The Reconciliation of Humanity With Technology

Rating: 10/10 (24 August 2015)

Throughout the history of produced fiction a common theme is the conflict between humanity and technology. This conflict arises from the idea that humanity is a pure concept capable of achieving anything while technology is limited by the design intended by it's creator. The normal conclusion drawn from this is that anything produced from technology cannot be greater than humanity as humanity is not a quantifiable element that can be reproduced.
In the film Interstellar, a story is told in which a group of explorers go to another galaxy via a wormhole to try to find a new planet to live on as the Earth is dying. The film explores concepts such as how Relativity actually works, Love as a measurable physical thing and humanity within machines. While the film deals with many more issues (many existing within the realm of the philosophical), these mentioned ideas are prevalent throughout the whole film.
The protagonists of the film leave Earth in a noble effort to try to save all of humanity from an ecological disaster. The motivations of these characters are unselfish and prosocial at it's most basic element. As the story progresses the audience learns that one character, Dr. Brand has personal reasons for going on the expedition, that an antagonist character Dr. Mann (ironically named) has a absolute sole motivation of achieving the mission only for the sake of it. This includes minimizing the importance of the existence of other people around him.
We are also introduced to a couple of artificial characters. Despite these characters being created by members of humanity they display an authentic range of emotions. These emotions include humor, sarcasm, a preference for caution and trust. While the humans can set the level of each of these emotions, the artificial beings display authentic and healthy responses. They assist the goals of the protagonists and help keep them on course with the larger noble goals.
Interstellar presents several positive themes and one of many that it got right is that a person can be better than it's parent. It reinforces themes that a person is in charge of their life and how they are in control of their own life rather than just a product of their parents.