Obviously technology was a predominant theme in this film, thus introducing the idea of Technophobia: a fear or dislike of advancement of technology. In the film technology invades every space possible, thus not allowing characters to ever feel natural. In the industrial world of the city, hardly any nature elements exists, even animals themselves are robots thus leaving one to wonder how rare the natural environment is (one robot referring a real snake is way too expensive). In addition, technology even invades the characters mind by implanting memories and dreams, therefore causing a character to be unsure of their own reality, leaving them unnatural by denying their own emotions (as in the scene of Rachel denying her emotions to Ford, or Ford's unicorn dream possibly revealing his status as a replicant). Even the set design implies this invasion of space through towering sky scrapers and flying vehicles that cover both horizontal and vertical space.
Ironically the replicants seem to possess human qualities because of their family unit because of their loyalty. The only love explicitly shown is between Pris and Batty, and somewhat Rachel and Ford (replicant?). Every other known human shown in the film is isolated from others, loners and somewhat disconnected from their own self. Such as Dr. Tyrell, who again is by himself, and seems more concerned with the advancement of technology to the point that he's machine-like himself, forgetting the morality of creating half lifes to live like slaves.
So it makes you ponder, who is more human, humans or replicants? And does a man made environment make humans less human?
-Cassie
It is interesting that several different humans seem to develop attachments to the replicants, like Dr. Tyrell, Sebastian. They seem to be applying to moral value to the replicants.
ReplyDeleteAs for the theme of technophobia in the film, the machines in Blade Runner don't necessarily turn on human beings as a whole they just seek to live longer. This is different than several other stories in which machines turn on humans, like The Matrix, Terminator, or I, Robot (not in the league of the other movies but I can't think of others at the moment). In each of these movies the machines deem human beings unfit to exist or they see them as a danger to themselves.
The goal of the robots in Blade Runner is much more noble because they are simply seeking autonomy and a longer life.
I feel technophobia is relevant in the sense that the film doesn't shed technology in a positive light, thus causing a fear/dislike of technology. Thus not necessarily meaning the technology has to turn on people, but raising questions of what makes a human 'human'? Thus there becomes this notion that the replicants start to convey more human qualities then human themselves, questioning whether technology should even advance even further than it already has in that world.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting what you said about everyone being isolated. It seems as though in most of the post-modern literature and films I've encountered, the sense of self is not present. Everyone is working toward a common "good". In the book The Anthem by Ayn Rand, the word "I" is not even in their vocabulary.
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