Powqqatsi Ignorance

“All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure” (Mark Twain). Powaqqatsi is a movie directed by Godfrey Reggio which demonstrates the change from the ignorant, old and traditional ways to the knowledgeable, newer and industrial lives in Third World countries. The movie, despite the absence of words, characters, or plotlines, shows the changes that occur when traditional ways are pushed aside for a “better” industrialized life and people are forced to conform to these new ways. These Third World countries were influenced by western culture to change so that they could keep up with the rest of the world. Watching this movie may remind one of a certain light-hearted comedy show by Chuck Lorre, The Big Bang Theory. The Big Bang

The dust represents the change from ignorance to knowledge that can occur when when a change occurs. The ignorance, which is what the boy represents, disappears underneath the dust. The ignorant way of doing things can be left in the dust when knowledge is brought in and improvements are made. In Powaqqatsi, the people became part of the knowledgeable and industrialized way of life without ever going back to their traditional slow ways, represented by the truck. The industrialized technology of the truck covered everything in its way; it covered up the ignorance of the boy who does not know anything about the new change or its possible effects on him. The truck covering the boy with dust was similar to the end result of Sheldon taking over Penny’s business, her old way of working is completely forgotten and covered up by the knowledgeable and more efficient way of work. Penny only cares about finishing the 1,000 “Penny Blossom” order; she has no excitement in her voice like she did in the beginning when she was explaining her business to Sheldon. “Penny Blossom” became a boring task that Penny just had to get done by the end of the 1,000 “Penny Blossom” order she does not care that making these little accessories once brought her happiness. When presented with the finished project of change both the boy and Penny get covered up; their original motives disappear. The boy completely disappears behind a cloud of dust and Penny’s ignorance of her less efficient way, disappears. Both media show that ignorance truly can be bliss and that when ignorance is replaced by knowledge, the outcome is a loss of that