Where would our society be without morality? Many believe that such social constructions are simply facades and disaster helps break these down, revealing our brutal, primal natures. Others still believe that our evolution has changed in the last several hundred years: No longer are genes the primary transmitter of human survivability. Memes, that is information communicated from one brain to another as posited by some philosophers in the mid-20th century, have become a driving force in human evolution.
Filmmaker Richard Heap and Evolutionary Psychologist Michael Mills examine the idea that our social relationships, interactions, and expressions may be pushing our bodies to change. Our own constructions are forcing us to evolve in new and strange ways. Ticket to Ride is a thought experiment that questions whether humanity will be able to correct its path toward ecological destruction.
While the content of Ticket to Ride is an interesting thought experiment, it engages in far too much analogy and far too little scientific evidence for the claims it makes. In some ways, it reminds me of the ‘ancient aliens’ documentary series in its bold claims backed up by rhetoric alone. Because of this, some professors of philosophy or ethics may use the program for the thought experiment contained within, but it would not see extended academic use.
Ticket to Ride would be more popular in public library collections: Its edgy, pessimistic style and compelling use of archival footage would be welcome in a pop-sci documentary biosphere overpopulated by more polite stylings. The idea of social evolution is fascinating, and it’s a shame this documentary didn’t dive deeper into the scientific proof of the theory. While some will find the rhetoric of this documentary compelling, others will find it lacking in substance. Those looking to add to their pop-sci documentary collections should consider Ticket to Ride - Society, Morality, and Evolution. Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Ticket to Ride would fit next to pop-sci and behavior documentaries.
What kind of film series could use this title?
A film series about climate change, social behavior, or evolution could use this title.