BENIGN TO FIVE
About three essays in, I realised that Blade Runner contained every jewel of wisdom and philosophical insight I needed to succeed in life.
Take the whole eye motif as an example. The eyes, the film tells us, are a window to the soul. Who could deny that? How do you tell if a colleague is lying? Eyes. How do you tell if your boss is upset? Eyes (fire in theirs, spittle in yours). How do you tell if an interviewer fancies you? Eyes (specifically, one open, one momentarily closed).
But there are so many more lessons we can learn from the neon-blushed streets of 2019 LA that apply to the workplace: don't let old bosses lure you back to burdensome jobs by playing the societal status card; worried about broaching a sensitive subject with a workmate? Consider origami or matchsticks; when work takes you to a stripper's dressing room, disguise your true identity by employing a nasal "nerd" voice and saying you're from the union; if you need a vague memory verified, the boss' niece will be able to help; if you dream about unicorns, don't make too many long-term plans.
No idea what I'm talking about? Then it's time for a trip to the video shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The article is a playful personal essay about the author's long-running fascination with the film Blade Runner. It explains how the movie's themes and visuals — especially the eye motif and quirky plot moments — contain surprising life and workplace lessons that everyday investors (as people who work, negotiate and make decisions) may find entertaining and thought‑provoking.
The author admits to writing dozens of essays on Blade Runner because the film offered a rich source of philosophical insight and metaphor. When a direct topic wasn't possible, the author would compare subjects like the Australian Constitution or literary themes back to Ridley Scott's movie, finding it contained many useful ideas for essays and life.
The article highlights the film's eye motif as a key metaphor — eyes are described as a window to the soul. The author uses that idea humorously to explain how eyes can reveal lying, anger or attraction, turning a cinematic symbol into everyday interpersonal guidance.
The piece lists several tongue‑in‑cheek workplace takeaways inspired by the film: don't let former bosses lure you back with status; consider creative approaches (origami or matchsticks) to broach sensitive topics; use a disguise or alter ego in awkward settings (the author gives a humorous ‘nerd’ voice example); ask a helpful contact (the boss's niece) to verify a fuzzy memory; and if your dreams are fanciful (unicorns), avoid making too many long‑term plans.
In a playful vein, the article suggests unconventional tactics — for example, using origami or matchsticks as icebreakers when approaching sensitive subjects. The recommendation is presented humorously rather than as literal professional advice, reflecting the essay's whimsical tone.
They are mainly humorous and whimsical observations drawn from Blade Runner. While some points carry a kernel of real-world wisdom (like being cautious about rejoining former employers), most of the examples are tongue‑in‑cheek and meant to amuse rather than serve as formal career guidance.
The author uses several oddball examples: disguising yourself with a nasal ‘nerd’ voice and claiming to be from the union in a stripper's dressing room; relying on the boss's niece to verify a vague memory; and treating unicorn dreams as a signal not to overcommit to long‑term plans. These exemplify the essay's blend of pop‑culture analysis and workplace satire.
If the references or the author's angle on Blade Runner feel puzzling, the piece ends on a friendly note: it's time for a trip to the video shop — i.e., watch the film yourself to see why the author found so much meaning and fun in it.
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