Week 3

Question 1

What is Rule 1 of Revelation?

Answer 1

“You can’t get different from same”
- meaning revelation is always rooted in what we already know

Question 2

What is Rule 2 about of Revelation?

Answer 2

“The present moment is always entirely familiar and entirely open. It’s both”

Question 3

How does Louise’s character “break” Rule 2?

Answer 3

Because she sees the future in the present/now, transcending typical temporal boundaries

Question 4

What is the significance of Arrival being “a great example of Rule 1”?

Answer 4

It demonstrates how revelation builds upon existing knowledge while revealing something new

Question 5

What is meant by “generality” in the context of language?

Answer 5

When language enters the scene, it creates abstract categories and concepts that can limit our ability to experience things in their unique particularity

Question 6

Explain the quote about monsters becoming pets

Answer 6

When we label and categorize something as a “monster,” we domesticate it and remove its mysterious, unpredictable nature, effectively turning it into something familiar and controlled

Question 7

What is the difference between “le futur” and “l’avenir”?

Answer 7

Le futur is the predictable, programmed future we can anticipate
L’avenir refers to the unexpected “to come” that we cannot foresee

Question 8

What is a “bounded question” versus an “unbounded question”?

Answer 8

A bounded question has defined limits and parameters, while an unbounded question remains open to unexpected possibilities and interpretations

Question 9

Why is the distinction between futures important to the Study of Religion?

Answer 9

Because revelations happen in futures that are unforeseen and unexpected, making it a key element of religious experience

Question 10

What is “The Other” in relation to l’avenir?

Answer 10

The Other is that which comes without our ability to anticipate its arrival, representing the truly unpredictable aspect of the future

Question 11

How does the concept of “real future” relate to religious revelation?

Answer 11

The real future (l’avenir) involves the completely unpredictable arrival of The Other, which is central to how revelations occur

Question 12

What are the different forms “The Other” can take?

Answer 12

God, something new/confusing, a stranger, a robot, aliens/UFOs, a shadow, or even one’s own conscience

Question 13

What are the key characteristics of “The Other”?

Answer 13

• Cannot be entirely absorbed or known
• Always challenges our desire for complete knowledge and control
• Reminds us that we are not and will never be God

Question 14

How does “The Other” relate to revelation?

Answer 14

The Other is the one who reveals to us, bringing unexpected knowledge or understanding that we couldn’t anticipate

Question 15

According to Derrida, what are the two kinds of future and how do they differ?

Answer 15

1) Predictable, foreseen, next (positive space/time of invention)
2) Unforeseen, undetermined, now (negative space/time of genesis)

Question 16

How does Lawlor explain the paradox of present experience?

Answer 16

Every experience happens in the present moment, but contains both memory of the past and anticipation of the future, making it both unique and repeatable

Question 17

How are “Next” and “Now” related in the present moment?

Answer 17

Both the foreseen “next” and unforeseen possibility “now” are present in each moment of “the present”

Question 18

Why is a circular rather than linear model of time needed to represent simultaneous access to past, present, and future?

Answer 18

Because a circle can represent simultaneous access to all temporal points at once, while a linear diagram suggests sequential access only

Question 19

What is the relationship between revelation and not knowing?

Answer 19

Not knowing everything that’s coming up allows us to be surprised by revelation; this uncertainty is necessary for revelation to occur

Question 20

How does the film “Arrival” symbolize this concept of circular time?

Answer 20

It represents simultaneous access to all times at once, with one possible future, rather than linear progression of past, present, and future.

Question 21

What is the significance of the break/mark in Arrival’s circle?

Answer 21

It represents the point of revelation/understanding where Louise gains access to non-linear time perception through the heptapod language.

Question 22

How does Dark City’s spiral represent revelation differently from Arrival’s circle?

Answer 22

The spiral represents forced, injectable revelation through memory manipulation, showing a more linear and controlled progression of understanding.

Question 23

What is the role of language in Dark City’s spiral and the circle in Arrival?

Answer 23

Arrival: Natural, voluntary learning through language (circle = complete, unified understanding)
Dark City: Artificial, forced understanding through injection (spiral = forced entry into consciousness)

Question 24

How do both symbols represent different approaches to “understanding beyond human perception”?

Answer 24

Arrival: Louise chooses to learn and transform, with a gradual understanding through language learning.
Dark City: Murdoch has transformation forced upon him, with immediate understanding through injection.

Question 25

What are the two sides of a revelation according to the slides?

Answer 25

the revelation itself and its receiver

Question 26

What are prophets?

Answer 26

- receivers of revelation

Question 27

What is a prophecy?

Answer 27

the content of a revelation

Question 28

What is the key difference between a prophet and other receivers of revelation?

Answer 28

Prophets are special receivers who can communicate across "impassable" abysses and are witnesses to both simultaneity and discontinuity

Question 29

How does Cassandra's prophetic ability differ from Louise's in "Arrival"?

