# Late-'60s/early-'70s science fiction sub-genre: Technology gone bad **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies, ai\ **Created:** [December 21, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987 "2024-12-21T19:56:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/1 "2024-12-21T19:56:26Z")
My friend **Horror Mike** posted a video: [Did Elon Musk Remove AI Sci-Fi Film Colossus The Forbin Project To Protect His Own Super Computer?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEmAP3oFWos) (9:07). He posits that Musk, who is developing AI called ‘Colossus’ caused _Colossus: The Forbin Project_ to be removed from all streaming/rental services to avoid negative associations with his own project. Naturally, I had to put the Bluray into my shopping cart. This got me to thinking about a certain style/type of film that was popular around 1970. Here are some examples. Can you think of others? - _Fantastic Voyage_ (1966) - Outside of my timeframe, and not really ‘technology gone bad’, but it fits the ‘style’ I’m thinking of. - _Colossus: The Forbin Project_ (1970) - _The Andromeda Strain_ (1971) - _Soylent Green_ (1973) - _Westworld_ (1973) (And _Futureworld_ (1976), I guess.) - _The Clonus Horror_ (1979) - Outside of my timeframe; but again, I think it fits the ‘style’. I thought about _The Omega Man_ (1971) because it fits the filmmaking style; but I’m not including it because it’s post-apocalyptic rather than misused tech. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/2 "2024-12-21T20:33:42Z")
I’d also count 2001 because of HAL. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/3 "2024-12-21T20:37:10Z")
Fantastic Voyage doesn’t fit at all. But, many episodes of Star Trek do (e.g. - The Ultimate Computer). ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/4 "2024-12-21T20:56:45Z")
Demon Seed (1977) AI gets rapey. The Terminal Man (1974) Brain implants make you even crazier. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/5 "2024-12-21T20:57:02Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Fantastic Voyage doesn’t fit at all. Right. It’s about a major success for technology and skin tight diving suits. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/6 "2024-12-21T21:14:13Z")
I propose “Mutant 59: the Plastic Eaters” ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/7 "2024-12-21T21:33:31Z")
Also [Sssssss](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070622/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk) A college student becomes lab assistant to a scientist who is working on a serum that can transform humans into snakes. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/8 "2024-12-21T21:37:15Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I thought about _The Omega Man_ (1971) because it fits the filmmaking style; but I’m not including it because it’s post-apocalyptic rather than misused tech. _Planet of the Apes_ is post-apocalyptic BECAUSE of misused tech! ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/9 "2024-12-21T21:48:21Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > This got me to thinking about a certain style/type of film that was popular around 1970. “Technology gone bad” has been around since at least 1818, with Mary Shelley’s _Frankenstein_. The early Industrial Revolution created a lot of angst. Movies saw a huge uptick in anti-technology themes following the shock of the Atom Bomb–look at late-1940s-and-beyond Japan, to name but one center of such stories. Gojira! Your question about late-60s and early-70s might show a focus on computers alone, since the rest of technology had already been the subject of so many stories, and the idea of ‘computers putting people out of work’ was really gaining prominence. But we see this theme as early as the late 1950s: the Tracy/Hepburn comedy _Desk Set_ was about this idea. If there was a noticeable uptick in movies about bad computers menacing people in the time period you mention, maybe it was more a function of ‘Hollywood copies whatever makes money.’ ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/10 "2024-12-21T22:01:17Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > _The Andromeda Strain_ I don’t think this really fits. It’s a plague from space, not technology gone wrong. And the apocalypse is averted. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/11 "2024-12-21T22:01:47Z")
_Island of Terror_ (1966) – Radical cancer research unleashes silicon-based monsters which liquefy bones and tissue. _The Astro-Zombies_ (1968) – Although Dr. DeMarco (John Carradine) would undoubtedly disagree, his attempts to create an “Astroman” exemplify tech out of control. _They Saved Hitler’s Brain_ (1968) – Contains totally inappropriate use of tech. _The Incredible Two-Headed Transplant_ (1971) – Ditto. _THX-1138_ (1971) – Tech used to oppress society. _The Mind Snatchers_ (1972) – Brain implant is abused. _The Mutations_ (1974) – Unethical scientist crosses plants and humans. A monster and murders result. Several Frankenstein monster movies were made during the period in question, including _Blackenstein_ (1973) and _Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein_ (1973). Technically, any film with Godzilla would also qualify, especially those with Mechagodzilla. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/12 "2024-12-21T22:04:30Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > > [@beowulff](#): > > > > Fantastic Voyage doesn’t fit at all. > > Right. It’s about a major success for technology > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I don’t think this really fits. It’s a plague from space, not technology gone wrong. I included both of these because of the technology. And the filming style. For me, they have similar ‘feels’. > [@Dropo](#): > > _Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein_ (1973) AKA: _Flesh For Frankenstein_ Favourite line: ‘To know death, Otto, you have to fuck life… in the gall bladder!’ ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/13 "2024-12-21T22:05:47Z")
This will be the subject of a similar-themed movie made in the next few years: [https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/16/science/mirror-bacteria-research-risks/index.html#:~:text=A%20group%20of%2038%20scientists,of%20exposure%20to%20dangerous%20pathogens](https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/16/science/mirror-bacteria-research-risks/index.html#:~:text=A%20group%20of%2038%20scientists,of%20exposure%20to%20dangerous%20pathogens). ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/14 "2024-12-21T22:20:45Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > If there was a noticeable uptick in movies about bad computers menacing people in the time period you mention I would say some of it was due to 3 of the mentioned works being by Michael Crichton ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/15 "2024-12-21T22:22:12Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > I would say some of it was due to 3 of the mentioned works being by Michael Crichton Yeah, he did seem to have a “thing” about that. (In later years he progressed to obsessing about nano-technology, but of course that’s basically related…) ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/16 "2024-12-21T22:33:58Z")
I watched Colossus:the Forbin Project a few months ago on YouTube, but yes; it’s gone now. It’s still up on [The Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/colossus-the-forbin-project-1970) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/17 "2024-12-21T22:34:59Z")
I think [Saturn 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_3) maybe fits the criteria ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/18 "2024-12-21T22:36:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > He posits that Musk, who is developing AI called ‘Colossus’ caused _Colossus: The Forbin Project_ to be removed from all streaming/rental services to avoid negative associations with his own project. That’s interesting. The Colossus AI is here in Memphis (and I’m not happy about that). Just yesterday I was thinking about its association with The Forbin Project movie and checking online noticed that it was not available on streaming services. I did find it on Internet Archive if anyone wants to watch it for free. [Colossus The Forbin Project ( 1970) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/colossus-the-forbin-project-1970) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/19 "2024-12-21T22:41:09Z")
Y’know, Musk could have just… named his AI project something else. ---
**Author:** ![john\_b\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@john\_b\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_b_2)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987/20 "2024-12-21T22:44:40Z")
Strother Martin was the snake guy, right? I don’t mean the snake itself but the brain guy whose weird science experiments got the plot rolling. I found it to be a fun, entertaining movie, better written and acted than Night Of The Lepus. Sss was a sort of B cult horror, but not a big cult film overall. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-60s-early-70s-science-fiction-sub-genre-technology-gone-bad/1011987.md?page=2)