Colossus – The Forbin Project
Colossus: The Forbin Project is a 1970 American science fiction thriller film based upon the 1966 science fiction novel Colossus written by Dennis Feltham Jones. A massive American defense computer, named Colossus, becomes sentient after being activated. It decides to assume control of the world and all human affairs for the good of mankind.
Dr. Charles A. Forbin is the chief designer of a secret government project to build Colossus, an advanced supercomputer to control the United States nuclear weapons systems. When Colossus is activated, the President of the United States announces its existence, proudly proclaims it as the perfect defense system.
Shortly afterwards, Colossus sends a cryptic message: "WARN: …show more content…
There is Forbin, the creator if Colossus, who is cool, calm and analytical. Colossus is a strange, mirror image of Forbin. This artificial child possesses all of these qualities. Colossus mirrors Forbin's biggest flaw: vanity. They are confident in their abilities to the point of arrogance. Forbin has created the ultimate computer and is blind to its dangers. He is not concerned by Colossus’ ability to exceed the parameters of his programming, but rather takes pride. Like a son, Colossus is inquisitive and seeks to learn from his creator. As Colossus grows, it wants a sense of independence and defies the father in act of adolescent rebellion. Colossus seeks to create his own son, an updated computer system that will render it obsolete, just as Colossus has rendered Forbin obsolete.
Another theme is also brilliantly illuminated. It involves the fact that Colossus "deals in the exact meaning of words." Anyone who issues Colossus an order must be extremely careful about the request. It counters that much of are human vocabulary and interaction relies heavily on personal interpretation? Ironically, Colossus has fulfills its programming by bringing the entire human race together in unity and peace. Those are the very things that the President of the United States sought. But what Colossus offers is contrary to our desire to be free from tyranny. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish
Colossus: The Forbin Project is a 1970 American science fiction thriller film based upon the 1966 science fiction novel Colossus written by Dennis Feltham Jones. A massive American defense computer, named Colossus, becomes sentient after being activated. It decides to assume control of the world and all human affairs for the good of mankind.
Dr. Charles A. Forbin is the chief designer of a secret government project to build Colossus, an advanced supercomputer to control the United States nuclear weapons systems. When Colossus is activated, the President of the United States announces its existence, proudly proclaims it as the perfect defense system.
Shortly afterwards, Colossus sends a cryptic message: "WARN: …show more content…
There is Forbin, the creator if Colossus, who is cool, calm and analytical. Colossus is a strange, mirror image of Forbin. This artificial child possesses all of these qualities. Colossus mirrors Forbin's biggest flaw: vanity. They are confident in their abilities to the point of arrogance. Forbin has created the ultimate computer and is blind to its dangers. He is not concerned by Colossus’ ability to exceed the parameters of his programming, but rather takes pride. Like a son, Colossus is inquisitive and seeks to learn from his creator. As Colossus grows, it wants a sense of independence and defies the father in act of adolescent rebellion. Colossus seeks to create his own son, an updated computer system that will render it obsolete, just as Colossus has rendered Forbin obsolete.
Another theme is also brilliantly illuminated. It involves the fact that Colossus "deals in the exact meaning of words." Anyone who issues Colossus an order must be extremely careful about the request. It counters that much of are human vocabulary and interaction relies heavily on personal interpretation? Ironically, Colossus has fulfills its programming by bringing the entire human race together in unity and peace. Those are the very things that the President of the United States sought. But what Colossus offers is contrary to our desire to be free from tyranny. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish