Philosophical Speculations

"It is up [to] the viewer to take for himself/herself what it is that [the film] means. [...] These films have never been about the effect of technology, of industry on people. It's been that everyone: politics, education, things of the financial structure, the nation state structure, language, the culture, religion, all of that exists within the host of technology. So it's not the effect of, it's that everything exists within [technology]. It's not that we use technology, we live technology. Technology has become as ubiquitous as the air we breathe ..."

-- Godfrey Reggio (Director)

As I read Barfield and Steiner, I was immediately reminded of this film, because it surprisingly fits very well with Barfield's and Steiner's ideas. I watched it many years ago, when I was 16. The film is very untypical for modern day films. And mind you, most "modern" people couldn't probably sit through an entire film that is silent, with no dialogue and no plot whatsoever. They would probably give it a 1/5 rating, call it boring and move on in their mindless lives. But the film does tell something. Something very profound. Something that I had always overlooked. Suddenly, things became clear to me. We aren't "using" technology. We are "living" it. And the dangers that arise with it.

I can only recommend you giving it a watch. Yes, it might be "boring" from a modern perspective where overstimulation and dopamine hits are the daily nutrient, but it is like a "meditative" movie, a movie that actually forces you into a state of meta-cognition, or a state to deep dive into your own thinking. I think we actually need more movies like this.

Kaje977 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 2:44 pm I can only recommend you giving it a watch. Yes, it might be "boring" from a modern perspective where overstimulation and dopamine hits are the daily nutrient, but it is like a "meditative" movie, a movie that actually forces you into a state of meta-cognition, or a state to deep dive into your own thinking. I think we actually need more movies like this.

Thanks, Kaje.

I was not aware of this movie. It turns out to be the predecessor of Baraka and its sequel Samsara. I guess you know them.

BTW, one meditative movie (although not of the above kind), that I have found very interesting in the past was Waking Life. However, I've seen it many years ago, in the very beginning of my spiritual journey, so I guess it won't turn that deep if I see it today.