2001: A Space Odyssey and Technology

In Arthur C. Clarke's novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, the idea of technological innovation is explored in great detail. Clarke presents three different stages of technological advancement, and explores the consequences of each. It becomes clear within the text, however, that Clarke is highly critical and suspicious of technological innovation, as he carefully depicts the dangers that his characters must face as a result of improved technology. Further complicating the question of technology in Clarke's novel is the notion that some of the technology is extraterrestrial in origin. Indeed, while in some instances it may seem that man has created these dangers, Clarke suggests that all of man's knowledge and thus, his technology, did in fact originate from extraterrestrial intelligence.

The first section of the novel, which features Moon-Watcher and his tribe, introduces us to a primeval world that has very little in the way of technology. Indeed, Clarke presents a scene that is actually quite bleak. He explains that, "In this barren and desiccated land, only the small or the swift or the fierce could flourish, or even hope to survive" (3). Moon-Watcher and the other members of his tribe do not possess the skills or tool necessary to provide for themselves, as their land is

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al is the only one who knows the true purpose the journey, and is crucial to the success of the mission. Clarke describes: The time might even come when Hal would take command of the ship. In an emergency, if no one answered his signals, he would attempt to wake the sleeping members of the crew, by electrical and chemical stimulation. If they did not respond, he would radio Earth for further orders (94). In many ways, Hal makes the lives of Bowman, Poole, and the other crew members easier. However, the technological innovation that Hal represents does not come without a price. Man has created this artificially intelligent computer, but he is not able to fully control him. When Bowman and Poole consider disconnecting Hal because they believe he is malfunctioning, Hal lures Poole outside the ship and murders him by having a space pod run him over. He then tries to kill Bowman and the other crew members by opening the ship's doors and creating a vacuum inside. In much the same way that Man has created nuclear weapons and cannot necessarily control the devastation that they bring, Bowman cannot guarantee that Hal will function properly. Indeed, as Clarke explains, "For like his makers, Hal had been created innocent;
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Approximate Word count = 1485
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)