EPISODE 341 - DO I GET THE FOUR YEARS BACK

EPISODE 341 - DO I GET THE FOUR YEARS BACK
In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound impact of the 1976 sci-fi movie "Logan's Run" on his childhood and its enduring message on life and mortality. Hadfield recalls the chilling experience of watching the film as a young boy, especially the scene involving a terrifying robot in an ice cave. He contrasts the special effects of "Logan's Run" with those of "Star Wars," noting how the latter revolutionized the industry.
The episode explores the film's dystopian premise where society's inhabitants live in a domed city, leading idyllic lives until they are forced to sacrifice themselves at the age of 30. This narrative sets the stage for a discussion on the illusion of security and the importance of living life to the fullest. Hadfield shares a pivotal scene from the movie where the protagonist, Logan 5, is tasked by an artificial intelligence to infiltrate and destroy a sanctuary for those who refuse to conform. This mission abruptly reduces Logan’s remaining lifespan from four years to zero, forcing him to confront his mortality.
Hadfield connects this to the concept of the "thick and mystic moment" – a sudden, radical change that redefines one's life direction. He emphasizes the symbolic use of the ankh in the movie, representing life and the importance of truly living, not just existing. Drawing from a 70-year-old article titled "When Will You Start to Live?" by Shirley Moore, he underscores the tendency to postpone living, waiting for a future that never arrives.
Hadfield encourages listeners to seize the present and make the most of their lives, challenging them to break free from the routine and embrace the unknown. He concludes with a poignant quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "We are always getting ready to live but never living," urging everyone to start living now, while there is still time.