Past Present Future PPF+: A Taste of What You've Been Missing!
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Aug 24, 2025 Helen Thompson, a keen political scientist and academic, dives into the cinematic depths of 'Apocalypse Now.' She unpacks how the film reflects American culture and critiques military strategies during the Vietnam War, especially through the lens of character journeys and disillusionment. The discussion also touches on Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein,' exploring its themes of empathy tied to imperialism, and draws connections between historical events and the evolution of political ideologies. Prepare for a thought-provoking reflection on war, identity, and the legacy of liberal ideals.
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Conservative Reading: Fear Of Popular Power
- 19th-century conservatives read Frankenstein as a warning against empowering the masses.
- They feared giving political life to the crowd would create an uncontrollable 'monster'.
Socialist Reading: Creature As Proletariat
- Socialists and Marxists read the creature as the proletariat created by capitalism.
- Capitalists objectify workers to avoid sympathy, which risks provoking vengeance when they awaken politically.
Futurism's Complex Path To Fascism
- Filippo Marinetti's Futurism survived WWI and linked to early fascism despite its avant-garde roots.
- His later Fascist Manifesto contained surprisingly moderate social demands alongside militant aesthetics.
