Revisionist History: Tim's Tolkien Obsession & Amazon Prime's The Rings of Power
Podcast Information:
- Title: Revisionist History
- Host/Author: Pushkin Industries
- Description: Revisionist History, guided by Malcolm Gladwell, delves into overlooked and misunderstood aspects of the past. Each episode re-examines events, people, ideas, or even songs, questioning whether our initial interpretations were accurate. Produced by Pushkin Industries, the podcast invites listeners to give the past a second chance through thoughtful analysis and storytelling.
Episode Details:
- Episode Title: Tim's Tolkien Obsession & Amazon Prime's The Rings of Power
- Release Date: August 30, 2024
Introduction
In this episode of Revisionist History, hosts Tim Harford and Alice Fiennes engage in a deep exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien's enduring legacy, particularly focusing on Amazon Prime's adaptation, The Rings of Power. Through their conversation, they intertwine themes from the podcast series Cautionary Tales, uncovering parallels between Tolkien's work and real-world cautionary narratives.
Background on The Rings of Power
Tim Harford initiates the discussion by expressing his long-standing admiration for Tolkien, stating, "I'm an absolutely massive fan of Tolkien. I've been a massive fan of Tolkien for approximately 45 years..." (01:42). The Rings of Power serves as a prequel to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, set thousands of years prior to those events. This series delves into the origins of pivotal characters like Elrond and Galadriel, portrayed by Robert Aramayo and Morfydd Clarke, respectively. It also uncovers the genesis of the Rings of Power and the One Ring, central elements of Tolkien's universe.
Key Characters and Their Arcs
Galadriel
Galadriel emerges as a central figure in the series. Tim observes, "Galadriel... is an incredibly determined pursuer of evil... absolutely unhinged" (02:49). Her relentless hunt for Sauron, even after his apparent disappearance, positions her as a complex character grappling with obsession and grief. Alice adds depth to Galadriel's portrayal, highlighting her battle against Morgoth alongside her brother Finrod and her subsequent isolation as others lose faith in her mission (06:33).
A pivotal moment occurs when Galadriel is commended for her bravery but is, in reality, being forcibly retired and stripped of her duties by King Gil-Galad. Tim draws a parallel to real-world whistleblowers, stating, "The way that we punish the people who are trying to alert us to danger... is a theme in certain cautionary tales and very strongly a theme in the early episodes of Rings of Power." (09:28). This comparison underscores the societal tendency to marginalize those who warn of impending threats.
Adar and the Orcs
Adar, portrayed by Joseph Maul, serves as a formidable antagonist. Alice describes Adar as "terrifyingly", and Tim connects his character to historical figures like Wernher von Braun and Hermann Hollerith, emphasizing their roles in constructing powerful, destructive technologies without regard for ethical implications (21:55; 38:12). The orcs, depicted as twisted and relentless, are central to the unfolding narrative of evil and destruction within Middle-earth.
Themes Explored
The Nature of Evil
A recurring theme in both The Rings of Power and the Cautionary Tales podcast is the contagiousness of evil. Alice notes, "this idea that evil is somehow contagious... knowing evil cuts you off from other people." (31:54). This notion is reflected in Galadriel's isolation and the broader societal denial of Sauron's resurgence.
Power and Corruption
Tim emphasizes the corrupting influence of power, particularly through objects like the Rings and the Palantiri (seeing stones). He states, "the Rings are, of course, a corrupting influence... The inherent power of the object corrupts the user." (36:15). This aligns with cautionary tales that warn of the dangers inherent in unchecked power and ambition.
Technology and Its Consequences
Drawing from the story of Herman Hollerith, Tim illustrates how technological advancements can be co-opted for nefarious purposes. The Hollerith machine, a precursor to modern computers, was utilized by Nazi Germany to exacerbate their genocidal efforts, highlighting the unpredictable ramifications of technological innovation (38:10).
Whistleblowing and Societal Reactions
The treatment of Galadriel mirrors real-world scenarios where whistleblowers face ostracization and punishment. Tim compares Galadriel to Ray Dirks, a whistleblower prosecuted by the SEC for uncovering a major fraud. He reflects, "she's extremely obnoxious... she's absolutely convinced she's right... she's kind of the whistleblowing hero." (10:18). This draws attention to the societal reluctance to accept uncomfortable truths presented by dissenting voices.
Real-World Parallels
Throughout the episode, Tim and Alice draw parallels between The Rings of Power and various real-world events and cautionary tales:
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Whistleblowing: The marginalization of Galadriel echoes the struggles faced by whistleblowers like Ray Dirks and historical figures like Anna Marie Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day, who faced societal backlash for defending her creation (14:10; 15:33).
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Technological Misuse: The story of Herman Hollerith serves as a cautionary example of how technology can be diverted towards harmful ends, reminiscent of the unintended consequences of the Rings and Palantiri in Tolkien's universe (38:10).
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Denial of Imminent Threats: The elves' denial of Sauron's return mirrors real-world scenarios where societies ignore or rationalize impending threats, such as the British disbelief in German radar advancements during WWII (34:48).
Notable Quotes
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Tim Harford: "Galadriel will not give up the hunt for [Sauron]." (02:31)
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Alice Fiennes: "Galadriel is absolutely unhinged." (06:33)
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Tim Harford: "Whistleblowing is often far more trouble than it's worth." (09:28)
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Alice Fiennes: "Whistleblowing is often far more trouble than it's worth. You might be shunned. It may be hard to find employment after." (09:28)
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Tim Harford: "The Rings are, of course, a corrupting influence. The Palantiri, these seeing stones, are a corrupting influence." (36:15)
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Alice Fiennes: "Something we see throughout the series is this idea that evil is somehow contagious." (31:54)
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Tim Harford: "Power corrupts. Whenever you have new technology, it could potentially be used for evil." (37:39)
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Alice Fiennes: "You can't always tell what's going to happen to an invention. I'm thinking of our episode the hero who wrote his Segway off a cliff." (42:29)
Conclusion
This episode of Revisionist History masterfully intertwines the rich lore of Tolkien's Middle-earth with contemporary cautionary tales, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on the timeless themes of power, corruption, and the nature of evil. Through the lens of The Rings of Power, Tim Harford and Alice Fiennes illuminate the enduring relevance of these narratives, urging reflection on both fictional and real-world implications.
Timestamps
- 01:11 - Introduction by Tim Harford
- 01:34 - Alice Fiennes introduces the topic
- 02:09 - Background on The Rings of Power
- 03:26 - Discussion on Elrond and Galadriel
- 04:24 - Origin of the Rings of Power
- 06:33 - Galadriel's character arc
- 09:28 - Whistleblowing parallels
- 10:18 - Galadriel as a whistleblowing figure
- 14:10 - Anna Marie Jarvis comparison
- 15:33 - Societal judgement of Galadriel and Jarvis
- 16:25 - Transition post-advertisement
- 21:55 - Adar's character and historical parallels
- 31:54 - Evil as contagious
- 34:48 - Denial of threats
- 36:15 - Power and corruption
- 38:10 - Herman Hollerith's cautionary tale
- 42:29 - The unpredictability of technological consequences