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In a dystopian world, a geeky geneticist invents a super-seed to avert global starvation and finds himself pursued by dark corporate profiteers.
I think the manipulation and monopolization of genomes is a serious issue. But it's not a "sexy" issue, one that hits people's emotional hot buttons, so it's not one that can be easily dramatized. In order for stories on technical issues to succeed they must have a strong human element that enablesRead more
I think the manipulation and monopolization of genomes is a serious issue. But it’s not a “sexy” issue, one that hits people’s emotional hot buttons, so it’s not one that can be easily dramatized. In order for stories on technical issues to succeed they must have a strong human element that enables people to connect to the story emotionally. (Because 1st and foremost, a good plot is an emotional delivery system.)
Well, isn’t the prospect of global starvation, billions of people suffering and dying from a famine, a strong human element? Isn’t that an emotionally powerful theme? Well, in terms of drama, it depends.
The ruthless Russian dictator Joseph Stalin is alleged to have said, “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” That cynical observation has a practical application to drama in terms of getting an audience to identify and respond to the dramatization of a problem with global consequences. Stories like this one need to find and focus on singular stake characters. People most readily connect and respond emotionally to stories through the struggle and suffering of (a few) particular characters — not masses of humanity. (Although the mass aspect can augment the emotional response first evoked by the individual predicament.)
See lessIn a dystopian world, a geeky geneticist invents a super-seed to avert global starvation and finds himself pursued by dark corporate profiteers.
The dystopia is already here. "Dark corporate profiteers" already have developed and own the patents to GMO 'super-seeds' for crops like soybeans, cotton and corn as well as the technology to create the 'super seed' genomes. They enjoy monopolies enabling them to reap enormous profits. (The geneticRead more
The dystopia is already here. “Dark corporate profiteers” already have developed and own the patents to GMO ‘super-seeds’ for crops like soybeans, cotton and corn as well as the technology to create the ‘super seed’ genomes. They enjoy monopolies enabling them to reap enormous profits. (The genetic engineers who work for the corporations cannot file patent claims for themselves; the corporations own all products and technologies developed by their employees.)
So I fail to see the novelty of the concept.
See lessWhen an escaped Muslim militant surfaces in Hamburg to claim an inheritance, a German intelligence agent uses him to trap a well-regarded Muslim scholar suspected of financing terrorists.
I fashioned mine on the basis of the synopsis on the DVD jacket for the film. But the one you found is a better one to work with. So: When an escaped Muslim militant surfaces in Hamburg to claim an inheritance, a German intelligence agent uses him to trap a well-regarded Muslim scholar suspected ofRead more
I fashioned mine on the basis of the synopsis on the DVD jacket for the film. But the one you found is a better one to work with. So:
When an escaped Muslim militant surfaces in Hamburg to claim an inheritance, a German intelligence agent uses him to trap a well-regarded Muslim scholar suspected of financing terrorists. (27 words)
See less