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Reviews
How We Got to Now (2014)
brilliant display of connected thinking
I haven't read the book, and I found this series brilliant. Why? Because it shows connected thinking, which reflects the subtle and pervasive effect of social influence.
Steven Johnson brings to our attention a few specific people in their specific social contexts, bringing humanity to the challenge facing the inventor. Quite often, the invention is met with ridicule, e.g. Heddy Lammar's frequency jumping idea, before it is adopted, in this case to protect inter-ship communication. And then, Steven shows the influence.
Steven is interested in pervasive technology changes. Where one invention creates a platform of social change, e.g. the humble neon light and signage, and the corresponding business invention of the 'franchise'.
As a presenter, Steven keeps it light. He is dealing with world-changing inventions and some genius characters. He could easily be a nerd, but he is charming and self-effacing. For all his humour, notice how he ends most of his skits with an understated though defined moment of gravitas. Requires a keen listener, a sensitive viewer, which I believe the material deserves.
I haven't seen anything as intelligent as this on terrestrial TV. In the UK, it is on BBC 3, and I wouldn't be surprised if it reprises on the more mainstream channels.
Dune (1984)
iconic
If you can hack the nonlinear quality of it, the concatenations, this is the best sci-fi film in my opinion. If you are used to a brick-solid plot-line, obvious storyline, then this will be difficult to follow. There are many elements, threads, characters, and to have them all woven together in under two hours is a formidable task. The film-makers all did a good job. The acting even for one-line actors is superb, the attention to detail of sets a work of love, and of course the range and depth of ideas from Herbert's original astounding.
It also serves well as a symbolic vessel, reflect on its potential meanings. eg "The dreamer shall awaken? That's you, buddy. The hand? Referring to metalanguage, including genus of concept. More advanced investment: symbol for rerooting. If only we can evolve the social equivalent of the opposable thumb. The notable near-absence of computers? Emphasis on the human potential, mentats and all. Vocal weapons? The power of converting thoughts directly into words. And of course the Bene Gesserit's Voice, ala hypnosuggestion. Spice? Oil, but this may be too close to the original laying by Herbert. More interestingly, the psychotropic effect of pot, ganja, weed. Arrakis? The Arab world, is humdrum. How about the importance of potable water, which is set to be the primary issue in the next global theatre of war? Dream sequences? Prescience, not in terms of the character and the fantasy world, but in terms of you watching the film or book enabling a comparison of your future projection with others. The Guild? And the Emperor? The power-brokers: the governments, moneylenders and businessmen. The Guild want to kill Paul before he awakens. Somebody doesn't want you to wake up to the world situation. Guerilla fighting of the people of Dune? Notice, men and women. It's grassroots up. Everyone does their share. The sense of oneness is shared. The trust they invest in certain leaders. The simple way of electing a leader. Hand-to-hand final fight between Paul and the Harkonnen? Conflict should be resolved in this small way. Not the Emperor and his generals firing through virtual screens. Hand on heart when Duncan leaves Paul? Obvious meme. Let's not turn it into the Vulcan V, but it might be useful. The Gom-Jabbar and Paul's test? Reprised in Fight Club, and inherited from North American Indian ritual when a boy becomes a man and has to transcend the fear of pain. "The film's retro-styling avoids the obvious dating of so many sci-fi's. Since the theme is about time and prediction, it is a beautifully appropriate realisation."
I watched it as a teenager having not read the books. I didn't have anything to compare it to, so it had nothing "missing". Although Lynch had to compromise, the editors did an amazing job to make the whole thing hang together for a teenager.
Superb film/book, both realised incredibly well.