Wednesday, December 2, 2009

2012


"I know we've been forced to make difficult decisions to save our human civilization, but to be human means to care for each other, and civilization means to work together to create a better life. If that's true then there's nothing human and nothing civilized about what we're doing here." (Roland Emerich, 2012)

In the recent film, 2012, the idea of civilization arises as an issue around the point that could be considered as the climax of the movie. This part of the film has the protagonist bring up the question as to what it means to be civilized and human in order to save a very large number of people.

Emerich's view on the definition of civilization isn't at all specific in this quote but the context it is used in helps to impress upon us the significance of the equality of human lives. Civilization being a means to create a better life through human relationships is essentially a pillar of what the definition of being civilized is. Human beings helping each other in order to move forward with discoveries, wealth, and cultural advancement is constantly something that is seen in history when new eras rise and old ones fall. Therefore, Emerich's mention of civilization within his film doesn't at all stray from the truth of what we could consider being civilized human beings.

1 comment:

  1. I have yet to see the movie but from this post and the false statement of civilization i will have to stay away from it. I agree that humans must help humans in order to be civilized. Without relationships and bonds the world would not be the place it is today and nothing would have been created. Good job.

    ReplyDelete

Comments from individuals other than registered authors are most welcome. Your comments, however, are moderated by the site administrator. We reserve the right to reject comments we deem inappropriate or irrelevant. Thanks for your interest in The Great Conversation blogspot.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.