In this pamphlet, the renowned anthropologist Bruce Kapferer revists Stanley Kubrick s classic film, "2001: A Space Odyssey," making the case for the continued relevance of its mythic force. Hailed in its time as a critical examination of European and American realities at the peak of the Cold War, in the late 1960 s, Kubrick s work is, as Kapferer shows, just as significant for the contemporary worldafter Iraq War, aftedr the crash, and in light of the many and various other effects of neo-liberalism. Kapferer tackles Kubrick s central theme: the changing relation of humanity to technology, as seen through the lens of Nietzsche s "Zarathustra" and the overarching concept of the Eternal Return. This tour de force by one of anthropology s most insightful and imaginative thinkers testifies to the mythic power of Kubrick s film, and its refusal to go away."

Bruce Kapferer is professor in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Bergen, Norway, and honorary professor at University College London. He is the author of several books, including, most recently, Legends of People, Myths of State.