I have been wrestling with something since watching Gattaca through the eyes of a utopian class. We see this image of a world where people are not born equal, and that bothers us.... deeply. But should it? Should it really? I mean, we aren't born equal, are we?
Some people are smarter than others. Some people are stronger than others. Any trait we admire, some have more and some have less. Health, beauty, stamina, wit... on and on. Most people have things that they excel in to cover those weaknesses to some extent. Some people are really beautiful and really stupid. Others might be dazzlingly intelligent and not be in the best of physical health. We accept in general that people's good points somehow balance with their faults and everyone comes out roughly equal in the end... but that's just not true is it?
Look at the example that Gattaca gives us: Astronauts. Astronauts have to be scientists of the highest orders with IQs that make me feel as small as a mouse. But they also have to be in peak physical condition and go through hellish tests even then. Anti gravity training cuts out even the smartest and most physically fit people if they throw up. This is not a job people get easily now without crazy qualifications. So yeah, he had a heart defect. But this would prevent him from being an astronaut now too.
I don't think that its fair that he is stuck as a janitor either of course. With his intelligence and drive he could have made an excellent scientist or professor. But an astronaut? It seems irresponsible to me. In the throws of the movie, you want him to succeed But what happens when he is orbiting Titan and he goes into cardiac arrest because his heart can't take it? All of his peers suddenly have to deal with his death and the work that he was meant to do. He is their NAVIGATOR. How are they going to get home in an emergency if he is dead or incapacitated because he lied about his health? That's like men who sign up to become soldiers who lie about their health history. It's a bad idea, isn't it? ...isnt it?
Does this make me a horrible person? >.<
It doesn't make you a horrible person at all! I had actually thought the same thing. There are all kinds of rules and regulations about jobs and health today. I mean seriously you can't even enroll in school without certain vaccines. Yes, it seems slightly unethical to go around testing to find out genes but every job I've had I had to go in for a drug test. In my eyes the job of an astronaut and its' requirements need the most physically and mentally fit so go ahead and test.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean Sarah. I think a big problem is the ambiguity of what we mean by "equal" in today's world. To many, "equal" is synonymous with "identical." To others, it may mean equality of opportunity.
ReplyDeleteFor such a small word, it sure has a lot of ambiguity. It can be interpreted in so many ways.
Yes, this is the problem. People should have equal rights and equal oppertunities, but that isnt a reason to give someone a job for which they are not qualified. One person is perfect for a job, but has a disability, they should absolutely be hired over a healthier less qualified person.... But i shouldnt get a job by barging into an office and demanding to have it even if inam not educated or smart enough to do it.... See what i mean?
DeleteThis doesn't make you a horrible person! I actually agree with what you're saying. It was incredibly irresponsible for Vincent to want to be an astronaut. And then to sneak around and pretend he's a different person in order to do it? Stupid. Yes, it was his dream, but he is jeopardizing the lives of other people in order to attain it. The movie actually seems incredibly unrealistic to me, even in terms of a Utopian world.
ReplyDeleteI think you brought up a good point here. But don't worry about the IQ thing.
ReplyDeleteI think that what you're saying is completely true. Vincent was incredibly irresponsible and self-centered. This shows the drive his character had, as well as Eugene's drive. Neither cared about the risks they were taking or the lives they were endangering. They both had a dream that they were determined to see lived out. I personally think that all people should be given an opportunity to try whatever job they want. However if allowing that person to do that duty is putting that person or other's lives at risk, they should be prevented from doing so. I know that I seem to be talking over myself, but it really should be a case by case basis.
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