Interview: BSG and Philosophy

Television, Movies Games and Books BSG-2003
#1

Here’s a link to an interview I did, along w/ one of the co-editors of ‘Cylons in America,’ on the BSG finale for the Canadian Broadcating Corporation (CBC):

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2009/03/20/f-battlestar-galactica-finale.html

#2

cool, thanks for sharing :slight_smile:

#3

Check out a new, detailed review of my edited volume: ‘Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Knowledge Here Begins Out There’:

http://www.greenmanreview.com/book/book_eberl_bsg.html

I’m also interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts on the philosophical themes in ‘Caprica’ – religious violence, monotheism vs. polytheism, the nature of God, personal identity, artificial intelligence, parental love, cultural identity, the list goes on…

#4

While I only read a little, it was very interesting :slight_smile:

#5

Hi Philosopher Jedi,

As a contributor, it’s good to hear that the BSG and Philosophy book has been getting some readers.

At the time we were writing the pieces, the jury was out on the ‘head’ characters. I was convinced that Head Six was an AI program running on Baltar’s brain and you stated that she was probably an angel of God. Well, you had it right! While, I’m sorry that BSG didn’t opt for the reductionist solution of much post-cyberpunk SF, the theological explanation was more challenging for confirmed heathens and materialists like myself.

Having been somewhat ambivalent about the finale I found it improved with repetition. Many have described it as a happy, sunny ending. But I found it melancholy in satisfying kind of way - many of the characters just drift off to die alone, Caprican civilisation fading into the African landscape. The theme of technological relinquishment was also interesting. If one believes that technology is a really uncontrollable disruptive force in the world, then relinquishment is an intellectually defensible option - though it is not one I’d advocate.

#6

Nice article, thanks for posting the link. I still wax nostalgic for BSG every time I read something like this. I can’t wait for the full series DVD set. I’m ready to watch it all again from the beginning!