Feedback on... X3 (X-Men 3) Is Coming Out -- Let the Pop Culture Enhancement Debate Begin
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One or two readers of my article "X3 (X-Men 3) Coming Out -- Let the Pop Culture Enhancement Debate Begin" have gotten the impression I was offering it up for educational purposes, and have recommended that I consider other sources of enlightenment such as longevity researcher Aubrey de Grey. So I decided to clarify my comments...
I may have given a false impression in the above article... I'm not recommending the next X-Men film as some kind of educational tour de force for Transhumanists or "the Unconverted." I'm merely noting that blockbuster movies -- in particular SF and especially superhero films (whether blatantly or subtly affiliated with that subgenre) have a far greater voice on issues of human augmentation and dealing with posthuman beings than almost anyone or anything in American or global society. And yes, I do acknowledge the value in being able to share truly brilliant and insightful science fiction with the public.
I also have great respect for researchers like Aubrey de Grey, which is why I've discussed issues like longevity before. But again, probably more people were thinking about the consequences of living for centuries after watching Aeon Flux -- even if the feelings they got were negative ones -- than have ever heard of the Good Doctor de Grey. You may not like that fact, but there it is.
I should probably also add a slight correction. X-Men 3 may not be the film most blatantly discussing human augmentation questions. UltraViolet is about a conflict between humans and a breed of posthuman beings deemed too dangerous to be allowed to live. (Trailer here.)
Future Imperative
One or two readers of my article "X3 (X-Men 3) Coming Out -- Let the Pop Culture Enhancement Debate Begin" have gotten the impression I was offering it up for educational purposes, and have recommended that I consider other sources of enlightenment such as longevity researcher Aubrey de Grey. So I decided to clarify my comments...
I may have given a false impression in the above article... I'm not recommending the next X-Men film as some kind of educational tour de force for Transhumanists or "the Unconverted." I'm merely noting that blockbuster movies -- in particular SF and especially superhero films (whether blatantly or subtly affiliated with that subgenre) have a far greater voice on issues of human augmentation and dealing with posthuman beings than almost anyone or anything in American or global society. And yes, I do acknowledge the value in being able to share truly brilliant and insightful science fiction with the public.
I also have great respect for researchers like Aubrey de Grey, which is why I've discussed issues like longevity before. But again, probably more people were thinking about the consequences of living for centuries after watching Aeon Flux -- even if the feelings they got were negative ones -- than have ever heard of the Good Doctor de Grey. You may not like that fact, but there it is.
I should probably also add a slight correction. X-Men 3 may not be the film most blatantly discussing human augmentation questions. UltraViolet is about a conflict between humans and a breed of posthuman beings deemed too dangerous to be allowed to live. (Trailer here.)
Future Imperative
posted by Ralph Cerchione | Saturday, February 04, 2006
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