SPOILER Amazing! the theme of Antithesis

Rating: Null/10 (3 September 2004)

This film is one of the most brilliant themes of any movie I have ever seen. It speaks to the issue of man's existence in a philosophical sense, rather than a physical one. We as a species have evolved to the point where we exist as people first and animals second; our evolution has become intellectual. Tyler Durden says, "you are not your bank account, you are not the contents of you wallet, you are not your job..." etc. etc. He is right, we are a conglomerate of opinions, we are what we think. With that in mind, this film is also the most dangerous statement of philosophy I can imagine. I am 19, and a member of the "generation lost to apathy." Mankind's greatest sin is apathy. This movie says it is OK to give up on the system because it has given up on you. The system has not given up on you. I felt this way from my intellectual expansion at about age 14, until the last few months when I have undergone an even greater change. That is, I am my own reason for existence. Each person is their own reason for existence, the word and the will of "I" is sacred. This movie is the antithesis of "I," as all the action takes place from a "we" point of view. Tyler Durden's alter-ego is created because he cannot fulfill himself. Men empty of any real knowledge of self join a destructive cult as an outlet for their fear. Everyone is afraid to be alone until you learn to love yourself, that is the only answer. This explanation leaves much to be explained, but the scope of this topic is too large for the 1,000 word limit. Instead I would suggest anyone that is interested in this theme (on either side, whether you think it is the truth, or whether you think that it is dangerous and destructive), should read some of the following literature, and watch some of the following movies. Books: Catcher in the Rye- J.D Salinger, Zenn and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainence- Robert Pirsing, Two Views of a River- Mark Twain, Brave New World-Aldus Huxley, The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (there is a 5 book series)- Douglas Adams, Atlas Shrugged-Ayn Rand (difficult read), Anthem-Ayn Rand (easy read), The Prince-Machiavelli, and Alienation of Labor-Karl Marx. Movies: The Life of David Gale, Butterfly Effect, Donnie Darko, K-PAX, The Truman Show, A Beautiful Mind, Vanilla Sky, Dead Poets Society, Patch Adams, The Matrix, and Forrest Gump.