Strangelove

While a little cheesy, this movie was pretty funny. Also, the commentary on the ability of technology to dictate the future of society so easily is especially pertinent to this class and today’s world. It’s a scary thing when a man like General Jack D. Ripper can control the fate of so many lives and even the world. Yet, while he is a laughable character in the film, people like this exist in reality, and that isn’t so funny. I’m not saying someone like this could make a decision to send a nuclear weapon in the United States, but not all other countries have a government as competent as ours.

Far more disturbing than General Ripper is General Turgidson when he discusses America’s position of power over Russia. If America were to strike, they could wipe out approximately 90 percent of the Russian’s nuclear weapons. He concludes by saying that America could achieve victory with “no more than 10 to 20 million killed…depending on the breaks.” This man is lucid; he is not delusional like Ripper, and he would warrant the death of not only millions of Russian lives but American ones too-- all in the name of “victory.” This is sick, and there are plenty of men out there who really do think like this.

Another interesting thing I noticed was the writer’s play with the names. Jack D. Ripper is the name of a famous serial killer who murdered prostitutes. Buck Turgidson’s name can be broken down into buck, or male deer or stud, and turgid, swollen. Mandrake is also the name of a plant that has been used for medicinal purposes, including fertility. Even, the more obvious name Strangelove fits because of his perverted love and knowledge for nuclear weaponry. There is also a theme of sexuality, especially perverse sexuality throughout.