MARCH 15, 2006
Ok,
I have not given much thought to the Academy Awards, but I must admit I think they are a symbol of the fact that we are walking into oblivion, as we entertain ourselves constantly. Entertainment - entertainment - entertainment; the modern trinity of meaning for millions of us.
I believe we are literally entertaining ourselves to extinction.
I do not know about you, but I am not a great fan of award shows for any reason, much less about entertaining us. However, I respect and admire the talents represented, especially on the technical side of the ledger, but when it is all done, it is really about nothing except entertainment. Much noise signifying nothing is maybe a little harsh on an industry that contributes much to many, but why are not billions watching the press reports about the immanent collapse of creation?
No one took on the President, and yet his policies are leading to a time in this nation when the creative voices of Hollywood may face another 1950's style inquisition and the environment becomes a forgotten issue.
It was fluff. Nice and pretty, but a lost opportunity to speak of the challenge to maintain a healthy environment for all generations of film makers.
Last year, Peter Jackson, the humble Kiwi, who looks like he belongs in Tolkien's trilogy, honed his skills with a little camera in the beautiful environment of his native New Zealand. Yet, his world is now fantasy and fiction, albeit filled with brilliant story telling and technologically advanced wizardry that would make any middle world resident proud, it reflects and marks the times. We are creating a make believe world in the theater, in our zoos and marine parks, and virtual reality is where we will eventually experience all of nature.
I did not watch much of the awards this year, and when I did, I never heard the word environment mentioned, much less any reflection on preserving the real environment for tomorrow's movie makers and goers.
I guess that is our job, but we are getting closer to the day when we will only entertain ourselves as we go extinct.
--Peter