Simpsons Vs Wells :: essays research papers fc

The advent of new technology has been a etymon of trepidation throughout history. Just as with any change, fear is often the pervasive response to new technology and developments, especially amongst those who do not fully comprehend the changes. It seems, however, that wad ignorant of the true meaning and cessation of technology are the most likely to place unwarranted belief in its abilities. Technology becomes an authority&8212one that is difficult to question or rebel against. After advances become accepted, complacency sets in, reducing the general realitys forethought against dangers to society in any form. This lack of vigilance, due to an unwarranted conviction in authority, is depicted and questioned in H. G. Wellss The War of the Worlds. Published in 1898, the put across of Wellss work remains relevant, even in the present day. Criticisms of an unwarranted religion in authority manifest themselves in modern culture in multiple media. The Simpsons, a half-hour anima ted television program, represents such a manifestation. The episode entitled Barts Comet, first aired on February 5, 1995, criticizes a guile allegiance to authority in any form by humorously detailing Springfields response to an approaching comet, which threatens to destroy everyone in the town. The episode parallels Wellss history of the Martian invasion in its depiction of authority. Unwarranted faith finds an black place in government, religion, and science in both accounts of impending disaster. In themselves, these three fundamental elements of society do not attain criticism. The misdirect trust people sometimes place in these institutions, relying on them as unquestioned and unquestionable authorities, receives the brunt of the censure in both works. The townspeople themselves receive their fair share of reproach as well. In both works, the people criticized include not only the general middle- to upper-class communities, but withal those responsible for the criticizi ng.In The War of Worlds, the government plays a silent subroutine that finds its reflection in the attitudes of the townspeople upon the first arrival of the Martian cylinder. Here, the ignorance of the public manifests itself in the cavalier attitudes of the people toward the potential threat. In the opening lines of the novel, the publics conduct becomes evident With infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe to the highest degree their little affairs, serene in their assurance of their empire over matter (Wells 3). During the top side of the British governments domination of the world, through the spread of its colonies and economic power, Wellss description of the peoples certification in their empire over matter, over reality itself, seems most fitting.