The journal essay was written for class on "power and change in technological society". At present, I do not hold the same views and will not reach the same conclusions. However, I present the essay in its original form without editing for opinion or structure.

2001: A Space Odyssey

In many ways classic futuristic movie "2001: a space odyssey" accurately portrays many of the possibilities and dangers of technology. The movie itself is a historical and technological landmark. It was released on 1968, and it reflects upon the creators well for their accurate and imaginative predictions about the future. For instance, the voice print identification, video conferencing, intelligent machines, international space station have come to past.

Before considering the relevance of the movie to the topic and the theme, a summary of plot is provided. Five astronauts three hibernating and two active were send on a space mission. The space ship was completely controlled by a highly intelligent and arguably conscious computer system-HAL9000. The computer system was marketed to have error less performance record. During the mission the system detects an error, which proves to be erroneous upon comparison with a base station duplex system. Fearing malfunctioning of the computer system the astronauts decide to disconnect the system and manually direct the ship. Before that one of the astronauts goes on a space walk to replace some part, and suddenly he was thrown into space. His partner goes out on a small ship to rescue him, but the computer system refuses him to return. It reasons that it knows of their decision to disconnect the system, and it does not want to jeopardize the "important mission" by letting them back in. At the same time, the system malfunction and the three hibernating astronauts die. The astronaut manages to get into the ship, but he has to let go his partner into space during the process. After entering, he attempts to disconnect the HAL9000 system. As he disconnects he views a pre recorded message about their true and hidden mission, which was toward Saturn to explore certain ancient device . Suddenly, the astronaut enters into an indescribable continuum and finds him self in a lighted home, inhibited by an old man-a shadow of his old self.

The image when the astronaut in his small vehicle holding his partner requesting the system to open the door, and being refused symbolizes the man-technology relationship. The mammoth ship, product of a technocratic society makes an independent or programmed decision not to let the individual in. Like the astronauts' dependency on the HAL-system, modern man relays on computer, electrical and biotechnological systems, and when they fail, we have no manual backup.

The society decided that mission was more important than the individual. In our daily life the society decides that the technological progress is more important than individual concerns. The individual does not only feel he exerts little power extended by technology, he feels he exerts no control over technology. Engineering decisions are made in corporate, military, university research centers that average individual has no access to or influence over. Only when new weapons are showcased or when spaceships are launched or when genetic breakthroughs are made the average man hears it in the news, he is a spectator.