HAL+9000

HAL 9000   Chris Gerhardt  The villain in the film //2001: A Space Odyssey //, is a computer program named HAL 9000, an acronym of Heuristically programmed Algorithmic Computer. HAL is the onboard computer on the spaceship //Discovery One//, which was sent to outer space, more specifically Jupiter, to find another monolith like that one that was found under the Earth and the Moon's surface. The monoliths were supposedly buried by aliens and it is the scientists aboard //Discovery One// job to find out who put them there. The few astronauts on board are equipped with the best technology, the 9000 series, that is there to aid them in their endeavors. Although HAL's physical appearance is innocent and simple, a red light and a speaker attached to a room full of hardwire discs, it is still capable of killing. At one point in the film, HAL kills three of the space crew by shutting down the life support features in their area of the ship. At another time, HAL alerts the crew of a technological glitch on the outside of the ship, but when one of two surviving astronauts checks it out, there is no problem. HAL does not allow the astronaut to come back into the ship and kills him for no apparent reason. HAL is just a machine with no feelings or morals, so he does this without hesitation. The ethos of HAL at this point is tarnished; the crew, and the audience, is left wondering if HAL's series of "technological breakdowns" were just a combination of freak accidents or does this computer mean harm? The hero who sets out to end HAL's madness is Dr. Dave Bowman, the last living crewman on board, who ends up disconnecting HAL's "brain" in order to stop it from causing anymore harm. As HAL's central computer is slowly shutting down, his monotone voice is pleading with Dr. Bowman, with no avail, to turn him off. HAL is always one step ahead of humans, and is willing to kill people if he thinks it is for the good of the whole space crew.



1. The color- The only physical part of HAL is this little box that has a red "eye" that helps make decisions. The color red brings a few meanings, but the most important connotation it carries is the color of blood and death. 2. The size- This part of HAL is very small, no larger than a hand, and yet it has taken the life of several innocent people. The fact that HAL is not large but makes life changing decisions is scary. 3. The yellow core- The yellow center is reminiscent of the sun. People are never supposed to look directly at the sun because it has ill effects. If an astronaut were to stare directly at HAL with no purpose, like people do at the sun, the computer would think there is something wrong with that person and they might be a risk to the flight. When HAL thought people were risks to the flight's mission, he killed them. 4. The reflection- The glazed glass that covers HAL's "eye" creates a foggy reflection. The fact that HAL can see and analyze you but there is nothing to see when you look back at it is a menacing and evil trait. 5. The technology- In every aspect HAL is supposed to be smarter than a human. He can out-think the best and can supposedly never be wrong. Behind this "eye" is a room full of computer discs and modules that allow HAL to compute and make important decisions in a heartbeat. The villain in HAL uses this knowledge to his advantage and outwits people to their death.

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