Simpsons Vs Wells :: essays research papers fc

The advent of impertinently technology has been a source of trepidation throughout history. Just as with each change, fear is often the pervasive response to new technology and develop custodyts, especially amongst those who do not fully comprehend the changes. It seems, however, that people nescient of the true meaning and extent of technology are the most likely to egress unwarranted faith in its abilities. Technology becomes an authority&8212 whiz that is difficult to question or rebel against. After advances become accepted, self-complacency sets in, reducing the everyday publics vigilance against dangers to society in any form. This leave out of vigilance, due to an unwarranted faith in authority, is depicted and questioned in H. G. Wellss The war of the Worlds. Published in 1898, the message of Wellss work remains relevant, even in the present day. Criticisms of an unwarranted faith in authority manifest themselves in modern culture in multiple media. The Simpsons, a half-hour shake television program, represents such a manifestation. The episode entitled Barts Comet, world-class impractical on February 5, 1995, criticizes a blind allegiance to authority in any form by humorously detailing Springfields response to an approaching comet, which threatens to deflower everyone in the town. The episode parallels Wellss chronicle of the Martian invasion in its image of authority. Unwarranted faith finds an unfortunate place in presidency, religion, and science in both accounts of impending disaster. In themselves, these three fundamental elements of society do not receive criticism. The misguided 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 also those responsible for the criticizing.In The War of Worlds, the g everywherenment plays a silent role 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 electromotive force threat. In the opening lines of the novel, the publics demeanor becomes evident With infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs, serene in their arrogance of their empire over matter (Wells 3). During the height of the British governments domination of the world, through the col of its colonies and economic power, Wellss description of the peoples security in their empire over matter, over reality itself, seems most fitting.