Sunday, November 7, 2010

Mathey, Minority Report


In Minority Report, "criminals" are treated really badly. Even though they did not commit the crime, they are considered criminals because the Pre Cogs have seen their intentions and are always right. However, there is a glitch in the system of pre-crime. When the three pre cogs do not agree on a crime, it creates a minority report which is never going to be revealed otherwise, it would mean that pre-crime cannot be trusted and therefore would have to be shut down. This glitch is used by the bad guy in the movie by trying to make the pre cogs see one crime instead of two. However, Agatha, the more gifted of the pre cogs do not fall for it and warns John Anderton (Tom Cruise) of what is going on. In Terri Murray's essay, "Our Post Moral Future", she argues with the fact that if someone has not committed a crime, he/she cannot be convicted before it happens. She gives an example by citing the opposite. Should we reward people for good intentions before a virtuous deed is done? No we shouldn't so why should we arrest people and treat them as outcast based on their intentions and not their actual actions. So if I went to my friend and said joking " I'm going to kill you" will I be considered a criminal? This would be absurd. I understand that safety should be a priority in this world but at what price. The sacrifice to lose all privacy and control over our life. Becoming puppets of our own world and being scared just to think. The way the criminals are treated in the movie is just horrible. A halo is placed on their head where they would watch their crime over and over again for the rest of their life while being in tube like cells underground. This is even worst than what we do to prisoners in society, at least they have rights and have the chance to prove themselves innocent. In the movie, they just get arrested and are put straight into hibernation state. When were their rights cited? " You have the right to remain silent until you speak to a lawyer, if you do not have one, one will be assigned to you..." Where would the world be without rights ? Indepence is based on them. I do not think that potential criminals like the ones in the movie should be tortured that much. Of course we would live in a crime free place, but I would be scared of the government more than criminals in this case. The power that they acquired based on three genetically modified humans (pre cogs) is just scary.

1 comment:

  1. The loss of privacy is the most important element in the film. You do a good job of discussing the issue.

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