This year’s TED conference is underway, with the likes of Bill Gates and James Cameron giving talks (along with the ubiquitous Michael Shermer…yarg). TED talks have become some of the net’s most downloaded videocasts (well worth subscribing to through iTunes), and the quality extends down the line to the smaller TEDx events – a program of local, self-organized events “that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.”
Late last year District 9 creator/director Neill Blomkamp presented at TEDx Vancouver (via video), discussing the question of whether extraterrestrial civilisations might exist. He begins by pointing out that the aliens in his film – the ‘prawns’ – are “probably as far away from what aliens might realistically look like” as he could have created. He then goes on to give an excellent 10 minute summary of theories about the possibility of alien civilisations:
Almost expert enough to suggest he’s done some deep research into these topics – is this a hint to the next project from Blomkamp? With District 9 being nominated for this year’s Best Picture Oscar, one thing is sure…Blomkamp has gained himself plenty of credit which he could use in intelligently exploring the topic in movie form.
