in the African desert on the earth, and they didn't have any knowledge, tools, and weapons. One day, one monkey touched the monolith and was able to use a bone as a tool and a weapon. That is because he touched the monolith. Monoliths make humans smarter so that they can reach the next step. In the first part, the monkeys get the knowledge about how to use materials as tools and weapons and grow up to be mature enough to get the moon. In the second part, people touch the second monolith and develop themselves to be able to get Jupiter. In my opinion, a monolith is God because in the bible, God can create everything even a human as well as the human get the most important knowledge about how to use a tool from the monolith. Therefore, the story shows us how humans developed supernaturally.
In the third part, there is a conflict between humans and a technology. A computer, called HAL, controls everything in a space ship to Jupiter. The members are depending on HAL. HAL can speak and think just like a human; therefore, everything is going well. However, when one concern comes up, the human members start wondering if HAL is perfect or not. When HAL realizes that, he tries to kill the members and did except one. Here is the real conflict between a human and a technology. People suppose to invent a machine using technology and control it; yet, if they depend on the technology too much, they will be controlled by the technology. In fact, human cannot live without technology now.
Through this movie, it tells people that how humans have been developing and how people have to deal with technology. If they ignore the gratefulness, they will kill themselves.
You have a very special understanding of the monolith, and I agree with what you think about the technology.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good post on the movie, Momoko! I agree with you about the conflict between humans and technology. I also would agree about the influence of the monolith, though I would not call it "God"; it does seem to be the work of a more advanced species, though.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't quite understand your concluding sentence; does it mean that if humanity takes technology for granted, and doesn't consider how to use technology properly, then there will be trouble? If so, I very much agree with you!