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This is not so much a book review, but more of a reflection on the story of one of the characters, and what it symbolizes. As Anathem is only the second Neal Stephenson book I have read; the first being Cryptonomicon; I can only suggest that this book and it’s characters represent an achieved style of drama, compared to, say Cryptonomicon. It isn’t hysterically funny, and more poignantly, is not the same kind of book. What it is though, is a sincere meditation on technology, philosophy, the wonder of knowledge, and respect for the knowledge of others. The difference between knowing something, and really believing it. Faith is hardly exclusive to religion. That is where, this review begins.

The World of Anathem:

Thousands of years prior to the events in the novel, society was on the verge of collapse due to unchecked technological development, especially in the areas of genetic engineering and nuclear warfare. After much disaster, the solution was to have two societies, and so it was for a few thousand years. One like ours, and the other made up of the mathematicians and scientists, the intellectuals; those who live to work things out on a chalk board, instead of using computers. These people have chosen to live like this; to maintain great knowledge, and not be corrupted by the influences and extravagances of the outside.

Communication does of course exist between each society, and there is a hierarchy of persons to facilitate this on different levels. It serves the planet well to have equilibrium in this way. Little technology allowed inside the Mathic society, and there are rules, and violation of such rules result in one being thrown back (expelled). Note also, that neither society is more inherently intelligent than the other. Simply put, people have chosen their way of life.

The Story of Orolo (the cosmographer):

The thing most noteworthy of Orolo’s character, is that he was truly looked upon, as not only an intellectual, but as a spiritual leader by many amongst his students. He was special to them; he had something like that warm kind of respect that you get from people who can’t help but believe in you.

The launch [pun intended] in the story entails something that puts Orolo on his journey. It is not specifically the incident itself, mind. But the challenges and revelations that are resultant. He is provided a glimpse of something; that for someone like Orolo, instantly gives purchase on something that is bigger than just about everything. It’s cosmic.

Immediately following this, is the first indication of real faith; when Orolo, in a serious violation of the Discipline — as commerce is not allowed — sells the Math’s mead to purchase a Speelycaptor after learning about the increased resolution of the newest models. He is of course then subsequently thrown back.

Faith

The relevance here is that selflessness is in lieu of any other affection. There is no want of validation in trying to convince others of his findings, and certainly no need for Orolo to make it known that he had discovered something with such overarching impact. Only the thunderous silence of the unspoken actions set forth by a man so obviously at peace with with an unshakable belief.

Further to all of this is the notion that Orolo was a man acting only on the indication of something; the details are really fuzzy, but the initial event is enough for someone who knows something so deeply in their heart to sacrifice everything in their life, an Orolo does, including, quite obviously, his own existence.

This really is a beautiful story within the real story, because, in saying that Orolo has already wholeheartedly consigned himself to sacrifice, it is really something more than a simple act of bravado, more than putting his life on the line for another, or even one million or even the whole world. It is this unshakable belief in something so much deeper, so profound. It is faith, and an elegant fervor for a philosophical view of existence of everything, bigger than religion. Something that might unite everyone under the whole raft of different religious beliefs.

This all seems grandiose I’m sure, and it kind of is. But it got me writing for at least two reasons. 1. It’s great to read such a massive work, in both it’s actual volume, and the audacious scope of topic that’s explored. 2. It got me thinking about belief, and how fragile our belief systems really are. For all the front that we have most of the time, we really are unsure of so much, so much of the time.

Moral courage is often so misrepresented; with definitions of such usually existing somewhere left field of where it’s claimed to be. Well, hopefully it is somewhere betwixt here and there that my examination of this whole allegory takes place.

I balled my eyes out. I really did. I’m not even a big Will Smith Fan. Perhaps, I had really wanted something like this. I read some reviews of this film, and what reviews I read, only served to highlight for me, the fact, that any film review, as we all already know, is supposed to be a detached; an objective experience. But, I disagree, and know full well, that if I was to take inventory — which in casual conversation — I already have, this film has reach.

I, myself, am a critic; staunch, and hyper-critical. But, the inescapable thing in critique of something, is that to trully offer one’s critique of something; one should lower all defenses. I would lay you London-to-a-brick, that anyone who has canned this film, has had neither the disposition, or life-experience generated incumbent circumstance to accept the motivation of such a beautiful story at face-vale. That’s the problem with cliches sometimes; they can be truly relevant.

Probably the reason, that the fact that this movie stands apart as an example, is not just because it was universally canned by critics, but lauded by the general film-going public (which , if you research meta-critic or rotten-tomatoes, is true, and the first free clue), but because, the premise; the concept; the story, and the original writer’s motivation, hopefully transcends every aspect that is, or maybe should, in a perfect world be vulnerable to critique. That’s a big call, I know. The point of this though, should surely highlight; notwithstanding the flaws and failures on a film-making level — is that, quite simply, ambition should be lauded. The film as a whole can be reviewed, but sometimes, it’s good, to look at things, in the context of what they are — It’s not rocket science, and all critics — great and small — should take note.

Anyway, I happen to like long films. There exists a certain fascination with the economy of words in the contect of film making.  A three hour film, quite honestly, is not particularly long. I find it amusing that reviewers will say something to the effect of  “after two hours it becomes tedious”.  I say. bring it on. If you are so affected by the modern world that you –  as the cliche goes — can’t stay focussed for more than twent minutes

The

You know, this is such a clichéd film.s