What is genetic engineering, after all, but preemptive plastic surgery? Make the child perfect in the test tube, and save money later. Throw in perfect health, a high IQ and a long life-span, and you have the brave new world of "Gattaca," in which the bioformed have inherited the earth, and babies who are born naturally get to be menial laborers.
This is one of the smartest and most provocative of science fiction films, a thriller with ideas. Its hero is a man who challenges the system. Vincent (Ethan Hawke) was born in the old-fashioned way, and his genetic tests show he has bad eyesight, heart problems and a life expectancy of about 30 years. He is an "In-Valid," and works as a cleaner in a space center.
Everybody will live longer, look better and be healthier in the Gattacan world. But will it be as much fun? Will parents order children who are rebellious, ungainly, eccentric, creative, or a lot smarter than their parents are? There's a concert pianist in "Gattaca" who has 12 fingers. Don't you sometimes have the feeling you were born just in time?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Piaget, Kohlberg, and Erikson...Oh My!
Our Plan of Attack on the Leading Psychologist of DevelopmentLessons
Day 1 Major Issues, Methods, Prenatal Development, Infancy
Day 2 Childhood and Adolescence
Day 3 Adult and Later Years
Day 4 Piaget and Kohlberg
Day 5 Erikson's Psychosocial Theory of Development
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