Blurb:
Is progress always a good thing? Explore the timeless themes of human hubris, the myth of progress, and the spiritual cost of resurrecting the past. Learn why this 1993 story is still roaring today!
Excerpt from episode:
” … I mentioned in the intro that the final scene when Dr Grant sees the pelicans flying alongside the helicopter, is rather significant. This scene, combined with John William’s stirring music, captures an truth that deserves exploration. Namely it is this our lives are always evolving, and change is woven into the very fabric of the universe. God created us to be transient beings, and when we try to hold on to the past—attempting to freeze-frame it or bottle it up—it always harms not only the present moment but also the future. Let me explain. The scientists in the film wanted to resurrect the dinosaurs, driven by the belief that they were long extinct, wiped out forever. From a certain perspective, it might seem like they were doing humanity a favour by bringing them back. But this premise, as it turns out, isn’t entirely accurate.
The pelicans Dr. Grant observes at the end of the movie aren’t some random species that appeared out of nowhere—they are actually descendants of the dinosaurs. Dr. Grant teaches us earlier in the film that birds are, in fact, the modern-day relatives of dinosaurs. Their bone structure, more birdlike than reptilian, tells the story of how life adapts and evolves over time. In other words, the pelicans soaring gracefully outside the helicopter window are the full flourishing of the dinosaur story. Life did find a way—just not in the chaotic, manipulated form that the scientists sought. Instead, it happened in the most peaceful and natural way possible. When you contrast these peaceful creatures with the chaos and horrors caused by the scientists’ attempts to resurrect the past, you begin to see just how meaningful this final scene truly is..”
Score used this episode: Jurassic Park OST (John Williams)