Some thoughts
I haven't ridden the new Spaceship Earth, and my personal opinions on Epcot's thematic elements may lead some of you to categorize me as a "purist." So be it, they're my opinions and not up for discussion. What can be discussed is this blog post's accuracy, and the so-called facts its trying to convey.
The original Spaceship Earth was the result of the combined effort of countless artists--among them at least three certified geniuses: Buckminster Fuller, John Hench and the visionary poet Ray Bradbury.
As far as I can tell, much of these genius' work is still intact. The Bucky ball is still a Bucky Ball. Many of Hench's designs are still used where they're appropriate. I'm a bit dismayed over the reworking of Bradbury's script, but that's mainly because I'm skeptical that someone other than Bradbury would have made an improvement. From the blog post, it seems as though Disney tried too hard to make history such as Ancient Rome relevant to today's guests. Referring to books as a "back-up system" is rather awkward, and people, even children can understand the value of books without the awkward post 2000 A.D. vernacular.
While we’re on the subject of narration, it's important to note show writers removed the word “Islamic” and replaced it with “Arab.” Why would they do that? Aren’t Muslims our fellow passengers aboard Spaceship Earth as well?
They really missed the point on this one. The time period the ride is talking about focuses on a time and place, the rise of Islam during that period isn't what's important. Changing the term to Arab instead of Islamic is more accurate, because believe it or not, Jewish and Christian Arabs were doing the same things, in the same place, at the same time.
There was another odd change in the renaissance scene. A sculpture of a woman with a bare breast has been replaced with a covered-up version. Really? We’re too prude for the renaissance now? Seriously? The renaissance!?
I agree with his criticism here.
I don’t care if it is the 1970s and you like to climb into a cage at Studio 54 after work, but when you come to work as a lab tech you better dress like a lab tech, young lady. This costume design choice is fundamentally wrong.
As someone who didn't live in the 70's, I find it hard to comment here. I think their theme is confused, and trying to convey too many things by having the girl wear a labcoat and a skirt, but if someone can confirm that that was common attire for a young female lab tech in the 60/70s, I have no problem with it.
I wonder if anyone remembers the last time WDI installed video screens in ride vehicles. It was for a little fiasco called Superstar Limo. Why would anyone want to duplicate any element of that show?
Logical Fallacy - Fallacy of the Consequent. Just because Superstar Limo had video screens, and Superstar Limo sucked, it is *not* true that all rides with video screens must suck.
An unintentional metaphor to be sure but I can’t help but read the message as: “stare at your own television, ignore the world passing by you and we’ll protect you from the dangers of marble nudity and big words you don’t understand.”
I'm also a Bradbury fan, but you can't write, then ignore, what I've bolded above. Its unfortunate that its so easy to make this metaphor, and I can't deny its there, but as the author says, its unintentional to be sure.
These changes don't seem as (Spaceship) Earth shattering as the alarmist author would like you to think. Again, I can't comment on the ride itself as I haven't been lucky enough to ride it yet after the refurb, but this doesn't seem worth getting worked up about. Now, if we want to talk about Nemo replacing SeaBase Alpha, Mission: Space replacing Horizons, or Test Track replacing World of Motion...I'm all ears.
