Thoughts on Limitless the Movie

First of all, I loved it. It was a thrill ride, and the movie was very well made. I especially liked the cinematography: how the "picture" changes when the "hero" is on the "genius drug"; the "cosmic zoom" where the camera (representing the hero) travels at high speed thru streets, crowds, and scenarios. Also, if I remember right, I like the fact that the character seemed to make his best decisions when he was NOT on the "genius drug."

Secondly, I hated the implications of the movie.

Look at what "being a genius" meant for the "hero": monopolizing discussions at parties, taking advantage of women who thought smart was sexy, capitalizing on stock market trends to rake in loads of cash, etc. To me it seemed like this movie simply reinforced the adage, "educated a sinner and you get an educated sinner." The "genius drug" did absolutely nothing to actually make him a better person. Do we all want to become as megalomaniacal as the "hero" in this film?

Also, if anyone thought this movie was in any way inspirational, I'd like to know on what level. Are we going to fall for some new form of LSD? Remember, Timothy Leary was boasting about LSD the same way this movie was about NZT. Or maybe some folks will decide to take up Trancendental Meditation or go back to college or practice the Law of Attraction, or various other means to an end. Here's the real problem: we don't even use the 20% of our brains well enough, why burn out the full 100%? Our personal computers are a great example in this case: how well do they work and for how long when we jam pack them with data and programs?

I'll preface my next point with the concession that I feel we are all meant to strive for excellence in life. And I do personally feel that we will one day experience using our brains at full potential, and this belief is consistent with my faith as a Christian. Read the biblical passages on the next phase of humanity under the rule of Christ and the restoration of all things, and you will find in this the true expression of which this movie is simply a grasping at the wind. But while we strive to accomplish the premise of this movie outside of the will and purposes of God, we simply set ourselves up as the next Tower of Babel or statue with a head of gold and feet of clay.

The issue of human potentiality MUST be a subset of a society fully surrendered to the biblical God, or else it will simply become the next fad in a long history of mankind's sinfulness and rebellion against its Creator.

And if anyone thinks this idea has never been entertained before, read Flowers For Algernon or watch the movie Charly (1968).