2001: A Space Odyssey (Part 2)

As always there are spoilers ahead!

This is episode one of a four-episode mini-series. To make things even more confusing Episode 1 has two parts. This is part 2. If you have arrived here before treading the ground of part 1 turn back now!

The idea is to most definitely watch the film before listening to the episode. If you don't want to do that and still want an overview of the film and the plot you can check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey

Please refer to these very show notes for some extra information or clarification. (Yes I'm repeating the same text from part 1. Do you even know how busy I've been and now I must copy and paste to get this out on time!)

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Thankfully my two guests are heavy weight bearing beams (of light?). I am indeed getting my metaphors in a mix. That makes no sense. Apologies.

Michael Benson is an artist, filmmaker and author of a range of exciting books including the magnificently comprehensive 2018 Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece.

Scott Bukatman is a cultural theorist and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Stanford University. He has written extensively about popular culture with a focus on how it mediates between modern technologies and the human experience. He is also the author of the wonderful BFI book on Blade Runner.

Clarification: The quote I use near the beginning "Politics and religion are obsolete. The time has come for science and spirituality" originates from Indian philosopher Vinoba Bhave. Arthur C Clarke used the quote in a keynote address. Kubrick underlines the second half in his copy of the speech. (Michael then goes on to open his fantastic book with this quote.)

28:25 The concept of a technological singularity is a theoretical scenario in which technology increasingly becomes so advanced that is has unpredictable and irreversible effects ono humanity.

34:13 JPL is short for Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

48:23 Mad magazine's parody of 2001 is available to view here: https://www.tumblr.com/keirdullea/34795391907/201-minutes-of-space-idiocy-a-mad-magazine

Lastly: I concede that my internet search for the giant baby may have led me to some very dubious sources.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

19:00 The Sublime

11:30 Kubrick's minimalism

20:32 HAL

34:58 Doug Trumbull and George Lucas' Star Wars droids

37:57 Slow pace and filming restrictions

39:58 Legacy

46:50 Recommendations for the listener

Recommendations

Childhood's End and The Sentinel both by Arthur C Clarke

201 (minutes of) A Space Idiocy by Mad Magazine. (Link above)

NEXT EPISODE!

In the next episode we will be prepping to discuss the special effects of 2001 in two weeks' time!