Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey takes strong Nietzschean ideology and implicates that in a cinematic way. Nietzsche's influence can be seen from the opening scenes "The Dawn of Man", in which the evolution from ape to man is dramatised in just minutes. The lead ape, Moonwatcher, is seen using animal bones as tools. As the scene progresses Moonwatcher becomes more deliberate in his intentions, eventually reaching the evolutionary stage of Homo Erectus. His "will to power" enables Moonwatcher to evolve to the higher state quicker than the other apes. This comes from the Nietzschean idea that evolution takes place in a single being and will continue to evolve, while the subjugated apes simply stay as apes, and are of a lower evolutionary status.
Another example of ideas that can be related to Nietzsche and the German school of thought in the opening scenes and throughout the film are that perfection only occurs in the human mind. The obelisk that is present at the start of the film is geometrically perfect, so cannot be the work of human and must have come a numinal world. The alignment of the planets also is something that cannot occur in the 'real world'. According to Kant and Nietzsche the location of the planets in space is only relative as space has no centre, therefore the alignment of the planets can only occur in the human mind.
More Nietzschean ideas are present later in the film as it is suggested that humans cannot exist without evolution, as they are relying on technology to provide basic human needs, like breathing, in space. The ships on-board computer "Hal 9000" recognizes this and tries to kill of humans, as with evolution and the emergence of the super human, technology will no longer be required. Hal almost succeeds in achieving the idea of the evolution of artificial intelligence, but fails to kill one of the space crew, Dave Bowman. Dave realises and accepts the idea of the need for evolution, and takes on the role which can be compared to that of Zarathustra in Nietzsche's novel. He realises the need to disable Hal in order to progress to the next stage of human evolution. Dave disables Hal despite the computers reassurances that "everything will be OK".
The final scenes of the film sees Dave take the role of the 'Last Man', eventually dieing in his bed weak and defunct of energy. His death is accompanied by the sight of the recurring obelisk at the end of his bed. Finally the "Star Child", the next stage of evolution, is seen floating next to Earth, completing the evolution from human beings and carrying on the process of evolution and taking the role of Nietzsche's "Superman".
Monday, 22 February 2010
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Local clubs in trouble
The current dire situation down the road at Fratton Park has been well publicised. Two other small local clubs are both seemingly facing tough times as well, each for different reasons.
Andover FC's current financial situation is, relatively speaking approaching the level of trouble Portsmouth are finding themselves in. The club have a debt of around £15,000 and have recently had to tell the players and management that they would be unable to pay their travel expenses. From a supporters point of view, the rumours that have been floating around the Portway Stadium seem to suggest the clubs plight has been a gradual one over the course of the season. With the recent announcement, understandably, players that have not been prepared to travel to Andover two or three times a week from Southampton, Portsmouth and Newbury amongst places, have moved on to other clubs. The excellent commitment from the management staff and remaining players has been plain to see with some very encouraging performances on the pitch. But it's the situation off the pitch that is the greatest worry, with talk of voluntary relegation popping up in the local paper. Without investment and outside parties coming in and rescuing the club worse might be yet to come for the club.
Onto Winchester City, where supporter unrest is the problem. Ironically it is the consortium that effectively rescued the club just over a year ago from near extinction that is being targeted. Supporters have become disillusioned with the running of the club and many have since boycotted attending matches, some opting to attend the matches of local neighbours Alresford Town. The Hampshire Chronicle featured an article last week outlining how owner Paul McCarthy and has board have set their sights on improving the clubs image in the town and attracting more supporters through the gates after spending a reported £10,000 on a new club website. However, an unofficial supporters forum has seen a huge backlash from fans slamming the new website and the current regime at the helm. Some stating that there wouldn't be the need for this PR exercise if the club was being run correctly in the first place.
Two clubs, who in previous seasons have held a fierce rivalry, with two very different but quite serious problems.
Andover FC's current financial situation is, relatively speaking approaching the level of trouble Portsmouth are finding themselves in. The club have a debt of around £15,000 and have recently had to tell the players and management that they would be unable to pay their travel expenses. From a supporters point of view, the rumours that have been floating around the Portway Stadium seem to suggest the clubs plight has been a gradual one over the course of the season. With the recent announcement, understandably, players that have not been prepared to travel to Andover two or three times a week from Southampton, Portsmouth and Newbury amongst places, have moved on to other clubs. The excellent commitment from the management staff and remaining players has been plain to see with some very encouraging performances on the pitch. But it's the situation off the pitch that is the greatest worry, with talk of voluntary relegation popping up in the local paper. Without investment and outside parties coming in and rescuing the club worse might be yet to come for the club.
Onto Winchester City, where supporter unrest is the problem. Ironically it is the consortium that effectively rescued the club just over a year ago from near extinction that is being targeted. Supporters have become disillusioned with the running of the club and many have since boycotted attending matches, some opting to attend the matches of local neighbours Alresford Town. The Hampshire Chronicle featured an article last week outlining how owner Paul McCarthy and has board have set their sights on improving the clubs image in the town and attracting more supporters through the gates after spending a reported £10,000 on a new club website. However, an unofficial supporters forum has seen a huge backlash from fans slamming the new website and the current regime at the helm. Some stating that there wouldn't be the need for this PR exercise if the club was being run correctly in the first place.
Two clubs, who in previous seasons have held a fierce rivalry, with two very different but quite serious problems.
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