Firefly

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[edit] Frontier Mentalities

Firefly may seem an odd choice for representation of technology; however, with regard to the many and diverse representations of technology throughout the short-lived program (2002) and tie-in film Serenity (2005) are almost more representative of current technological issues in contemporary periods. In relating to both preliminary and later representations there are no robots in the show. There are no cyborgs.

So why examine it? A as a program that does not consciously attempt to even examine robots it seems an odd choice. However, their lack of integration speaks volumes. The integration of technology into the program is diffident in many ways. That relation of those-who-use-technology and those-who-don't-use-technology is distinct -- and generally related to class. When examining Mr. Universe throughout the film, this comes to distinct light.

The show represents a variety of fringe groups -- often interacting with a "higher" class in negative ways. Often, too, the representation of these "upper class" people who use technology is represented in a highly unattractive manner ("Heart of Gold" for instance -- in which the lazer gun fails).

The mentality of hard, increasingly physical and incredulously representative of a future in which people are doing more by hand, work as a mainstay of "proper" and "fulfilling" work is consistent. Though Serenity is a space ship, the "boat" has none of the traditional anti-septic science-fiction mainstays with "proper" furniture. The spaces are all predominantly hacked-together, often more "rustic" than even contemporary programs.

[edit] The Introduction

Though this "teaser" was created by a fan, it offers a relevant understanding of some of the mainstay-issues

The obvious Western tropes are heavily in place with the cowboys wandering around and still using horses in many cases.


[edit] Terraforming

As a political allegory the issues of terraforming is somewhat obvious. The inherent fears relating to the improper creation of

"Every planet that has been terraformed for human life has its own little quirks. Turns out that the air down underground mixed up with the ore processors is a recipe for bowdens." (The Train Job)

Bowdens malady[1] is a fictitious illness that is supposedly caused by terraforming on this "outer" planet. With this in place, it may be easy to assume that the influx of technology into these worlds are not well accepted. Where the mining is completed, and with the train being easily seen, the show exemplifies an interesting dichotomy. The land is dirty and frontier like in regard to the mise-en-scene, and yet there is technology that can be used should it be required. However, much as the structure represents -- this is reserved for the rich who need it for "security" or "at play". The poor on the fringes of the "outerworlds" are those that resort to using cattle and horses for transportation.


[edit] You Git Those Gorram Things Outta Here

Firely is a program that represents technology in an interesting light. As with work, most who use technology are at distinct odds of the cavalier Serenity-crew. Technological usage of items are those that are both easily procured to be sold off for the crew, or the first thing to fail. Serenity "herself" fits in a more mechanical sense -- though in "Out of Gas" the ship did backfire and almost killed the entire crew. Technology is the first thing to be seen as incongruously "improper" which is intriguing for a non-dystopian science fiction narrative.

Basic things like guns are even conceivably "old fashioned" -- the weapons generally following through more mechanical workings like the Gun That Won the West[2] the Winchester "repeating" rifles. These guns are simplistic but do not break or run out of energy -- in direct comparison to the lazer weapons that continually fail throughout the narrative arcs.

((Please be aware these links contain "spoilers" regarding major plot points throughout the film Serenity))

The one exception is, conceivably Mr Universe [3] who has a brief appearance in the film. Mr. Universe spends his time surrounding by screens and media culture, and lives with his love-bot. [4]

[edit] See also

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ [http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/The_Train_Job Bowdens
  2. ↑ Winchester Repeating Rifle. http://cowichanbay.net/winchesterguns/index.html. Accessed Feb. 2008
  3. ↑ http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/List_of_minor_characters_in_Firefly#Mr._Universe
  4. ↑ http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Gynoid
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