Dear Friends
Modern Times is a 1936 American part-talkie comedy film produced, written and directed by Charlie Chaplin.
This was Chaplin’s last performance as the iconic Little Tramp.
Working in an assembly line, the Tramp in this film depicts the struggles of survival in the (then) modern, industrialized world!
The Tramp is depicted as suffering greatly due to the stress and pace of the repetitive work. He eventually suffers a nervous breakdown and runs amok, getting stuck within a machine and throwing the factory into chaos; he is then sent to the hospital.
In 1936, Chaplin seemed to suggest that authority takes advantage of the working class and prioritizes efficiency over humanity.
“Modern Times” also depicts the difficulties of American life at that time!
90 yeas later, I am wondering what has changed?
Are today’s modern times any different?
Why do I constantly keep reading terms like “toxic work culture” and “psychological safety” “mental health” all the time?
Is humanity now prioritised over efficiency today or is efficiency still prioritised over humanity? Is it the same or worse?
Interestingly, it appears that one of the inspirations to produce the movie was a conversation with Mahatma Gandhi where they discussed modern technology. They apparently agreed that “machinery with only consideration of profit” had put people out of work and ruined lives. Wow! so what about AI?
What have we accomplished after all these decades of research, after the thousands of books being written?
No better way to celebrate my 101st Tuesday Greys post, I thought!
If you wish, please do watch this 4 minute clip from the film.
