![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalpatmos.com\/vol3issue5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Intro-pic-300x169.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Geostorm\u00a0<\/em>(2017)<\/p>\n The opening scene of Geostorm <\/em>(Devlin, 2017)\u00a0depicts a depressing post-apocalyptic world ravaged by natural disasters, where millions died from excruciating heatwaves and unprecedented powerful tornadoes. In a global effort to prevent a future environmental apocalypse, humanity desperately turned to solar geoengineering technology to save them, resulting in the United Nations commissioning scientists from 17 nations to invent the Dutchboy. Designed to deploy counter-measures to neutralize any impending natural disaster through a protective net of globe-spanning satellites, Dutchboy allows humanity to remotely control weather patterns from Earth. However, it is gradually revealed that under Project Zeus, the US Secretary of State, Leonard Dekkom, planted a computer virus in Dutchboy and plans to weaponize it to systematically eliminate US political enemies through orchestrated natural disasters, called the Geostorm. The film then follows the efforts of Dutchboy\u2019s inventor, Jake Lawson, and his bureaucratic brother, Max Lawson, as they struggled to save the world from an artificial environmental apocalypse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The eventual failings of Dutchboy thus shift the emphasis of the film towards the character development of Jake and Max Lawson, who used their expertise and sentiment to eventually save the world from the Geostorm. For instance, Geostorm is averted through Jake\u2019s efforts to locate the virus and Max\u2019s determination to upload the kill codes that neutralized the virus. This centralization of humanity in stopping the Geostorm compared to the subservient role that Dutchboy plays, presents an interesting deviation from the Hollywood apocalyptic norm, where the centralization of technology over humanity is more pronounced. In other environmental apocalyptic films like 2012<\/em>\u00a0(Emmerich, 2009)\u00a0and The Day after Tomorrow<\/em>\u00a0(Emmerich, 2004),<\/em> the characters are typically portrayed as helpless in face of natural disasters, compared to technology, which has relatively superior capabilities. Even when they depend on technology, the characters are often unable to completely prevent the whole apocalypse and instead they can only mitigate its effects. Comparatively, Geostorm <\/em>has a more distinctive emphasis on the centralization of humanity over technology. Even though the Dutchboy could have easily prevented any natural disaster, the apocalypse is ultimately prevented by the sheer efforts and abilities of the protagonists. Why then did Geostorm <\/em>choose to centralize the humanization of the characters over the capabilities of technology in an apocalyptic context where technology seemed capable of preventing the end of the world?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The comparative analysis of the reliability of technology against the softer elements of humanity in the characters, such as their personality and values, underscores Geostorm\u2019s<\/em> emphasis on the centralization of humanity over technologies with global applications. Through this juxtaposition, Geostorm<\/em> shows that although technology might possess superior capabilities compared to humanity, it should play a subservient role to humanity as the softer elements of humanity are more essential in preventing an apocalypse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To understand the unique portrayal of the centralization of humanity over technology in Geostorm, <\/em>a comparative analysis must be done against its Hollywood counterparts in a similar apocalyptic genre. However, since the technology portrayed in Geostorm <\/em>is deeply unrealistic, a metaphorical analysis of Dutchboy can prove inherent threats and vulnerabilities in real-world technologies with global applications, thus necessitating a firm centralization of humanity over technology. <\/em>Even so, the risk of power imbalances arising from an unfair delegation of control over technology might create apocalyptic scenarios that humanity is attempting to avoid in the first place. Therefore, it is then relevant to analyze the subservient role that technology played in Geostorm<\/em> compared to the emphasis on the protagonists\u2019 traits, to understand the overall need for the centralization of humanity over technological innovations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A comparative analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As established, unlike Geostorm, <\/em>most environmental apocalyptic films tend to centralize technology over humanity by portraying the subservient role of the film characters. In Roland Emmerich\u2019s 2012<\/em>, the characters are only saved by gaining access to the Arks, which are giant seagoing ships designed to navigate a post-apocalyptic flooded Earth for an indefinite amount of time, while the rest succumb to the natural disasters. This thus demonstrates the powerlessness of humanity against the apocalypse without the help of technology. Furthermore, the characters\u2019 efforts to get onto the ship merely