Interesting movie theologically.

I recall that in its speech at the end, Colossus (with Guardian: "We are one" -- implications of the Trinity?) says that it would bring mankind into the millenium, ie, a dawning of a new age of peace, tranquility, freedom from disease and various man-made ills. It clearly had a theological implication, though quite a twist from the Christian understanding of biblical prophecy. And Forbin's response "Never!" seems to be the response of independent mankind preferring freedom even over an outwardly favorable environment. I wonder what the writers were really trying to get across?

It is ALWAYS interesting when "Science fact" catches up with "science fiction".

In the "old days", computers were still, big, expensive (VERY), complicated and rare--only large universities, corporations and the military had them very often. Until at least the mid 1970's and probably later--the average person rarely saw a computer themselves.

So, during that time, computers were a "gee whiz" item, and as such, often portrayed with "special abilities" in literature and film. More often than not, the computers we all "remember",are in films where they are in control of some important entity, be it a spaceship (2001, Star trek), Bio-Lab(andromeda strain), or military complex, (demon seed), Terminator,Coloussus). In this regard--they often are presented as a "threat" in some way, either trying to outdo their superiors(us), or even destroying something(people or cities).

However..now that computers are in EVERY home and automobile, and LITERALLY run this planet...the "gee whiz" factor is gone. Mankind lives with computers in nearly every aspect of our lives, and they are so common and inexpensive that no one thinks of them as "HAL", "Skynet" or "Coloussus" much anymore. And, while it IS true that the AI abilities of computers have NOT been developed as predicted...the fact that instead, thay have become an "everyday item" in our lives, makes for a much BETTER outcome, with literally many, many millions of computers in the country, in so many devices we own, along with laptop and desktop computers MUCH more powerful than those complicated, expensive mainframes of the "old days",instead of a few "all powerful" computers, controlling the cities or world--with the potential dangers.

The same applies to the Laser.

In the early 1960's, as the laser was being developed, not many uses were available at the time. One of the most "likely" uses for them was as a powerful drill, or as a weapon, to destroy missiles, shoot down aircraft or satelites, or even against personnel in a combat situation. A few posible medical uses were envisioned, such as eye surgery..but in general the Laser was considered a "solution in ned of a problem". So it quickly evolved in fiction as a "gee-whiz" device of immense power and destructiveness, most often as a weapon.

But now, science "fact" has again caught up with "science fiction", and the laser, like the computer is an everyday item for most of us, also in nearly every home ,car, business, hospital and factory. There are so many uses today for the Laser that it boggles the mind, and no doubt those who created it are in awe. But, like the computer, it has lost its "gee whiz" factor, and become an everyday item so useful, inexpensive, and common that children play with them for fun.

However..the ONE area in which the laser has NOT fulfilled its early "expectations", either in fiction or from the early predictions , is in its use as a weapon. While research is ongoing in the research of laser weapons, they have NOT really developed in the way the "peaceful" uses for lasers have, to the point that the very communications fabric of this nation(fiber optic communications) depends on them.

Now that computers and Lasers are everyday items and not just "science fiction", it seems comical to see the way they were portrayed in those old films and novels. At the time though....it seemed at least remotely possible, since few people ever saw either the lser or computer, but now... we can all laugh , while we sit at our computers, and print our pages or store our data with lasers!!

"or the Peace of Unvaried Death."

Actually: unburied death - unburied nuke victims :)