2001 - what's your take on the monoliths?

Question

I've seen the movie and I've read the book. Personally, I'm glad I saw it before I read it, but I like both very much.

You are left to wonder about them after the movie, but then again, although the book explains them well, you are then left asking the same thing about the makers of the monoliths - still left with questions - I like that.

I do like the fact that in the book, the TMA-0 (Africa monolith) is actually transparent rather than ebony, if memory serves. Makes me think of all the little monoliths that serve as Hal's components in the movie. I wonder if the proportions of Hal's chips are 1x4x9?

Anyway...

If you have seen the movie - what's your take on the monoliths?
If you have read the book - what's your take on the monoliths?
If you have done both - what's your take on the monoliths?
If you have done both - which do you prefer? book or film?

Answer 1

I have seen all the movies so far and I've read all the books in the entire series. Arthur C. Clarke is my favorite Sci-Fi author. And I prefer the books to the movies simply because there is so much more THERE.

There have been numerous interpretations of the film over the years, but my own personal interpretation is that the monolith is symbolic of humanity's yearning for knowledge about our origins and purpose. In the movie, the monolith is first seen alongside the beginnings of human consciousness, almost seeming to symbolize man's huge leap into self-awareness. Later it appears to entice people into further discovery.

See the website below for an exhaustive look at the subject!