Adding another theoretical way to look at it, we might say that Tom Cruise likes tools that are, in the words of Ivan Illich, convivial. He likes technology that allows us to exercise our autonomy and creativity.
He dislikes tools that enslave us, force us into a deskilled radical monopoly, and constrain our action.
This article is such a phenomenon! I love how you play it totally straight, no winking at the camera, not a hint of an implication that there might be something ridiculous about using Merleau-Ponty to analyze a Tom Cruise film.
Absolutely so. The prequel Dead Reckoning was absolutely fantastic - incredible (and funny) chase sequences, a disintegrating train escape at the end which may be one of the best ever - and made Final Reckoning seem galumphing and slow.
And I _still_ want to know how they flew that plane from the Arctic to South Africa.
Enjoyable, thanks! Much as I like and respect Ryle, he'd have been the first to credit the Greeks with the distinction between 'episteme' and 'techne.' And if we'd stuck with the Stoics' radical corporeality, instead of going down the Platonist route via Christianity, we wouldn't have been in this dualist mess in the first place.
Cruise movies, inevitably require a hefty divesture from reality, if we are to invest ourselves in serial accomplishments of the actors super-human feats.
Thats OK, there is a very human need to step outside reality. The act of it relieves your brain of self-imposed limitations, and signals your body to renew itself in preparation of another run at super-human performance. Or after the dopamine subsides, going out to the workshop and using grandfathers tools to preserve his legacy held in those tools and the inheritance of his skillset.
The Last Samurai staring Tom Cruise, Dave Chappelle was so taken with this title he got inspiration for his next move “The Last Nigger on Earth” staring Tom Cruise
Outstanding essay. I remember watching the movie and thinking there was something about besides it being thrilling, something that transcended the kraft. You put it so well into words. Great post.
This is hands down one of the best things I’ve read all year. Just splendid. The perfect demonstration of the high-low approach. I teach a class in embodied cognition and this is going on the reading list!
“And it occurred to me there is no manual that deals with the real business of motorcycle maintenance, the most important aspect of all. Caring about what you are doing is considered either unimportant or taken for granted.”
Adding another theoretical way to look at it, we might say that Tom Cruise likes tools that are, in the words of Ivan Illich, convivial. He likes technology that allows us to exercise our autonomy and creativity.
He dislikes tools that enslave us, force us into a deskilled radical monopoly, and constrain our action.
Yes - couldn't agree more. Illich a big inspiration for this piece.
Hell yeah brother.
As I am prone to repeating vis à vis the state of men: men are fine, doing as we always have; learning by doing, providing as needed, prepared to die.
Great post!
Outstanding.
Makes me want to (1) see at least one of these Tom Cruise movies, and (2) be a body with a mind a little more often, rather than the other way around.
Maverick! I loved it…
This article is such a phenomenon! I love how you play it totally straight, no winking at the camera, not a hint of an implication that there might be something ridiculous about using Merleau-Ponty to analyze a Tom Cruise film.
If only Final Reckoning was half as good as this article…
Absolutely so. The prequel Dead Reckoning was absolutely fantastic - incredible (and funny) chase sequences, a disintegrating train escape at the end which may be one of the best ever - and made Final Reckoning seem galumphing and slow.
And I _still_ want to know how they flew that plane from the Arctic to South Africa.
This was a needed essay - thank you!
Enjoyable, thanks! Much as I like and respect Ryle, he'd have been the first to credit the Greeks with the distinction between 'episteme' and 'techne.' And if we'd stuck with the Stoics' radical corporeality, instead of going down the Platonist route via Christianity, we wouldn't have been in this dualist mess in the first place.
Epictetus, immortal adherence to tne truth of the thing
Wow very interesting!
The part about Top Gun reminded me of a quote from - of course - another Tom Cruise movie: The Last Samurai.
When he's learning to fight with the samurai the little kid says to him "too many mind".
Ah! Of course - completely forgot about that. What a scene. 'No mind!'
Cruise movies, inevitably require a hefty divesture from reality, if we are to invest ourselves in serial accomplishments of the actors super-human feats.
Thats OK, there is a very human need to step outside reality. The act of it relieves your brain of self-imposed limitations, and signals your body to renew itself in preparation of another run at super-human performance. Or after the dopamine subsides, going out to the workshop and using grandfathers tools to preserve his legacy held in those tools and the inheritance of his skillset.
The Last Samurai staring Tom Cruise, Dave Chappelle was so taken with this title he got inspiration for his next move “The Last Nigger on Earth” staring Tom Cruise
Great to see this kind of thoughtful writing on popular culture, this was my take on Final Reckoning from a different angle: https://open.substack.com/pub/thewiderangle/p/metacrisis-and-mission-impossible
Outstanding essay. I remember watching the movie and thinking there was something about besides it being thrilling, something that transcended the kraft. You put it so well into words. Great post.
Very interesting article. I enjoyed reading it. Thank you.
This is hands down one of the best things I’ve read all year. Just splendid. The perfect demonstration of the high-low approach. I teach a class in embodied cognition and this is going on the reading list!
Thank you for this gem of a piece. I loved reading every bit of it - and it whirled me through the movie and all other mentioned references!
This is an incredible piece of writing. God bless.
“And it occurred to me there is no manual that deals with the real business of motorcycle maintenance, the most important aspect of all. Caring about what you are doing is considered either unimportant or taken for granted.”
Robert M. Pirsig
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance