2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay was written by Kubrick and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, and was inspired by Clarke's 1951 short story "The Sentinel" and other short stories by Clarke. Clarke also published a novelisation of the film, in part written concurrently with the screenplay, after the film's release. The film stars Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, and Douglas Rain and follows a voyage by astronauts, scientists, and the sentient supercomputer HAL to Jupiter to investigate an alien monolith.

The film is noted for its scientifically accurate depiction of space flight, pioneering special effects, and ambiguous imagery. Kubrick avoided conventional cinematic and narrative techniques; dialogue is used sparingly, and there are long sequences accompanied only by music. The soundtrack incorporates numerous works of classical music, including pieces by composers such as Richard Strauss, Johann Strauss II, Aram Khachaturian, and György Ligeti.

The film received diverse critical responses, ranging from those who saw it as darkly apocalyptic to those who saw it as an optimistic reappraisal of the hopes of humanity. Critics noted its exploration of themes such as human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning Kubrick the award for his direction of the visual effects. The film is now widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made.

Megathreads and spaces to hang out:

reminders:

  • 💚 You nerds can join specific comms to see posts about all sorts of topics
  • 💙 Hexbear’s algorithm prioritizes comments over upbears
  • 💜 Sorting by new you nerd
  • 🌈 If you ever want to make your own megathread, you can reserve a spot here nerd
  • 🐶 Join the unofficial Hexbear-adjacent Mastodon instance toots.matapacos.dog

Links To Resources (Aid and Theory):

Aid:

Theory:

  • SoylentSnake [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    8 months ago

    anyone have good firsthand experiences with the fabled "cool individual DSA chapter that does good work that isn't electoral (despite central leadership being electoralist libs who suck)"? ive flirted with my local chapters on and off for a while and honestly they seem pretty deeply entrenched in electoralism, with a not insignificant undercurrent of left punching toward anyone who is more direct working class power oriented and/or more marxist than dem sosh (with even some unironic "tankie" being thrown around).

    guess im looking for any evidence that this is an institution that's worth engaging at all instead of just giving up on...

    • homhom9000 [she/her]
      ·
      8 months ago

      I only have experience with 1 chapter and it was pretty electoral focused. There were lots of others member I met in the org that didn't agree with electoral work too but nothing really came from it beyond some members being elected into steering-but still having to focus on National.

      I still think there's a benefit to sticking around and trying to find a place outside of electoral work, if there is any.