About this episode

The episode discusses the nature vs. nurture debate as explored in the film Gattaca with guest Dr. Alan Whitehead.

Join Alex and Dr. Alan Whitehead as they tackle the age-old debate in psychology explored in the film Gattaca (1997) — nature vs. nurture! The film was written and directed by Andrew Niccol and stars Ethan Hawke as Vincent, a man who was born normally (a shock, we know!) and predicted to die at 30 years old. He doesn't accept that fate based on his genes alone and vows to go to Titan by using Jude Law's Jerome Eugene Morrow's life, a man who was a genetic wunderkind. The film also stars Uma Thurman as Irene, Vincent's love interest (and Ethan's as well). Don't forget Ernest Borgnine and Alan Arkin! The central question of the film asks: are genes destiny or can fortune favor the experiences and determination of a life? The discussion also wonders what the point of all of this eugenics would actually be and why everyone is so interested in going to space. The best way to beat your genes? Swim out into the middle of the ocean! Check out Alan's workplace and sports consulting org: Mirthworks Institute Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com), on Facebook (@CinPsyPod), or Threads/Instagram (@cinemapsych_podcast). We'd love to hear from…

People in this episode

Host: Alex

Guest: Dr. Alan Whitehead

Topics covered

• nature vs nurture
• psychology
• space exploration
• genetics
• film analysis
• eugenics

Keywords

• Gattaca
• nature vs nurture
• psychology
• genetics
• space
• film analysis
• Ethan Hawke
• Jude Law
• Uma Thurman

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mirthworks Institute

Books & works: Gattaca

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