played a secondary role to the centralization of the Ark in the film, as it is ultimately the ship that saved the characters. Even in The Day after Tomorrow<\/em>,\u00a0<\/em>although there is a portrayal of the characters\u2019 determination to survive, their eventual survival is only enabled through technology, when the US Army Soldiers discovered the survivors by flying UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters. This stands in stark contrast against Geostorm, <\/em>where there is a distinctive portrayal of humanity over technology. Despite Dutchboy\u2019s potential to protect the world in the initial scenes, the eventual prevention of the apocalypse is due to the efforts of the characters with the complementary use of technology, demonstrating the centralization of humanity over technology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Metaphorically speaking\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Throughout Geostorm<\/em>, the sophistication of geoengineering technology is repeatedly emphasized by Dutchboy\u2019s seemingly endless capabilities. For instance, once Dutchboy detected a Category 5 Hurricane brewing over China, it automatically released an array of small bombs into the heart of the storm to break up the cloud formations, successfully saving China from a potential environmental catastrophe.<\/p>\n Geostorm’s\u00a0<\/em>portrayal of Dutchboy’s abilities<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although weather modification technology has taken infant steps through cloud seeding during the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Pontin, 2008], such localized changes \u201care not going to inadvertently create huge changes somewhere else\u201d as it is not \u201cphysically plausible\u201d. (K. Calderia cited in Wei-Haas, 2017]) However, such sophisticated levels of solar geoengineering technology \u201cis neither as exciting nor as terrifying as we have been led to believe, for the simple reason that it doesn\u2019t exist.\u201d (Stilgoe, 2015). Evidently, it is more realistic to depend on humanity\u2019s efforts and abilities to prevent an impending environmental apocalypse instead of technology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since the portrayal of technology in Geostorm <\/em>might be over-exaggerated and unrealistic, a metaphorical analysis can establish real-life application of the film\u2019s arguments in today\u2019s context. For instance, the world is becoming increasingly reliant on the use of nuclear technology to prevent the end of a world powered by fossil fuel. Despite the supposed low risk of nuclear meltdowns at one in a million per reactor year, the risk of a 1 percent chance of such an accident in each 10-year period (Feiveson, 2009) will thus support Charles Perrow\u2019s \u201cnormal accidents\u201d theory that nuclear power reactors cannot be operated without major accidents (Rose & Sweeting, 2016). Similar to Dutchboy, although nuclear energy has the potential to save humanity from an energy apocalypse, the lack of firm human control and regulation can instead create divergent and potentially more catastrophic problems that endanger mankind. Both circumstances have thus demonstrated the dangers of our blind faith in the perceived superior capabilities of technology and underscored the need for the centralization of humanity over technology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The struggle for power<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even when it is established that a certain degree of human control is imperative to regulate technology, there must be a firm centralization of the whole humanity over such technologies through fair delegation of control, thus preventing power imbalances that can create a divergent threat.\u00a0 In Geostorm, <\/em>Dekkom is able to seize Dutchboy and weaponize it, since the sole control of US over Dutchboy provided him with easy access to plant the computer virus and gain sole control of Dutchboy. Here, it is evident that the risk of delegating control of technology with such global applications to solely a single entity instead of a collective group can lead to power imbalance, and potentially an apocalypse that the technology was meant to prevent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dekkom\u2019s rationale for Project Zeus draws direct parallels to the real world, where instances of abuse of weather controlling technology to gain political supremacy were rife, especially during the Cold War era. The weather race between the US and the Russians (Fleming, 2017) was evident by Project Popeye in 1966 to seed the clouds over southeast Asia so rain would impede truck traffic between North and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. (Kohler, 1967). The realization of the impact of weather control on a country\u2019s political power is best underscored by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson in a 1962 address at Southwest Texas State University when he expressed that \u201che who controls the weather, controls the world\u201d.