Visions Of The Future – The Intelligence Revolution
December 22nd, 2007 9 comments link to (permalink) posted by david
This documentary celebrates the possibility that we are entering a period where science will change from discovery about the word to mastery over it. In a world of post millennial global warming, peak oil and impending Malthusian crises its a touching piece of optimism.
This world view is logically in direct opposition to something like the Green movement, because what it is suggesting, is that the environment is something we can control rather than defer to. It could be argued that our only way out of global environmental catastrophe is to hit the gas.
Of course none of these political issues come into play here, but it would be an interesting way to stir up complacency on both sides of the spectrum, by pitting the opposition to the Green movement as being something whose tone is liberal, mystical and positive, rather like this film.
I am in favor of environmentalism, but think that with it we have to accept that we will return to a dystopian, feudal past as a payoff to save the planet for other species.
The film is presented by Michio Kaku who made a name for himself as a popularizer of science, in the media. Which is odd, because he’s not a great presenter but is a truly great physicist, being, amongst other things, one of the co-inventors, as it were, of String Theory.
If you can get through the excruciating platitudes of the opening of this documentary the substance is really good.
(This is the first in a 3 part series).
51 min 54 sec Dec 11, 2007
tags: environment science
9 responses so far »
eniksleestack : Dec 25, 2007 at 1:23 am
Great stuff, hope to see the other parts.
I will say that it seems as bright and cheery (and perhaps ultimately too optimistic) as the futurist-inspired books about flying cars and underwater cities I read in the 70s when I was a child. But I’m a sucker for the gee-whiz.
Kevin : Dec 26, 2007 at 5:45 am
Agreed. The reality, if you look at the entire history of humanity is that the greenies will need torch and sword, tank and gun to enforce their agenda. It’s been said that intelligence is what people use to get out of problems that wisdom would have avoided. Well, next world we’ll do it differently. That’s when we will use the wisdom we should have used on ours. Now it’s time for some nifty damned solutions. Let’s get to it.
Shatha : Dec 26, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Definitely interesting to see such a more optimistic, technological deterministic point of view, but I would have enjoyed more debate within, rather than the one side being shown with no confrontation. Or at least, even if it was the one side, if the ideas were explored a bit more daringly.
When you get right down to it though, I don’t think history has once shown us that we can trust humans to have the persectiveness and responsibility to go about things correctly.
Lee : Dec 27, 2007 at 10:50 pm
“…we have to accept that we will return to a dystopian, feudal past as a payoff to save the planet for other species.”
Most people think we have to make massive sacrifices to save the planet, and it’s a misconception. The technologies of sustainable humanity will bring a better quality of life for everyone, and potentially better democracy, too.
There’s a book you need to read called ‘The Meaning of the 21st Century’ by James Martin.
ashley johnston : Dec 28, 2007 at 12:24 am
I couldn’t get through it all. It was pretty painful. I was waiting for the platitudes to stop. They didn’t.
aikowest0002 : Nov 26, 2009 at 7:04 am
<img src="http://images.porn.com/images/b-join-240×60.gif">
<img src="http://cartoon.inhousexxx.com/ad/lois.gif">
<img src="http://fucketa.com/images/300×250-1.jpg">
Jeltintate : Mar 11, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Неплохо!даже интерсно, правда я уже читал проэто, на одном блоге!
Cтропальщик : Apr 5, 2010 at 8:43 pm
И правда креатив…супер!
Valera10 : May 8, 2010 at 6:14 am
итальянские рецепты
Leave a Comment