Paper (movie-Gattaca)

INFO I101: Technology and Pop Culture

Movie: Gattaca (1997) See the relevant assignment for specific instructions.

Available Prompts

1. Gattaca was made over 20 years ago. The movie was set “in the near future”. Choose ONE example of a technology that you saw in the movie and discuss how it exists in today’s world. Does the real-world version live up to the movie’s expectations and uses? Why/why not? Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.

2. What is the difference between a “valid” and an “in-valid” in this movie? In your opinion, is it ethical to discriminate against the “lower class group” of these two? Why/why not? Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.

3. What was one way that Jerome/Vincent transformed into Jerome/Eugene? Why would this specific “costume” method work or not work in the real world? Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.

4. What did the police feel was a motive for the murder of the director? Why would someone kill for that? Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.

5. At the end of the movie, why did the doctor screening Jerome/Vincent “break the rules”? Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.

6. What was the main event that lead Jerome/Eugene to attempt suicide? Why do you think he did it? Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.

7. Are genetics a good or bad way to select employees for your company? Why/why not? Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.

8. There are a lot of technologies that would make Jerome/Vincent’s deception much more difficult these days. Name one such technology and describe how it would make it harder for Jerome/Vincent to pass as someone else. Support your answer with research, personal opinion, and specific parts of the movie.