Technology and the humanities: interdisciplinary perspectives

Technology

There are a slew of Hollywood movies that directly or indirectly address the role of technology and its impact on human society and individual psychology. From 2001: A Space Odyssey to Wall-E, films about technology cause viewers to think about their own relationship with machines. One such movie is the 1997 film Contact, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, and James Woods. Based on a book written by renowned scientist Carl Sagan, Contact is about the partially government-funded Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project. Rooted in real life scientific endeavors, Contact is about the men and women dedicated to using technology to foster a greater human understanding of the Earth's and humanity's place within the universe. The film shows that technology is often mistrusted as a means by which to expand human consciousness; and that the masses of humanity too often fear technology because of the radical changes it would bring to our lifestyle and ways of thinking.

Contact is about the withdrawal of funding to projects that would investigate extraterrestrial intelligence. Because of the lack of results rendered by the SETI project, scientists like Ellie (Jodie Foster) in the film are left feeling undervalued. Using what is essentially old technology: radio signals and receivers, the SETI employees like Ellie (Jodie Foster) are committed to making a breakthrough in communicating with extraterrestrial beings.

The film makes a radical statement about technology: that seemingly old and primitive techniques and technologies can be used to create major breakthroughs. It is not the type of technology but how it is used that determines its effectiveness. Therefore, the main message of Contact is that technology is only as powerful as human beings allow it to be. The film also suggests that it is possible that the most simple basis of technology: ie. mathematics, is what will truly drive a paradigm shift such as one that would result from extraterrestrial contact.

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI searches and otherwise) is one of many valuable scientific endeavors that have become belittled due to a lack of patience or funding. Therefore, Contact addresses a very real problem related to the human relationship with technology. Unless it sells -- and sells fast -- technology is deemed useless.

Technology is a tool for human beings, one that can be used for both good and evil. When technology is only used as a means of education and scientific research, its profitability is only secondary. Films like Contact show that major corporations that fund scientific research would do best to allow for experimental and non-lucrative projects that have the potential to radically transform humanity. If more companies risked their investments on inventors researching free energy and alternative energy, it is possible that the next scientific breakthrough would be reached tomorrow rather than next year. Contact is about the conflict between profitability and productivity on the part of scientists.