the Tron-Microsoft parallel - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sion · 05-29-2003, 06:19 PM

ok, so I'm sure that someone else has noticed this before, but I have never seen it mentioned anywhere, so I thought I'd throw it out there. While watching a downloaded version of Tron the other day, I couldn't help noticing the following.

Tron: "evil" computer program called MCP (Master Control Program) that has a mind of its own, with needs and desires not necessarily in harmony with its user.

Microsoft: Windows

Tron: "evil" boss at huge corporation that created MCP

Microsoft: Bill Gates

I'm sure there is more, though that's all that springs to mind at the moment. Was Tron a glimpse at the future?

rubicon · 05-30-2003, 08:14 AM

TRON was written and made in the early 80s if memory serves me. I'm not sure if anyone was worried about MS taking over the world at that time.

I'd venture to guess IBM was a better target or Big Business in general.

Sion · 05-30-2003, 01:23 PM

yes rubicon, I know. I was just suggesting the possibility of Tron being prophetic.

oberon · 05-30-2003, 11:35 PM

Tron's a great movie anyway (I have watched it a few times recently). I know some hackers these days who tell me that the first time they heard the word "hacking" used this way was Tron in the early 1980's. Of course, I was too young for that.

I think it's rather silly to say that the movie was prophetic, to be honest. I mean, monopolistic companies have existed for quite a long time (think oil, steel, and railroads in the late 1800's and early 1900's).

zztzed · 05-31-2003, 01:39 AM

Don't forget that Microsoft actually issues a certification called the MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional).

KillerYoda · 05-31-2003, 03:51 AM

I always thought of Microsoft as more like Skynet.

clonmult · 06-02-2003, 05:38 AM

M$ *IS* similar to Skynet. Scary. And there are similarities between M$ and the Borg.

The name Cyberdyne systems has already been taken though (shame). Just checked, there are *lots* of companies calling themselves cyberdyne now. Idiots.

Cynthetiq · 06-02-2003, 07:16 AM

I don't see many Tron/MS parallels, but I do see lots of TRON/Matrix similiarities...

05-29-2003, 06:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	the Tron-Microsoft parallel ok, so I'm sure that someone else has noticed this before, but I have never seen it mentioned anywhere, so I thought I'd throw it out there. While watching a downloaded version of Tron the other day, I couldn't help noticing the following. Tron: "evil" computer program called MCP (Master Control Program) that has a mind of its own, with needs and desires not necessarily in harmony with its user. Microsoft: Windows Tron: "evil" boss at huge corporation that created MCP Microsoft: Bill Gates I'm sure there is more, though that's all that springs to mind at the moment. Was Tron a glimpse at the future? __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

05-30-2003, 08:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	TRON was written and made in the early 80s if memory serves me. I'm not sure if anyone was worried about MS taking over the world at that time. I'd venture to guess IBM was a better target or Big Business in general. __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.

05-30-2003, 01:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	yes rubicon, I know. I was just suggesting the possibility of Tron being prophetic. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

05-30-2003, 11:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	Tron's a great movie anyway (I have watched it a few times recently). I know some hackers these days who tell me that the first time they heard the word "hacking" used this way was Tron in the early 1980's. Of course, I was too young for that. I think it's rather silly to say that the movie was prophetic, to be honest. I mean, monopolistic companies have existed for quite a long time (think oil, steel, and railroads in the late 1800's and early 1900's). __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

05-31-2003, 01:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
zztzed Tilted Location: Here and there	Don't forget that Microsoft actually issues a certification called the MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). __________________ "It seemed to me that if humanoids eat chicken, then obviously they'd eat their own species, otherwise they'd just be picking on the chickens."

05-31-2003, 03:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
KillerYoda The Original Emo Gangsta Location: Sixth Floor, Texas School Book Depository	I always thought of Microsoft as more like Skynet. __________________ "So you're Chekov, huh? Well, this here's McCoy. Find a Spock, we got us an away team."

06-02-2003, 05:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
clonmult Crazy Location: Wherever I lay my hind quarters	M$ IS similar to Skynet. Scary. And there are similarities between M$ and the Borg. The name Cyberdyne systems has already been taken though (shame). Just checked, there are lots of companies calling themselves cyberdyne now. Idiots.

06-02-2003, 07:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I don't see many Tron/MS parallels, but I do see lots of TRON/Matrix similiarities... __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!