University of California New Technology Results in Superhero Genre Film Discussion

Explore the meaning implicit in the psychology of the monster/super hero genre of literature and film that has permeated popular culture since the publishing of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus in 1818. (By the way she was 18 when it was first published and she wrote it at a weekend party!) Other examples of science going wrong include the X-men and the Avengers, as well as cultural icons like Godzilla who was inspired by the above ground hydrogen bomb test witnessed by some passing Japanese fishermen in 1954. You could also choose any one of the “evil” mad scientists from the James Bond series or movies like Okja or Ex Machina. Just keep in mind the origin of the theme must be rooted in science or technology.

Once you have chosen a character, film, novel or other media. Brief summary of how science goes wrong in your example and then explore what this might mean about our collective social feeling about the potential dark side of science. Where does this fear come from and how does it manifest in our culture. For example, Godzilla is the manifestation of nuclear power created by science out of control and the destruction and suffering he causes emanate from experiences in Japan in WW2 and so many were inspired to protest nuclear proliferation, especially in Japan, after the first Godzilla was released in 1954. Fast forward to the most recent iteration of Godzilla where the other monsters represent one side of an issue and Godzilla a counterpoint, but what was the real issue and what did Godzilla represent in this case? Your initial post should be several paragraph.

No more than 2 pages