Here are some thoughts:
First: the basis of psychology. The part about genetic determinism at the beginning of the documentary is also explained in the public course "Introduction to Psychology" at Yale University and the public course "Threats and Performance of Stereotypes" at Stanford University. The psychology community generally agrees that the environment affects people more than the genes themselves. There is one example that stands out to me. A professor who studies criminal psychology said he studied this model for a long time and found that his genetic pattern was very similar to the structure of a perverted murderer, and their different upbringing prevented them from becoming a sociopath and becoming a a psychologist. The documentary also recognizes the importance of the environment and broadens its definition to include the environment of the fetus in the mother's body and the mental stress the mother is subjected to. And from this, it is proposed that the punishment of crime is not the fundamental solution. Change the social environment. And the philosophical thought that human nature is inherently evil is the rationale for this punishment method.
Second: When I first saw the first part of Zeitgeist a few years ago, I thought it was a radical documentary made by the American left, whose main purpose was to criticize capitalism and its values, and behave like all revolutionaries. Same, just keep complaining and let it go. And seeing the second part made me change my mind, because these people were not just laying out the facts but trying to figure out a solution. But because of the aggressive language of the second part, it’s easy to feel like another brainwashing, and reminiscent of the plots of dystopian novels like 1984. Inevitably, a wave of resistance and fear arises from the bottom of my heart. Because what we have seen in literature and film about the idea of "machines controlling people" and "centralized management systems" tends to lead us to a collective will that obliterates individual will and violates cultural diversity. The analysis of dualism in the final part of the film is an answer to this concern. And I think this part is at the heart of the whole zeitgeist brainstorming. It's a pity that there isn't much space for it. Humanity's fear of radical ideas has always existed in the process of social civilization. For individuals, the sense of security brought about by an inherent ideology is the premise of personal cognition and existence. Breaking this "inherent thought", "thinking mode", "label" or "stereotype" may have a huge impact on an individual's cognition, and even bring about violent and unbearable psychological fluctuations.
Personally, I believe that people should not be afraid of changes in their own thinking or even subversion, but need to spend more time rationally thinking about the scientificity and rationality of the subversion theory itself. And don't accept it right away. Then spend the same time in contact with related academic ideas and texts, through understanding and analysis in multiple directions, and finally draw your own conclusions.
Third: To reiterate my title, the importance of context. The same idea or model can be used in different directions. The Panopticon is an efficiency-maximizing architectural form proposed by Bentham. The architects in this film are also very bold to use it in the design of future urban models. Therefore, there is no difference between good and evil in the circular building itself, but depends on the context in which it is used. In a society dominated by the financial system and a society dominated by resources, the "maximization of efficiency" will also undergo essential changes due to different contexts and foundations.
Fourth: This film is a very informative documentary. While analyzing various social fields, it also absorbs the essence of philosophical and political theoretical ideas of different eras. Basically it belongs to a collection of works. And the "Venus Project" is also an adrenaline rush plan, here is a quote from Baidu:
The purpose and goals of the Venus/Venus Project are as follows:
1. To preserve all the resources in the world, as the common heritage.
2. Transcend all artificial boundaries that separate people.
3. From a financial and currency-oriented society to a resource-oriented (basic) world economy.
4. Do what we can to save and restore the natural environment.
5. Redesign our cities, transportation systems, and agricultural and industrial plants to be energy-efficient, clean, and convenient for all people's needs.
6. The evolution towards a computer-automated society can gradually get rid of all political needs, including regional, national, and supranational governments, as a means of social management.
7. Share and apply all new technologies for the benefit of all countries.
8. Utilize clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and tidal power.
9. Ultimately utilize the highest quality products for the benefit of all people in the world.
10. Before constructing any large-scale project, an environmental impact study is required.
11. Encourage the broadest range of creativity and incentive motives towards constructive effort.
12. Help stabilize the world's population in line with the carrying capacity of the planet through education and voluntary birth control.
13. Eliminate nationalism, bigotry and prejudice through education.
14. Eliminate any kind of elitism, technocism or otherism.
15. Methodology is reached through careful research rather than random opinion.
16. Improve communication in new schools so that our language and education are relevant to the physical conditions of the world around us.
17. Not only provides the necessities of life, but also provides challenges, stimulates the brain, and emphasizes individuality rather than unity.
18. Finally, prepare people intellectually and emotionally for possible changes in the future.
Fifth: Quote Krishnamurti twice in Zeitgeist 2. I thought it was an academic fad at first. And when I saw the end of the third part, the Venus Project repeatedly advocated in addition to material solutions, but also emphasized that it is time to change our way of life. And sure that machines can surpass humans in mechanical labor and precision, but humans can create. Human beings can choose what they want to create according to their own preferences after they have the material basis of a Datong world. And this free choice is not influenced by education, parents and mainstream ideology.
The founder of Project Venus, Jacque Fresco, is a self-taught multi-tasker and a futurist. This means that I like and identify with most of the radical elements in his thought. Because futurism first originated in the field of art. Architects are also the best channel for art and theory to act on society through technological means. From an artistic point of view these seemingly crazy ideas represent the love and passion of a deep soul for human beings.
Sixth: Gandhi is mentioned at the end of the film. The information we can get is what the requirements of Project Venus are for each of us. It's brainstorming, it's thinking, it's pauses, it's "non-cooperation". Not a violent movement. Because various analyses point out that the financial system will self-destruct, and people need to be prepared to face change.
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