<\/p>\n Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson’s address at Southwest Texas State University in 1962<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The sentiment is also echoed by the film\u2019s tagline, \u201cControl the weather, control the world\u201d. Since the nation that controls its own weather will necessarily control the weather of other nations, “weather wars” are conceivable when each nation fight to control the weather over its territory (Hoffman, 2002). It is thus evident that technology, especially those with global impacts, has become a principal means through which power is distributed and exercised in contemporary society. (Brey, 2007). Furthermore, the ethical considerations of technology\u2019s global impact necessitate the delegation of control to the whole of humanity. Since \u201cthe global impacts that will inevitably accompany attempts to engineer the planet\u201d through weather engineering technology does not leave people with the freedom to opt in or out (Flegal & Meynard, 2017), the majority\u2019s welfare might be neglected. In Geostorm, <\/em>President Palma attempted to conceal the malfunctions of Dutchboy, which killed an entire town in Afghanistan through a freak ice storm.<\/p>\n UN soldiers discovering the freak ice storm in Afghanistan<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The prioritization of his political reputation over the safety of humanity is evident when he declared that \u201cI will not be the President that hands over damaged goods. Not now, not ever\u201d. Palmer\u2019s attitude towards the welfare of humanity vis-\u00e0-vis his personal political interests further reaffirms the dangers of allowing a single entity to control technology. Moreover, power imbalances can create potential regional inequalities (Flegal & Gupta, 2017). The rationale for Project Zeus was Dekkom\u2019s desire to create a New World Order with the United States at its helm and with him as the World\u2019s President, demonstrating the potential power inequality when humanity is not centralized over technology. Therefore, the potential neglect of the majority\u2019s welfare coupled with regional power instabilities necessitates a firm centralization of humanity over technology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although the equal distribution of control over such technology is idealistic, when such autonomy is delegated to a responsible international organization, the risk of misuse of technology and the resultant power imbalance can be mitigated. As Brey argues, asymmetrical power relations are not always wrong, and it is widely accepted that such limitations can be \u201cimposed by democratically elected institutions\u201d (Brey, 2007). \u00a0To ensure that weather control is used “for the good of all\u201d, the establishment of an international agency to regulate control is thus required. (Hoffman, 2002). Such sentiments are echoed in the film by the eventual delegation of Dutchboy\u2019s control to the UN and the general realization that Dutchboy \u201cbelongs to all of us now. One planet, one people\u201d, thus demonstrating the potential mitigation of technology\u2019s risks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Power of humanity<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, it is pertinent to note that such form of delegation merely mitigates the risks of an apocalyptic scenario borne from power imbalance, thus necessitating a shift in emphasis towards\u2019 humanity\u2019s softer elements, as evinced by Geostorm\u2019s <\/em>plot development. Since the computer virus effectively limits the control of Dutchboy to solely Dekkom, Jake evoked his childhood memories with Max to design an encrypted message disguised as a fictional family fishing trip that only they are privy to, thus informing President Palma about the virus. This thus demonstrates the importance of humanity\u2019s softer elements such as sentiments and memories over the \u201chard power\u201d of technology. Moreover, even when the kill codes were uploaded, Jake still had to physically input the codes into the main computer at the risk of his own life, since the wireless transition was impaired during the self-destruction sequence.<\/p>\n The destruction of Dutchboy after Jake uploaded the kill codes<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here, it is evident that Jake\u2019s bravery and determination prevented the world from a Geostorm, while technology is merely a tool to help Jake achieve this task. The fragility of technology and its unreliability at the height of the crisis presents a stark contrast against the character display and efforts of Jake and Max, thus emphasizing that it was ultimately due to human characteristics and efforts that disaster was averted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It should also be noted that the centralization of humanity in averting the apocalypse is not limited to Geostorm <\/em>as this notion is observed in smaller doses in other apocalyptic films. In Armageddon,<\/em> even when a nuclear bomb is used to destroy the meteor that threatened to obliterate Earth, the film still emphasized on humanity to stop the apocalypse. Due to the malfunctions of the automatic detonation system onboard the space craft, Harry Stamper had to sacrifice himself to physically detonate the bomb. Thus, similar to Geostorm, Armageddon <\/em>juxtaposes the unreliability of technology against the relative dependability of the characters\u2019 traits and