Technological Determinism and Singularity in Clarke & Kubrick's 2001: a Space Odyssey

Abstract

Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick's timeless work of science fiction, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) offers a visionary insight on various philosophical issues. This article discusses that 2001's central focus fundamentally relies on technological determinism, leading to technological singularity and, eventually, a posthuman existence of the human race. While outlining technological determinism, the article also sheds light on its relationship with associated key concepts such as normative phenomena, permissionless innovation and technocratic governing mentalities. These notions mainly reveal Clarke and Kubrick's views of the universe, which are embedded in the subtext of the novel and the film. While comparing and contrasting the novel and the film, the study puts forward their similarities and differences. The theoretical framework explores technological determinism, singularity and posthumanism with references to various sources and the following section puts the novel/film in spotlight by demonstrating how and to what extent Clarke and Kubrick have manifested their ideas regarding technological determinism and singularity in this complex masterpiece contemplating the author's and director's unique extrapolations of humanity's future. The article concludes that Clarke and Kubrick signal the coming of the posthuman era.