After watching the film on the 1983 Chicago World’s Fair and discussing both readings, the main ideas focus on the display of energy and power in developing societies. At the World’s fair, the displays of both Germany and the United States were teeming with military weapons and technology, hoping to demonstrate the power and prowess of each nation. As a result, most other nations, in addition to the United States and Germany, began a race to become more innovation and advanced in military technology and warfare, possibly initiating World War I far earlier than necessary. While proving to be deadly in the war, these military advancements and weapons were initially developed because “peace is kept by being prepared for war,” according to one general. This display of power by several nations at the fair serves to show the dominance and superiority that these nations are capable of. In addition to the Chicago World’s Fair, Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court portrays the use of energy and power for personal gain. With the development of technology and the improved harnessing of energy, Hank Morgan was able to develop hospitals, schools, and newspapers to improve the lives of the 6th century citizens. However, Morgan also used his superior sophistication and technological expertise to fool and gain the utmost respect from King Arthur’s court. Hank proves Merlin to be a fraud while using modern technology to fix the fountain, use guns and explosives to both harm fellow knights and for dramatic effect, and claims future inventions as his own to seem almost God-like amongst Arthur’s court. While this new harnessed energy and power led to healthier, more efficient lifestyles for the citizens of Camelot, Hank also utilized it for personal gain and greed to rise to power in the Court, viewed as almost equals to King Arthur. This display of power promotes fear and admiration to allow for the few to rise to power and control the masses. Finally, when discussing The Human Machine, the trade-off between work and leisure became a major issue in society. When looking at humans as a energy system, fatigue begins to set in after a certain amount of time, requiring rest to regain and resupply the energy. As technology began to develop, human labor became obsolete compared to the ability of machines to produce and manufacture goods. The ideal worker would never get tired, yet humans suffer from fatigue while machines can constantly conserve energy to function constantly. This harnessing of energy allowed for more leisure in everyday life and brought new goods to make life more efficient; however, on the downside, the industrial revolution and the development of new technologies paved the way for advanced warfare and dangerous technology.
Another topic of interest is the disparity of cultural and social norms amongst members of different societies or cultures. At the Chicago World’s Fair, the exotic, belly dancers covered in little clothing at the Cairo bizarre was a sight to see for the American public. Social norms in the United States at the time viewed sex as taboo. While the men were enthused by this exotic culture, the females looked upon the dancers with shame and judgment. The culture and history of Egypt stems from these roots, yet the Americans weren’t socially and sexually advanced enough to look upon the exhibit with favor. The lack of acceptance and understanding of other cultures leads to segregation and social hierarchy at the fair, marked by each nation trying to out-do one another. Similarly, in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, the disparity in social norms and practices between the 6th century and the 18th century becomes clearly evident. Hank looks down upon King Arthur’s court with shame, frustrated by their lack of hygiene and sophistication and baffled by the incompetence of the court. Morgan disregards the knights’ stories of glory and honor as false, and while he respects and likes King Arthur, he still views him as less-educated and somewhat irrational. In contrast, the members of King Arthur’s court view Hank as a God-like figure, marveled by his “magic” and his vast contributions to society. The citizens view him as infallible and treat him with the utmost respect and admiration. This disparity and cultures and social sophistication allows for Hank to basically usurp power from King Arthur and hold one of the highest positions in Camelot, a common problem when one culture views themselves as superior to one another (slavery and colonization).