All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:19 pm

Anyone caught any of this 3-part series on BBC2?

Saw the third one by accident tonight and not only was it one of the most fascinating 60mins I've ever seen, albeit deeply disturbing, but also compelling viewing for anyone who 'gets' the BOC aesthetic. Was that Bibio lurking in the soundtrack for example?

Tonight's installment 'The Monkey in the Machine and the Machine in the Monkey' explored the idea of humans being merely machines, hardwired to pass on genetic code, and then asked the question whether this theory in itself is simply an excuse we've developed to explain away some of our more deplorable moments throughout recent history.

Warning: some of the footage is pretty explicit. eg. some of the images from the Rwandan civil war were especially difficult to watch.

However, this is essential viewing. If you're in the UK, check it our on iPlayerwhile you can. I'm off to watch the first two episodes.

Twoist · Post by **Twoist** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:27 pm

Watched tonight's as I did the previous episodes, partially confused, mostly enthralled, slightly impatient for a BoC tune to warble its way onto my television. I really like Adam Curtis' previous stuff, and I love many of his ideas and the choice of archive footage he splices together to support them.

There are times I've been sat here thinking, "What..?" Conclusions reached over Grand Canyon-width jumps. Like he's been trying to weld spaghetti to copper cable. But I think that's part of the joy

bleak. · Post by **bleak.** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:31 pm

highly recommended.

IanRedpoint · Post by **IanRedpoint** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:35 pm

Great stuff. Even when I don't entirely agree with his conclusions the journey is always fascinating and thought provoking.

Try to track down his series from a few years ago - The Power Of Nightmares. Stunning and horrifying.

Pantheon · Post by **Pantheon** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:00 am

I've just finished watching the 3rd installment and found it absolutely horrifying and amazing.
I dont watch any tv normaly, so thanks for pointing this out, i would have missed it otherwise.

The 3rd one is realy simmilar to an Radiolab podcast on altruism. If you enjoyed this program then I think you realy will love this podcast:

I think this is the link:
http://www.radiolab.org/2010/dec/14/

I fookin love radiolab, it so fun to listen to.

comfyrubbish · Post by **comfyrubbish** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:10 pm

Great mini series as ever from Adam Curtis. I thought is was a tad rushed in episodes 2 and 3. Maybe is should have been a 4-parter.

Anyway, in episode 1 be quotes from an essay called "on community in cyberspace" written by a lady with the handle of Humdog back in 1994, which was very prescient in its commentary on the fledgling social network world.

It was well worth a read if you are interested.

http://alphavilleherald.com/2004/05/int ... g_hum.html

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:13 pm

Having watched all 3 now, I really think this is essential viewing. Hope people outside the UK get to see it too.