James Bond Influencing National Security Policy?

HLSBuzz

We all know that 007 shapes public taste in cars, clothes, and physical appearance (both male and female). But have you ever considered that Bond stories can also influence public perception regarding national security policies? This blog post explores the very contemporary national security themes of Skyfall and Spectre. Who knew 007 had so much power?

https://medium.com/homeland-security/shaken-or-stirred-how-james-bond-influences-homeland-security-policy-438ec055a964#.mj43lg8w8

HLSBuzz

HLSBuzz wrote:

We all know that 007 shapes public taste in cars, clothes, and physical appearance (both male and female). But have you ever considered that Bond stories can also influence public perception regarding national security policies? This blog post explores the very contemporary national security themes of Skyfall and Spectre. Who knew 007 had so much power?

https://medium.com/homeland-security/shaken-or-stirred-how-james-bond-influences-homeland-security-policy-438ec055a964#.mj43lg8w8

I wonder what national security policies are addressed by other Bond films. Quantum of Solace's water scarcity and Tomorrow Never Dies' concern over the influence of media moguls like Rupert Murdoch come to mind. Can anyone else think of examples in other Bond films?

Matt S

HLSBuzz wrote:

I wonder what national security policies are addressed by other Bond films. Quantum of Solace's water scarcity and Tomorrow Never Dies' concern over the influence of media moguls like Rupert Murdoch come to mind. Can anyone else think of examples in other Bond films?

Does the energy crisis in TMWTGG count?

HLSBuzz

Matt S wrote:

HLSBuzz wrote:

I wonder what national security policies are addressed by other Bond films. Quantum of Solace's water scarcity and Tomorrow Never Dies' concern over the influence of media moguls like Rupert Murdoch come to mind. Can anyone else think of examples in other Bond films?

Does the energy crisis in TMWTGG count?

Absolutely! The pursuit of solar power in the film is a clear response to the oil crisis at the time. Funny/sad that we're still working on that one, but I guess significant changes in energy policy take time...

chrisisall

HLSBuzz wrote:

I wonder what national security policies are addressed by other Bond films. Quantum of Solace's water scarcity and Tomorrow Never Dies' concern over the influence of media moguls like Rupert Murdoch come to mind.

Those are two of the biggest of issues today for real (Nestle' / Trump anyone?).

Loeffelholz

One could argue that the issue of all-encompassing electronic surveillance in SP (the Patriot Act on steroids) qualifies.

chrisisall

Loeffelholz wrote:

One could argue that the issue of all-encompassing electronic surveillance in SP (the Patriot Act on steroids) qualifies.

Yes, I don't think computers knowing when I visit the loo because I have a mobile phone on me is the best way to spend tax dollars... )

HLSBuzz

HLSBuzz wrote:

We all know that 007 shapes public taste in cars, clothes, and physical appearance (both male and female). But have you ever considered that Bond stories can also influence public perception regarding national security policies? This blog post explores the very contemporary national security themes of Skyfall and Spectre. Who knew 007 had so much power?

https://medium.com/homeland-security/shaken-or-stirred-how-james-bond-influences-homeland-security-policy-438ec055a964#.mj43lg8w8

I also have to wonder what issues the next several Bond films will tackle, building on the concerns raised in Skyfall and Spectre... Terrorism seems likely. Reemergence of Russia as a threat? Elon Musk taking over the world with a fleet of self-driving electric cars? (joking on that last one). What's your vote for most probably near-future Bond problems?

chrisisall

Lasers.
It's all about the lasers....

Jag

I'd go for large-scale tax evasion by the super-rich through offshore shell companies based in Caribbean tax havens.

chrisisall

Jag wrote:

I'd go for large-scale tax evasion by the super-rich through offshore shell companies based in Caribbean tax havens.

I'm totally down with that.
But laser threats are sexier.

Jag

chrisisall wrote:

Jag wrote:

I'd go for large-scale tax evasion by the super-rich through offshore shell companies based in Caribbean tax havens.

I'm totally down with that.
But laser threats are sexier.

There is nothing stopping the scriptwriters from creating a supervillain who is using the taxes hidden in the Caribbean to build a superlaser targeting tax offices of the world! )

Ornithologist

So how did Goldfinger influence Americans' opinion about the security of Fort Knox? :007)

HLSBuzz

Ornithologist wrote:

So how did Goldfinger influence Americans' opinion about the security of Fort Knox? :007)

Actually, I think Goldfinger was a cautionary tale about the dangers of full bodypaint.

chrisisall

HLSBuzz wrote:

full bodypaint.

This is why I like SP much better than SF... SF's main message is just needlessly Authoritarian in the end. Bond doesn't need to be on a leash or micro-managed; he needs to be set loose to keep us safe.

Snowden let us know that there are very few Bonds at work in this area, and lots of 'automatons' merely strictly following the whims of the clueless dudes at the top. 8-)