I went to see the film Children of Men yesterday and I must say that I am still feeling a little disturbed about it today.
In my mind, it started out about a world where the human race was not able to procreate but when I was actually watching it, it dealt with so many other issues. The plight of refugees and a future where they had no rights, discrimination, a world where there was no hope and even when presented with hope, a lack of value for human life and the beliefs of others. I couldn't think of one level of this film that was not disturbing.
In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but think that this world has already started to develop. We live in a world where intolerance seems prevalent, whether it be by colour of ones skin, faith and the country of one's origin. Where war is an overbearing presence to peace - if peace even exists at all. And, where scientists are fooling around with genetics and where drugs, pesticides, pollution control all seem to be done before we really know what the long term effects to the earth and to it's inhabitants.
Take for example what I read in a book entitled This is your Brain on Music, by Daniel J. Levitin. While discussing neurotransmitters, there was a small section on anti-depressants like Prozac and Zoloft, which doesn't produce but instead slows the "reuptake" of serotonin allowing it to act for a longer period of time. Here is what Levitin has to say: "The precise mechanism by which this alleviates depression, obssessive-compulsive disorder, and mood and sleep disorders is not known." Is not known? Does this mean that they don't know all they can about the function before they start prescribing this drug to millions? Seems a little unsafe to me.
How many other drugs and chemicals are out there like this? Does anyone out there remember thalidomide? And, how can we be sure that they don't contribute to infertility?
Which brings me back to this film. Is it a prophetic look at the world of the not too distant future? Is it like Climate Change in that it might be too late to stop the downfall of societies into anarchy and hopelessness? Most importantly, does humanity have the desire and the capability to stop it?
Now, I'd just like to say that while I feel affected by the film, I also really liked it. I can't say enjoyed because it was a little dark for that but I would highly recommend it. It was - as you can tell by today's post - quite thought-provoking.
And, that can be a good thing...
In my mind, it started out about a world where the human race was not able to procreate but when I was actually watching it, it dealt with so many other issues. The plight of refugees and a future where they had no rights, discrimination, a world where there was no hope and even when presented with hope, a lack of value for human life and the beliefs of others. I couldn't think of one level of this film that was not disturbing.
In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but think that this world has already started to develop. We live in a world where intolerance seems prevalent, whether it be by colour of ones skin, faith and the country of one's origin. Where war is an overbearing presence to peace - if peace even exists at all. And, where scientists are fooling around with genetics and where drugs, pesticides, pollution control all seem to be done before we really know what the long term effects to the earth and to it's inhabitants.
Take for example what I read in a book entitled This is your Brain on Music, by Daniel J. Levitin. While discussing neurotransmitters, there was a small section on anti-depressants like Prozac and Zoloft, which doesn't produce but instead slows the "reuptake" of serotonin allowing it to act for a longer period of time. Here is what Levitin has to say: "The precise mechanism by which this alleviates depression, obssessive-compulsive disorder, and mood and sleep disorders is not known." Is not known? Does this mean that they don't know all they can about the function before they start prescribing this drug to millions? Seems a little unsafe to me.
How many other drugs and chemicals are out there like this? Does anyone out there remember thalidomide? And, how can we be sure that they don't contribute to infertility?
Which brings me back to this film. Is it a prophetic look at the world of the not too distant future? Is it like Climate Change in that it might be too late to stop the downfall of societies into anarchy and hopelessness? Most importantly, does humanity have the desire and the capability to stop it?
Now, I'd just like to say that while I feel affected by the film, I also really liked it. I can't say enjoyed because it was a little dark for that but I would highly recommend it. It was - as you can tell by today's post - quite thought-provoking.
And, that can be a good thing...
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