[idm]

Also, HAL 9000 was "born" in Urbana, Illinois. I doubt that sheds any light on why the author included the reference, but it definitely overlaps. (EDIT: Dennis Baron, the author of the book discussed in the article, teaches at Urbana-Champaign).

I think you might be onto something with the way 2001 depicts communication. I think the film is so ingenious in its presentation of "future technologies" in a mundane context. The movie has aged so well; I think that's a pretty accurate representation of some video chatting I've done, even though it took more than 40 years to materialize.

It's pretty hyperbolic to call 2001 a dystopia, especially if they're referring to the apparent lack of enthusiasm that accompanied communication.

Yes, HAL went on a murdering spree, but if that's all the Rossmeier (the article's author) is talking about, then he's missing the point of 2001.

Anyway, I agree: it's an odd reference. I think 2001 is one of the best movies I've seen (no joke), so I have a few thoughts on the matter...