Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) was one of the most influential science fiction writers in history. Clarke’s screenplay for the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, remains a landmark in modern culture’s approach to human evolution, artificial intelligence, and extraterrestrial intelligence.

Group Activity

These activities are great starting points for discussions and classes. You can use them all or choose one option.

1. Give each person the same incomplete quote.
   • Ask group members to think about what word is missing from the quote. They could also use their imagination to come up with a funny or nonsensical word that makes the completed quote strange or humorous.
   • When all group members have discussed their words, reveal what the correct word is.
   • Ask group members if they agree with the statement in the quote.
2. Divide the group into several teams and give each team the same incomplete quote.
   • Each team should discuss and agree on what they believe the missing word is.
   • Then, each team should present their complete quote, and if the teams have different versions, each team should explain their reasoning and defend their choice of word.
   • After the debate, reveal what the correct word is.
   • Ask the group members if they agree with the statement in the quote.
3. Ask the group: What did Arthur C. Clarke really mean? Do you think we will one day create something god-like? Could artificial intelligence resemble a god?
4. Assign each person a different quote from the list on Quote Quest.
   • Ask group members to think about what word is missing from their quote. They could also use their imagination to come up with a funny or nonsensical word that makes the completed quote strange or humorous.
   • Ask each person to read the quote with their choice of word.
   • Give each person the complete quote with the correct word and ask them to read it again and say whether they agree with the statement in the quote.
5. Ask group members if they can think of a current event or an event from their own lives that corresponds with the quote. You could also ask them if the quote relates to a tv show, movie, game or book that they know.
6. Ask group members to make up their own quote or saying. If they had one message to convey to the world, what would it be?