2001 the book, if read before seeing the movie made the film a heck of a lot more understandible....all that sybolic crap from the movie that made it a hit among the recreational substance abuse crowd was a lot more palitable having read Clarke’s excellent book.
When I first saw 2001, I couldn’t figure out what that big black bar was supposed to represent. But now I think I know. It was the Remote Control. Back in the 60’s when the movie first came out, hardly anyone had a remote control device in their homes. Of course, now there isn’t a house without one, and probably has 3 or 4. (Just kidding, but thought it was interesting).