Upon entering this class, I read the title of "utopia" and that reminded me a lot about Huxley's book Brave New World. I also was reminded of the movie called "The Island." I have come to realize that the idea of Utopias are very prevalent in many movies and books. However, these two stand out to me because they remind me so much of each other.
In Brave New World, the people live in a very controlled environment. Everything they think and do is predestined and controlled. From the time of their birth they are made to enjoy and dislike certain things. They believe that they live in the most perfect place ever and that leaving would not be a good idea. When a man from the outside enters the utopia he thinks it will be wonderful and easy. However, upon seeing the lifestyle and the peoples lack of social skills, he goes nuts and hangs himself in distress.
In contrast the move, "the island" is about people living in a very controlled environment, but their goal is to get out and get to the island. What these people do not know is that there is no magical place called the island. "The island" was simulated to make them look forward to leaving and therefore working to get out. These people however are not unique, they are clones of people in the "real world" and when they think they are leaving to the island, they are really being killed for their organs or what not. Also women use their clones to have their babies if they are sterile, and then upon seeing the baby the clone will think she is going to the island, but realistically will be killed. The dramatic twist happens when two of the clones escape and find themselves facing their identicals in the real world. Just because they are clones does not mean they do not feel or think...
the movie and Huxley's book are about someone either exiting or entering a utopia. this idea helps raise a very important question: Is a perfect utopia all that it seems or is it a bunch of lies used to benefit a "smarter" generation of people?
We read parts of Brave new world in class... so Here is a little video clip of scenes from the island for those of you who have not seen it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I also have watched the Island and thought about the possibility of clones. I think that although these clones are made to believe certain ideas they still hold the strong traits as their cell givers.
What I wonder most about today's world is that if we do end up with the knowledge and technology to product clones, will it be hidden from us? For example in The Island the people who buy these clones have no idea they are actually duplicates of themselves, rather they are told that it is an organ in a jar. I am quite sure cloning will be rejected by many when it first comes out and that their will be many conflicting ideas. The following steps of those who know how to create them may conduct projects similar to this movie.
It also reminds me of Oryx and Crake in a way and how Crake idealized the who concept of clones. In the end I would have to agree that the clone utopias are just not the greatest or most reasonable utopias thought up.
Post a Comment