Posted by
Stuart Caesar on Tuesday, December 08, 2009 12:23:56 AM
In light of hacked e-mails that prove scientists have been covering up data that proves scientists have been covering up data that would disprove Global Warming; should Al Gore be forced to return his Oscar ? The simple answer is no. The question is, what catagory should he have been nominated in? He won in the documentary catagory, but in light of recent revelations regarding the validity of his subject matter, perhaps docu-drama would have suited his film better. If we re-route his award to this category, he doesn't have to change anything about his film. As a docu-drama, he can feel comfortable playing fast and loose with the scientific evidence; and still scare the bejesus out of people with photo-shop images of polar ice caps melting asnd polar bears drowning.He could still maintain his audiencewithout the messy details of factual evidence to worry about.
Hell, his film will still do better than the recent release 2012,that uses ancient Mayan calendars to prove the end of the world is fast approaching; despite the fact that the Mayans themselves say that this was not the meaning at all. But again, why let evidence and the truth interfere with a great concept for a film? Actually, in many ways, Al Gore's "An Inconvienent Truth"is really the sequel to 1970's scare-tactic pseudo-science docu-drama ,"The Hellstrom Chronicles". In this film, persecuted scientist Dr. Hellstrom, who has been shunned by his peers for his extreme views; tries to warn the general public of the coming threat of,...wait for it.....Insect Invasion!!! Blending real facts on insects and their behavior patterns,with an "Alien Takeover" fear tactic; the film creates a compelling arguement for the very strong possibility that insects could easily, if they wanted to, wipe us out as a species.; just by overwhelming force of numbers and their ability to survive any catastrophe. All very compelling , and very frightening ; especially since it had a great deal of factual info on what insects are really capable of.
But, the film is science fiction, pretending to be science fact, just like ,"An Inconvienent Truth". Both films are effective for one reason;they use science facts to weave their webs of fiction and it's those basic facts that sell the films to the audience. The one fatal flaw in both films however, is that they impose human traits and attitudes on two separate forces of nature that are; in reality, quite oblivious to man; and function without malice, or agenda, or concern for human influence, or human paranioa.; and will continue to do so, long after man has ended his brief stay on this ever changing , ever evolving, planet that will, eventually grow weary of our continued presence, and will shake us off , like a dog shaking off fleas.
But don't despair ; doom and gloom enthusiasts.There is still plenty of time for Mr. Gore to play sorcerers apprentice once again, and conjure up another Apocalyptic drama that will once again exploit man's greatest weakness as a species; over weening pride and arrogance.