A Pink Floyd soundtrack is a great alternative to the films silent minutes leading to the puzzling ending. The novel that was penned by Arthur C. Clark has the reborn David Bowman detonate a satellite carrying a nuclear weapon. Did that detonation trigger nuclear annihilation? Was the scene supposed to be a metaphor that describes a sudden and remarkable transformation from a warring world to a much different world? Mankind survives and is still warring when Clarke returns to the story in a sequel. We know from the sequel that the gods slam door the shut at Jupiter. Life on Europa becomes a sanctuary where humans are forbidden to go. So what happened? Was the detonation would have spread radiation to a sizable portion of the world. The EMP would have shut off power, too. The interview with Clarke posted on YouTube is not of much help. Ive read but four or five of Clarkes books. His insights are rather remarkable. The space elevator he writes about is essential to the exploration and colonization of other planets. Since Clarkes seminal 2001, NASA is in the midst of planning a mission to Europa that will take probes beneath the surface. There is talk of a space elevator. And perhaps most importantly, a scientist named Carl Sagan championed the movement to disarm. The United States and other nations have worked to halt nuclear proliferation. The impact still resonates. The film 2001 is considered the high mark for science fiction. Not only is the film a technical and artistic achievement for its time, it has a message that cannot be ignored. We must conquer our fears. We must strive for more peace.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:58:11 +0000