2001: A Space Odyssey – Discerning Themes through Score and Imagery

Incredibly detailed close reading of the 1968 movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. I stopped reading it halfway through because I want to watch the movie again (haven’t seen it in years) so that I can really appreciate what this author is doing. I’m looking forward to coming back to this one!

Yet the audience believes HAL because he’s not human. There’s a certain suspension of disbelief in the ability of a computer to coldly calculate perfectly, thus the computer’s assertion that he’s incapable of error seems at first believable. So why was he asked if he feels confidant? Returning to this theme of emotional perception over responsible conduct, the reporter continues to probe deeper. HAL is asked if he feels frustration by his physical dependence on people to carry out various acts about the ship, to which he of course replies in the negative again. “Not in the slightest bit,” he replies. “I enjoy working with people.” Further, his relationship with the crew is “stimulating.” He has tremendous mission responsibilities. “I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can hope to do.” –James Maynard Gelinas, Underground Research Initiative

On the same website I just found a detailed deconstruction of the Star Trek TOS episode “Journey to Babel,” which I dare not even start reading, because if I do, I won’t get to anything I had planned for this morning.