From: Robert Wasley (rpwasley@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Mon Jul 16 2001 - 00:39:02 MDT
Amara D. Angelica wrote:
> Is it just me, or does the movie seem like a neo-Luddite propaganda piece:
> Gaians vs. Star Warriors? Interesting timing.
>
Final Fantasy runs a vary familiar theme well used in Japanese fantasy and
science fiction films. The earliest that comes to mind is the original
Godzilla. The monster was metaphorical "force of nature" aroused by the
arrogance of human destructive capability in the form of nuclear weapons.
This strikes two very powerful cords to the Japanese mind, first that is
philosophical and religious tradition, unlike the West's is mystical which
recognizes a unity between man and nature; the other is that Japan was
subjected to the only two nuclear weapons used in war (so far).
I personally enjoyed the movie a great deal and have recommended others to
see it. The technical prowess and artistic creativity were compelling. As
for the story, I always have a problem with their plots even with my
favorite "Ghost in the Shell" and the Patlabor series. Even still, Japanese
anime along with their other films provides some insight in how others see
the world stimulating my ideas and thought. Others obviously don't see
things in the same way as I believe the objections to the film are really
ideological. If people "really" watched the film instead of smirking and
rolling the eyes through out, technology was not the villain. It wasn't even
about using technology inappropriately in best guess, but erroneous ways. It
was the application of technology without sensitivity and understanding and
the unwillingness to change.
Which brings me to my next question. I hope that someone would make this
clear for me, is everything environmental Luddite? The Gaia concept I
believe has been somewhat pushed to the side scientifically as not having
appropriate tests built within the theory (or due to prejudice), but the
concept is still valuable if not essential. Life and human beings are an
emergent phenomena of nature. We do not exist apart. Look at quantum physics
and chaos theory, both show that everything is connect to everything else.
If everybody agrees on this basic principal then some should reduce the
rhetoric (which gets thick on this list) and be more specific about their
objections. People read these lists other than us (maybe even the
opposition?) and that should be borne in mind.
Lastly, if we want to relate Final Fantasy to the current effort of the
Bush administration of building the missile defense system I would say it
hits the mark.
Robert Wasley
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