Answer 29

Cassandra received her ability from the god Apollo (divine source: see the future), while Louise received hers from the heptapod writing (alien intelligence)

Question 30

What is the fundamental difference between prophecy and prediction?

Answer 30

- Predictions are traceable from existing knowledge - Prophecies often come from sources beyond our understanding

Question 31

How does Louise's role as a linguist relate to her prophetic abilities?

Answer 31

Her background in linguistics allows her to approach and understand the heptapod language, which then gives her access to simultaneous time perception

Question 32

What makes Louise's prophetic experience unique compared to traditional prophets?

Answer 32

She gains her ability through learning an alien language rather than divine intervention, and can actually experience the future rather than just receive messages about it

Question 33

How does the concept of "You can't get different from same" apply to Louise's prophetic abilities?

Answer 33

Even though she gains new abilities, they come through her existing expertise in linguistics - the new (different) comes through what she already knows (same)

Question 34

How do the roles of Angel Gabriel and the heptapods compare as messengers?

Answer 34

Both serve as "divine proxies" or intermediaries - Gabriel brings God's message to Mary - the heptapods bring their language/knowledge to humanity through Louise

Question 35

What is the parallel between Mary's acceptance of the divine message and Louise's response to the heptapods?

Answer 35

Both women receive extraordinary revelations that will change their lives and require them to accept a profound transformation of their understanding

Question 36

How do the concepts of "divine proxy" in Luke 1 and "alien messenger" in Arrival differ?

Answer 36

While both are supernatural "autres" (others), Gabriel represents a traditional religious messenger, while the heptapods represent a scientific/linguistic form of revelation

Question 37

What are the two contrasting approaches to receiving revelation?

Answer 37

One approach suggests that only a well-prepared mind can recognize revelation (Louise), while the other suggests being an open, empty vessel is necessary (mary).

Question 38

How does Louise respond to encountering the visitors in "Arrival"?

Answer 38

She responds through language and identifies herself in difference as "Human"

Question 39

What perspective do some religious traditions take regarding revelation?

Answer 39

They guide adherents to "have the mind of a child" and feature narratives of the unlikely and "unimportant" being called to great things.

Question 40

What philosophical question does Louise's character raise about preparation for revelation?

Answer 40

Whether her mind was "trained" or "cultivated" as a linguist to recognize the revelation, or if her openness allowed her to receive it.

Question 41

How does "The Fifth Element" represent unique learning and revelation?

Answer 41

The film created an original language that allowed Leeloo's character to learn at an instantaneous speed, different from normal human learning.

Question 42

What model of revelation is presented in "Dark City" (1998)?

Answer 42

The film shows revelation through Schreber's injectable "guidance," representing how an omniscient (knows everything) being can enable a non-omniscient being to experience rapid revelation.

Question 43

How does Louise's response to revelation differ from other characters in the film?

Answer 43

She approaches it through linguistic understanding and self-identification

Question 44

What is Ian's primary approach to understanding the visitors?

Answer 44

He approaches the situation with a scientific perspective, seeking to understand through measurement and data

Question 45

How does Ian's scientific background influence his response to revelation?

Answer 45

He relies on empirical evidence and scientific methodology, looking for measurable and quantifiable aspects of the encounter

Question 46

What is Colonel Weber's primary role in the revelation process?

Answer 46

He acts as a catalyst and oversees the process of communication and translation

Question 47

What key question does Colonel Weber need to address and how does he function as a translator?

Answer 47

"How can this be used against us?" - He needs to explain the situation to a roomful of men concerned about security implications - serves as an intermediary, translating between the scientific/linguistic team and military leadership

Question 48

How does Shang's "chess master" approach differ from other responses?

Answer 48

He treats the situation like a strategic game, focusing on long-term implications and strategic moves

Question 49

What is the role of "the inciter" in the revelation process in Arrival?

Answer 49

they are the first authority who imposes the vocabularies we use to understand the situation

Question 50

What is the main premise of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Answer 50

It suggests that the vocabularies introduced into thinking can affect or even determine what can be thought

Question 51

What example from "1984" (Syme) relates to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Answer 51

It shows how controlling language can control thought, demonstrating the power of vocabulary in shaping understanding (they shorten the dictionary)

Question 52

How do the inciter and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis interact in shaping responses to revelation?

Answer 52

The inciter provides the initial vocabulary, which according to Sapir-Whorf, shapes how people can think about and understand the revelation

Question 53

What is the primary function of Science Fiction as a form of commentary?

Answer 53

It explores realms of the unexplored, the unanswerable, and the utopian/dystopian through technology, outer space, alien visitors, or the paranormal

Question 54

How did The Twilight Zone address American cultural fears?

Answer 54

It explored existential fears of living right under the surface of suburban normalcy through science fiction narratives