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Technology will save us!

Two films I've seen recently reflect on this theme: a soteriology of technology you could call it. Iron Man is an entertaining movie with a minor plot problem. As I saw it, the shrapnel in Tony Stark's heart was either already in his heart or his tissue is incredibly soft. For when the electromagnetic reactor that prevents the shrapnel from killing him is removed, Tony is nearly incapacitated immediately. Too, too quick to be believable. Anyway, back to the theme--Stark, a weapons manufacturer repents of his mercenary ways, but wants to use more technology to stop what his previous technology was doing. Kind of like fighting fire with petroleum jelly to butcher a David Bowie song.

The other film, Wall-E, deals with this theme in a much more serious way. I'll not go on about the movie because others, more articulate than I can point out other interesting tidbits for you (see Crunchy Cons review, for one fine example). By the way, the film was wonderful--visually extravagant and potent storytelling--but I digress.
It seems humanity, through insatiable consumption, has irrevocably despoiled the planet, so much so that our progeny must abandon ship for a giant space ship. After 700 years of being in space, humanity is infantilized, cared for by the technology that sustains them. However, it has become totalitarian, a soft version, but complete nevertheless.
So the title character Wall-E helps humans come back to Earth and retain their rightful place as stewards. Only this time, I surmised, technology aids in the flourishing and not the "stuffing" of people.
As I said, others have more complete reviews, but I thought it was interesting how the Pixar film showed how we can become (as if we aren't already) slaves to our tools. Go see it--family friendly too.

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