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Friday, July 11, 2003 |
Gregory Benford on The Matrix and Theofiction
Good essay from one of our best science fiction writers on theology and fiction. The first part of the essay discusses The Matrix, and isn't really that fascinating. The second part is a nice tour through the history of science fiction that deals with religious matters.
The point of speculative ideas and science fictional treatments is not to foster propaganda (though many do so, usually too obviously and unsuccessfully), but to make us think. As a literature of change driven by technology, science fiction presents religion to a part of the reading public that probably seldom goes to church.
Movies are another matter; The Matrix Reloaded sometimes seems like the New Testament on steroids. It also suffers from the bind of superhero epics — if Neo is unstoppable, how can there be real constraint, and so suspense?
9:37:25 AM Permalink
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© Copyright 2004 Steve Michel.
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