Ha! Yes it does look like the 2001 monolith. That is one of my fave movies. It was ahead of its time in many ways and of course the brilliant framing by Kubrick is a lesson for any aspiring photographer! The man had an eye for symmetry.

In my opinion the take away from your ordeal is: one should try to conserve where you can, but not to the point of excessive worry. I cannot express it well, but the whole ying and yang of it...balance being key.