Techno-Triumphalism in 2012 'Biblical' Flood
I finally gave in and watched the action blockbuster '2012', an apocalyptic scenario
based on the end of the Mayan calendar and prophecy of doomsday. I new
what to expect but I watched it anyway.
As well as a hearty smattering of unbelievable stunts, mind blowing
visual effects and predictable outcomes was the unmissable parallels
with the bible story of Noah and his ark (part of the deluge myth)
modernized for a civilization whose faith in technology surpasses their
common sense.
The movie tells the story of fragmented nuclear family attempting to
reach a secret ark somewhere in the Chinese mountains while the world is
destabilized and eventually engulfed by ginormous tidal waves, all a
result of mutated neutrinos emanating from the sun.
Of course 'tickets' on the arks are limited and only available to the
highest bidder or well connected. Our heroes stow away in beneath the
animal deck but inadvertently cause the main hatch to jam. We watch,
bathed in classical music, as the giant steel boat with all its face
tracking, integrity assessing, timer activating computers takes on water
and is driven towards the rocky face of Mount Everest.
Never fear, just before the impact timer runs out they close the hatch,
start the engines and avoid disaster.
Presumably the waters recede and people get on with their lives.
I'm not sure how much thought went into the plot of this movie or any
message behind it but it certainly seems to reflect modern the common
modern attitude and faith that a technological fix will save the day.
This is what is referred to as techno-triumphalism.
Movies like this, while playing to peoples desire for excitement and a
happy ending, do more than just entertain, they indoctrinate. With clear
and growing issues such as climate change, population and resource
depletion staring us in the face we need to be proactive to avert the
course for disaster. Sitting back and hoping for a technical fix and a
happy ending is sure to end in tragedy.
Perhaps there is another metaphor here? One where those who can see the
danger coming do something about it, substituting the steel ark with
more appropriate course of action and live to see some kind of uncertain
future while those who refuse to acknowledge the issues before they are
too late are lost to the rising tide.