The Politics of Perfection

Technology and Creation in Literature and Film

The Politics of Perfection cover

The Politics of Perfection

Technology and Creation in Literature and Film

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Description

The Politics of Perfection: Technology and Creation in Literature and Film provides an exploration of the relationship between modern technological progress and classical liberalism. Each chapter provides a detailed analysis of a film or novel, including Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, Michael Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, and Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake. These works of fiction are examined through the lens of political thinkers ranging from Plato to Hannah Arendt. The compatibility of classical liberalism and technology is questioned, using fiction as a window into Western society’s views on politics, economics, religion, technology, and the family. This project explores the intersection between human nature and creation, particularly artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, using works of literature and film to access cultural concerns. Each of the works featured asks a question about the relationship between technology and creation. Technology also allows humanity to create new types of life in the forms of artificial intelligence and genetically engineered beings. This book studies works of literature and film as evidence of the contemporary unease with the progress of technology and its effect on the political realm.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Perfecting the Human
Chapter Two: The City Divided: Fritz Lang’s Metropolis
Chapter Three: Of Gods and Robots: Ridley Scott’s Prometheus
Chapter Four: The Politics of Remembering: Michael Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Chapter Five: The Price of Immortality: Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go and Natural Rights in a Cloned World
Chapter Six: Shiny People, Happy People: Saving the World from Mankind in Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake

Product details

Published Oct 07 2016
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Extent 162
ISBN 9781498509923
Imprint Lexington Books
Dimensions 245 x 159 mm
Series Politics, Literature, & Film
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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