So, why does this matter? How could this possibly be relevant to what is going on today? It matters because it is just one more shred of evidence that modernism is dying. The show--and lots of other shows, movies, books and songs—was inspired by modernism or more specifically our modern need to conquer space, engage in the “space race” and celebrate scientific achievement in general. In those days we were entirely giddy about NASA and what NASA could, and would, do.
How different we are now. Last night Newt Gingrich was virtually mocked for his vision of a colony on the moon. If you saw the John Stewart piece within hours of his statements, you have to admit he had it coming to him especially following his denial of occasional “grandiosity.” But, most would agree with his main premise, that NASA has become a bloated bureaucracy. And most would agree that scientists are sadly not exactly the heroes they once were (at least in this country).
The irony now is that the phrase “danger Will Robinson” has been co-opted by the hacker community. You can’t find a group more emblematic of post-modern values than the hackers. “Protestors” are right up there but a hacker seems to dismantle what is modern. And, now they mock us by use of a phrase once used as a warning.