BSG & Philosophy: What have you learned from the show?

Television, Movies Games and Books BSG-2003
#1

The subtitle of my book, ‘Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy,’ is ‘Knowledge Here Begins Out There.’

http://www.amazon.com/Battlestar-Galactica-Philosophy-Blackwell-Culture/dp/1405178140/ref=sr_1_4/102-0097056-1516975?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186331869&sr=1-4

Of course, this is an allusion to the preamble of the original series, but it also refers to the fact that sci-fi provides a realm where, as Ray Bradbury once noted, “the philosopher can roam just as freely as he [or she] chooses.”

So as we come to the close of BSG, it’s worth reflecting on what new insights, moral lessons, or metaphysical musings the series has provoked. In other words, how has BSG inspired you to look at yourself, humanity, or the universe as a whole in a new, different, or more enlightened way?

Or, conversely, is it just a good sci-fi TV show w/ great acting, writing, directing, and special effects?

#2

BSG & Philosophy: What have you learned from the show?
When Life gives you lemons, make napalm.

#3

I can’t say that it’s changed my life in any way, but it definitely has been one of the most sought after hours of my week for 5 years. It’s the first scifi(sorry SyFy) show that I’ve watched regularly since the original when I was all of 7 years old. To a more transitive extent were it not for BSG I would never have been open to watching a show like Lost (which I love). I think they should invent a term for great drama in a science fiction universe.

Scidrama
Scifi for Grownups
Moorism
Abramistic
Adamadrama

#4

When life gives you algae. Cry and trash your quarters.

Or is it, Kill your parents?

Frak everyone in the fleet, maybe?

I’ll have to think on this one…

#5

“Peoples is peoples.”

 -- the wise Greek café owner from Muppets in Manhattan
#6

Many aspects of the show have deeply touched my heart and soul.
But this pretty much sums up the deeper meaning:
http://www.battlestargalactica-wiki.com/page/Battlestar%20Galactica%20Frakmap?t=anon

#7

LOL - that is really cool. :smiley:

#8

Why do I picture PhilosopherJedi slowly shaking his head, in an almost mournful fashion?

#9

Your picture was accurate until I got to the “frakmap” – that frakkin’ made my day!

#10

Hum, there is no hope for any of us.

and

We are terrible as a race. Agent Smith was wright we are a virus.

Oh and be a selfish bastard and you will get all the ladies.

Kidding aside its an unforgiving portrait of our society. I don’t know if we can get anything out of it except respect other people and things and try to be better.

#11

Be excellent to each other.
I’ve been facinated since the first season with the cylon belief in a one true god, and the colonial polytheism.
I hope this is addressed again before the curtain drops.

#12

Glad you liked that! Somebody posted that on Twitter yesterday I thot it was great.
I didn’t mean to mock the premise this thread, so my apologies for that.
Going for the easy laugh is easier than thinking sometimes. Also, the hair stands up on the back of my neck sometimes when I see the word “Philosophy” because it sometimes can be code for “Let’s talk about Religion”. And I’m not very interested in religion other than in a historical perspective and so on.

Anyway, yes I like the notion that as you say sci-fi provides a realm where, as Ray Bradbury once noted, “the philosopher can roam just as freely as he [or she] chooses.”
And there’s a lot in BSG all tied up in questions like “What’s our responsibility for what we create?” “How do we handle ourselves when the Human race is literally at stake?” “What does it mean to be human?”. I think I can better tackle some of things things after the finale, so maybe I’ll come back then.

#13

I agree. It gets under our skin and challenges our neat narratives of “how things are.”

#14

Indeed. The show is ostensibly about those who must re-arrange their priorities for survival, but in the end they’re just like us, flawed and sometimes selfish and weak, at others heroic, and generally mostly concerned with what’s important to us. It’s about humanity’s very nature.

#15

Alcohol regenerates in space.
But not cigars.
That’s worth knowing.

#16

The lesson here is, then, that Baltar is like Genghis Khan?

I honestly don’t know what the deepest lesson I’ve gleaned from this show is. What I am most surprised about, though, is the amazing group of friends I found because of it. Hell, I’m finding connections with people I hadven’t talked to in a while because of this show. It simply astounds me that a work of art can bring THIS many people together.

I hope someday, somehow, something I do brings even two people together, let alone thousands.

#17

I was trying real hard to think of something profound to say for my 999th post, but I’ve been fighting a glitchy Internet connection all night, and my brain is wired for my trip to Frisco tomorrow, so I just gotta type, and maybe I’ll explain later.

  1. We’re all the villains of someone else’s story.
  2. Be careful what you hope for. But do hope.
#18

Ahhh! The penultimate Glimfeather post has arrived. And 'tis pithy and wise to boot. And now you’re probably gonna pull a “RonMooreHasPrettyHair” on us and wait 24 hours before your next post. How sinister, how evil, how ruthless in your audacity. Well played sir, well played.:rolleyes:

#19

I’ve always enjoyed the roll-reversals of S3… I never thought I would be sympathetic with suicide bombers, but BSG asks us to examine those difficult questions and situations from the other side. The first 5-6 episodes of S3 is some of the most thought-provoking TV ever.

Also, I learned I am not drinking nearly enough.