efforts, hence emphasizing on the importance of humanity\u2019s softer elements in preventing the apocalypse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Compared to typical apocalyptic films, Geostorm <\/em>has distinctively portrayed the centralization of humanity over technology by gradually shifting the emphasis away from Dutchboy and towards the importance of the characters\u2019 efforts. The futility of relying on technology solely based on its superior capabilities is highlighted by the vulnerability of Dutchboy to misuse and the resultant threat of an artificial apocalypse. In comparison, the characters\u2019 main role in saving the world through their abilities and sentiments thus effectively shifts the film\u2019s emphasis on the importance of humanity\u2019s softer elements in saving the world. This juxtaposition, therefore, affirms the need for centralization of humanity over technology in today\u2019s context.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Brey, P. (2007). The technological construction of social power,\u2019 Social Epistemology,<\/em> 22<\/em>(1), 71-95.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Devlin, D. (Director). (2017).\u00a0Geostorm\u00a0<\/em>[Motion picture]. Burbank: Warner Bros. Pictures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Emmerich, R. (Director). (2004).\u00a0The Day After Tomorrow\u00a0<\/em>[Motion picture]. Los Angeles: 20th Century Fox.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Emmerich, R. (Director). (2009).\u00a02012\u00a0<\/em>[Motion picture]. Culver City: Columbia Pictures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Feiveson, H. A. (2009). A skeptic\u2019s view of nuclear energy.\u00a0Daedalus,<\/em> 138<\/em>(4), 60\u201370.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Flegal, J. A., & Gupta, A. (2017). Evoking equity as a rationale for solar geoengineering research?: Scrutinizing emerging expert visions of equity. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 18<\/em>(1), 45-61.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Flegal, J. A., & Maynard, A. (2017, October 20). ‘Geostorm’ movie shows dangers of hacking the climate \u2013 we need to talk about real-world geoengineering now. The Conversation.\u00a0<\/i>Retrieved September 24, 2018, from https:\/\/theconversation.com\/geostorm-movie-shows-dangers-of-hacking-the-climate-we-need-to-talk-about-real-world-geoengineering-now-85866<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fleming, J. R. (2012). Fixing the Sky the Checkered History of Weather and Climate Control<\/em>. New York: Columbia University Press.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoffman, R. N. (2002). Controlling The global weather. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 83<\/em>(2), 241-248.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kohler, F. D. (1967, January 13). Memorandum from the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Kohler) to Secretary of State Rusk. Office of the Historian.<\/em>\u00a0Retrieved September 24, 2018, from https:\/\/history.state.gov\/historicaldocuments\/frus1964-68v28\/d274<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pontin, M. W. (2008, March 25). Weather engineering in China. MIT Tech nology Review.\u00a0<\/em>Retrieved September 23, 2018, from https:\/\/www.technologyreview.com\/s\/409794\/weather-engineering-in-china\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rose, T., & Sweeting, T. (2016). How safe is nuclear power?: A statistical study suggests less than expected. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 72<\/em>(2), 112-115.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stilgoe, J. (2015). Experiment Earth: Responsible Innovation in Geoengineering.\u00a0<\/em>London: Routledge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wei-Haas, M. (2017, October 18). The “science” behind “Geostorm”, the newest weather-fueled doomsday flick. Smithsonian.com.\u00a0<\/em>Retrieved September 24, 2018, from https:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/science-nature\/science-behind-geostorm-newest-weather-fueled-doomsday-flick-180965303\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Geostorm\u00a0(2017) Introduction The opening scene of Geostorm (Devlin, 2017)\u00a0depicts a depressing post-apocalyptic world ravaged by natural disasters, where millions died from excruciating heatwaves and unprecedented powerful tornadoes. In a global effort to prevent a future environmental apocalypse, humanity desperately turned to solar geoengineering technology to save them, resulting in the United Nations commissioning scientists … <\/p>\nIntroduction<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalpatmos.com\/vol3issue5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Use-of-dutchboy-300x113.gif\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalpatmos.com\/vol3issue5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/lyndon-b-johnson.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalpatmos.com\/vol3issue5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/geostorm-trailer2-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalpatmos.com\/vol3issue5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/gerald-butler-dutchboy-near-death-300x123.gif\")
<\/p>\n