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Land of Tomorrow
21 Nov 2015 02:49 #209731
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Land of Tomorrow was created by
Today I saw a movie that I didn't think I would enjoy as much as I did. That movie was Tomorrowland. While it is generally geared toward kids, I actually found that it had a good message toward the end. What I'm about to say is a true spoiler if you would rather watch the movie and find out for yourself (because it will do a much better job explaining the following concepts than I can). If however, you just want the concepts, read on.
What the world needs is positivity. Optimism. Otherwise we are feeding the wrong animal, the one that desires darkness and pain.
Warning: Spoiler!
Toward the end of Tomorrowland it is discovered that the device invented by George Clooney's character was not just predicting the future, it was transmitting it. What was originally seen in this device was our own peril. The end of the world, in other words. However, the more the device was used, the more this negative perspective of the future was being enhanced. It was forcing people to embrace their own destruction at an exponential rate.
The machine was intended to show people where the world was headed should our behaviors not change. But instead of instilling fear and a healthy sense of need for change, we accepted this destruction, we thrived on it, we made games, books, movies, and endless entertainment based solely on our own demise. What the movie suggests, then, is that we are essentially a suicidal race.
The machine was intended to show people where the world was headed should our behaviors not change. But instead of instilling fear and a healthy sense of need for change, we accepted this destruction, we thrived on it, we made games, books, movies, and endless entertainment based solely on our own demise. What the movie suggests, then, is that we are essentially a suicidal race.
What the world needs is positivity. Optimism. Otherwise we are feeding the wrong animal, the one that desires darkness and pain.
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21 Nov 2015 02:59 #209732
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Replied by on topic Land of Tomorrow
Hope is a powerful tool, and the looming threat of inevitability works unfortunate wonders.
I personally have a family of very devout Christians. For the six 3/4 years since I've left their faith, I hear at every family function how it's a phase that will pass, or how Jesus is the only path to heaven. This is the inevitability that has been pounded into them by misguiding (though perhaps well intentioned) pastors. Yet, at the same time, I see the hope that their faith brings them. It empowers them, lets them get through the dark times with only the representation of light.
Society works much the same way, I believe. People need a light, whether it is real or imaginary.
I personally have a family of very devout Christians. For the six 3/4 years since I've left their faith, I hear at every family function how it's a phase that will pass, or how Jesus is the only path to heaven. This is the inevitability that has been pounded into them by misguiding (though perhaps well intentioned) pastors. Yet, at the same time, I see the hope that their faith brings them. It empowers them, lets them get through the dark times with only the representation of light.
Society works much the same way, I believe. People need a light, whether it is real or imaginary.
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21 Nov 2015 06:33 #209741
by Locksley
We are all the sum of our tears. Too little and the ground is not fertile, and nothing can grow there. Too much, the best of us is washed away. -- J. Michael Straczynski, Babylon 5
Replied by Locksley on topic Land of Tomorrow
Yeah man, I fricken loved that flick. Saw it twice and recommended it to my film theory professor - it's way better than I expected it to be, and definitely had some cool themes fermenting in it.
We are all the sum of our tears. Too little and the ground is not fertile, and nothing can grow there. Too much, the best of us is washed away. -- J. Michael Straczynski, Babylon 5
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21 Nov 2015 07:56 - 21 Nov 2015 08:11 #209744
by Adder
Or at least very open to suggestion and groupthink!! Such that could it suggest a pervasive and endemic sense of a lack of control over ones destiny?
Replied by Adder on topic Land of Tomorrow
Streen wrote:
Warning: Spoiler!The machine was intended to show people where the world was headed should our behaviors not change. But instead of instilling fear and a healthy sense of need for change, we accepted this destruction, we thrived on it, we made games, books, movies, and endless entertainment based solely on our own demise. What the movie suggests, then, is that we are essentially a suicidal race.
Or at least very open to suggestion and groupthink!! Such that could it suggest a pervasive and endemic sense of a lack of control over ones destiny?
Last edit: 21 Nov 2015 08:11 by Adder.
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22 Nov 2015 16:04 #209838
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Replied by on topic Land of Tomorrow
If I follow what you're suggesting, Adder, the point was that people did have control over their destiny, and they were choosing destruction.
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22 Nov 2015 16:55 #209845
by Carlos.Martinez3
Pastor of Temple of the Jedi Order
pastor@templeofthejediorder.org
Build, not tear down.
Nosce te ipsum / Cerca trova
Replied by Carlos.Martinez3 on topic Land of Tomorrow
I'm waiting to see it.
Pastor of Temple of the Jedi Order
pastor@templeofthejediorder.org
Build, not tear down.
Nosce te ipsum / Cerca trova
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22 Nov 2015 21:01 - 22 Nov 2015 21:01 #209863
by Adder
Wasn't it a subliminal transmission, or suggestive through dreams, which was influencing them rather then informing a conscious decision making process? It's been awhile since I saw it.
Replied by Adder on topic Land of Tomorrow
Streen wrote: If I follow what you're suggesting, Adder, the point was that people did have control over their destiny, and they were choosing destruction.
Wasn't it a subliminal transmission, or suggestive through dreams, which was influencing them rather then informing a conscious decision making process? It's been awhile since I saw it.
Last edit: 22 Nov 2015 21:01 by Adder.
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23 Nov 2015 14:53 #209934
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Replied by on topic Land of Tomorrow
The impression I got was that the machine saw the direction we were headed in (toward destruction) and it was running like a feedback loop, where the future was being shown on the machine which was rebroadcasting the future, influencing people which again showed up on the machine. It was a paradox, exponentially making things worse.
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24 Nov 2015 22:22 #210201
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Replied by on topic Land of Tomorrow
What about a 'universal library' in which there's a book for every topic under every sun that ever was or ever will be, every thought that anyone ever had or will? Such a library would then contain books about what happens precisely in the future, moment by moment. Also, a book of every unsolved misery inflicted on one creature to another. A book on every dictator who was currently just a tiny child. What would a reader do with such data?
What about the Librarian of such a library? What kind of creature would that be? What if you see that Librarian one day on the sidewalk, but you notice the Librarian is watching you? Would you ever want to meet such a creature?
What about the Librarian of such a library? What kind of creature would that be? What if you see that Librarian one day on the sidewalk, but you notice the Librarian is watching you? Would you ever want to meet such a creature?
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25 Nov 2015 13:01 #210278
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Replied by on topic Land of Tomorrow
I'm sorry, I guess I just don't see where you're headed with that.

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