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by Samuel Bak
OT00443B1 New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Memorial
by Samuel Bak
I saw the father in the film as trusting fully in his knowledge and abilities; he did not consider God. His computer and his knowledge became all the answers he needed about nature, life and strategy and he had grown to put all his faith in them. His son began to notice that there was an uncontrolable world out there that answers were not available for and he began to lose faith in the computer's ability. The son realized that there were answers beyond what the computer could give. It teaches me that we have to be careful when we no longer feel the need to call out to God and ask for assistance. At that point we have found other things and people we depend on that we replace God with.
ReplyDeleteIn this film, we see the father holding the computer in such high regard, that he did not allow anyone to touch it, to look at, explore it. It was something that was for him, and yet he took what it said and how it predicted things (such as the thickness of the ice and the weight of the boy) for those whom he was close to very seriously. He allowed family to be 'protected' if you will through the computer, but that's it. At one point, it appears that he is so focused on the computer and it's predictions that we was not able to really see the man at the side of the pond. When one is so focused on other things than God, they see other people but don't really see them. It is when we have other gods before us, the things we worship that get between us and God, we are unable to see the Other. These very things that get between us and God, find their way between us and the Other.
ReplyDeleteAs I began to wonder about the final statement, "I am ready" that we saw on the computer and realized that one might take it two different ways. It was as if the computer had to say I am ... ready. I thought about that and went back to the times when YHWH only said "I AM" There was no need for YHWH to say more, that statement of "I AM" speaks volumes. The second thought lies with the computer saying "I am ready" as if to say I'm ready, are you? Levnis talks about the “Here I am” the response that is given as an acknowledgement of responsibility to the Other. Here the computer states I am ready, for what? (worship, attention) the computer has a need in order for it to continue to exits but the “I Am” of God has no need it infinity, in the” Here I am” response is the acknowledgement of the commanded to see and be responsible for the other.
The echo of the computer that reads "I am ready”, first came to my mind was “Who is ready for what?” A father, a physics professor, shows a man who has more faith in computers and logic than in God, and his young son shows a child who is curious about why people die and whether God exists. While the first Commandment does say, "Thou shall have no other Gods but me". I think, the phrase, “I am ready” on the screen of the computer is not questioning a lack of faith in God as he himself admitted to not following any particular religion, but it seems to me that he had been believing in so called "a private God". He seems to be challenging the notion of following a philosophical group, religious or otherwise, blindly. It is deeply ironic as shaking me to wake up to the harsh realities of the world.
ReplyDeleteAfter a second time with the film, I began to see the computer as emblematic of the Father's cognition and psyche. The deductive responses of the computer seemed to symbolize the Father's process of problem solving and suddenly we come to the end of the film and the computer says "I am ready". Perhaps it is a sign of the broken, the disruption of the standard operating procedures and suddenly the death of his son has left him open; he is raw, hurting, his heart has been ruptured. This implies "I am ready" to let go of tightly held control over present reality. I am ready to accept the past. I am ready to really grieve my loss of the son who I assumed would always be part of reality. I am ready to accept responsiblity for my actions--both with my family and my lack of action within the community to which I did not necessarily contribute loving kindness.
ReplyDelete( Danielle & Q)
ReplyDeleteThe messages in this film really hit home for those who put other things before God. The last scene when the computer displayed “I’m ready” left me speechless. Our take on the film, was that the computer wanted additional contact to continue to solve life day to day issues for the father. Only God can handle such a task. The father had no spirituality or connection with God. The son was thirsty for God’s word. The son was a gift from God. The father was not able to share the bread of life with his precious son. Also the father should had a PLAN B , at the moment he realized his son was missing he should immediately fell on his knees and start praying and ask God for forgiveness, and turn his life over to Christ. Living in a post modern society with all the new technologies, Only God has the key to our paths.
In response to the first commandment, the mesage "I am ready" represents all the gods that are ready to take the place of Yahweh. Material goods, love, personal pride, carrer, all stand ready to take our focus and to become more important than God.
ReplyDeleteBlog Post No. 4: Kieslowski Film (Ken/Carla)
ReplyDeleteI thought it was significant when the ink spilled over the paper as if to say that when the ice melted and Pavel fell into the ice water prophecy sort of speak have come to past. Spilling the ink must have meant something in that society because when the ink w as spilled it seems to have taken him back. Culturally speaking different incident means different things and in this case it appears that it meant something bad was going to happen. The father believed in the miracle of science, the unpredictability of life. The “I am ready” from the computer can have many significance, for instance, it could mean that it’s ready to work, to resume business as usual without any feeling, thoughts or cares about what happened to Pavel, ready for action, ready to be used or ready to be measured once again.
But even moreso, the idea of being “ready” could mean – I have been prepared by God through grace, salvation, love and forgiveness in orde that I might be with Him in that Heavenly Place.
Note: Professor I just posted the other three did not put Carla and my name of the heading
As opposed to "I am the Lord your God," 'I am ready' is what is waiting for the father. The father who lost his child goes back to the computer which ate up his son. Who knows if the computer is saying I am ready to consume you too. Perhaps, in the light of the first commandment, where God rescued the people from slavery, the computer which becomes the consultor puts people into slavery; the God that saves is being compared with the god (computer) that kills and takes away.
ReplyDeleteAdultery group
The film was interesting and thought provoking, as it caused me to pause long enough to examine some of my own life decisions. Haven't we all at one time of another failed to keep God in the forefront of all of our decisions and plans. Sometimes in this human form it becomes easier to rely on other people and other things, rather than put all of our trust, and hopes in the Living God.
ReplyDeleteYes, the computer was always ready, whenever the father was ready to use it, and it did not ask of him anything in return. It was easier to rely on facts, and data, than to interact in relationship with the Living God, and those around him. Mainly, because requires takes work, it requires interaction through conversation, and spending time together, it requires a relationship when dealing with human beings, with feelings, and emotions. There will always be false gods ready, and available for those of us who are looking for shortcuts in this life.
Yet, at the same time the True and Living God is always waiting, expecting, and ready to drawn us into the shelther of loving and faithful arms.
The father in the film relied on his science and technology to give him assurance in his life. He relied on formulas to predict the future for him. He did not take into account the unknown variables in life and the all-knowing God. He only would account for the variables that he could identify. We have to all remember that life is full of variables that we do not see, hear, smell or know about. However, God knows all things and if we put Him first, he can guide us through the minefield called life. The message on the computer for me was symbolic of the father’s moment of decision. He had to decide, “whom this day you will serve.” Would the father choose to continue to serve and rely on technology or serve and rely on God?
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