The end of an era
The end of an era was marked today by the final class of not only the semester but University as a whole. How fitting it should be that of a man who has inspired me to keep at it throughout the last four years. I know I speak for many students when I say that Michael Griffith or "MG" as he is affectionately known is one of the most influential and respected lecturers within the university.
However MG also appears to have his own franchise on the side, as was discovered by yours truly just the other day.
A fitting tribute I believe to a man who in the same manner as his idol William Blake, has left his mark on the world.
It is therefore fitting that my final University related entry should be once again a film related correlation.
This time Disney/Pixar's latest animated masterpiece "Wall-E" The adorable story of a charismatic robot looking to make the world a better place. By no means is this film simply discarded as a children's flick as its themes and implications reach far beyond. In particular the theme of humanity trashing the planet and then leaving the mess for someone else to clean up. Similar such themes are reflected in the a portion of "The Breathing Cathedral" by Martha Heyneman. The book also examines the nature of what does it mean to be human. In Wall-E's case even though he is a machine, he has very human qualities and in an ironical sense is even more human than the real humans who have become enslaved to technology for the last 700 years in space and it takes an independent robot to free them from that enslavement
The other film correlation that came to mind today was the tragic movie "Into the Wild" based on the bestseller by Jon Krakaeur. The plot follows graduate Christopher McCandless whom despite being the top of his class and the sporting field, abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. The story however ends tragically as Christopher is unable to live a sustainable life in the wilderness and dies as a result.
I was reminded of this movie today when MG talked about the Bass repairist who switched off his brain and was in tune (no pun intended) with his unconcious. A very Blakian aspect if ever there was one. However while this is all well and good, the tragedy of "Into the Wild" demonstrates that there needs to be a balance between the thinking brain and the natural self.
Hmmm It has been a challenging four years.
But nothing next to where the road takes me now.
As to that I do not know.
Cam
22/10/2008
However MG also appears to have his own franchise on the side, as was discovered by yours truly just the other day.
A fitting tribute I believe to a man who in the same manner as his idol William Blake, has left his mark on the world.
It is therefore fitting that my final University related entry should be once again a film related correlation.
This time Disney/Pixar's latest animated masterpiece "Wall-E" The adorable story of a charismatic robot looking to make the world a better place. By no means is this film simply discarded as a children's flick as its themes and implications reach far beyond. In particular the theme of humanity trashing the planet and then leaving the mess for someone else to clean up. Similar such themes are reflected in the a portion of "The Breathing Cathedral" by Martha Heyneman. The book also examines the nature of what does it mean to be human. In Wall-E's case even though he is a machine, he has very human qualities and in an ironical sense is even more human than the real humans who have become enslaved to technology for the last 700 years in space and it takes an independent robot to free them from that enslavement
The other film correlation that came to mind today was the tragic movie "Into the Wild" based on the bestseller by Jon Krakaeur. The plot follows graduate Christopher McCandless whom despite being the top of his class and the sporting field, abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. The story however ends tragically as Christopher is unable to live a sustainable life in the wilderness and dies as a result.
I was reminded of this movie today when MG talked about the Bass repairist who switched off his brain and was in tune (no pun intended) with his unconcious. A very Blakian aspect if ever there was one. However while this is all well and good, the tragedy of "Into the Wild" demonstrates that there needs to be a balance between the thinking brain and the natural self.
Hmmm It has been a challenging four years.
But nothing next to where the road takes me now.
As to that I do not know.
Cam
22/10/2008