Topic 4 - Old Communication Technologies

Lecture:

The lecture was a sort of chronicling of old communication technologies, starting with rock art, and progressing through Phoenician alphabet tablets, telegraphs, etc. Also Walter Benjamin was discussed at great length probably to give us some background on the author for our readings. The majority of the lecture seemed to focus on Walter Benjamin and other related authors than old communications tech. I suppose one I start the reading I will be grateful for it. I did find his life to be an interesting story, and also his death, in my opinion was very heroic.


Readings:

Walter Benjamin's reading, although a bit tough to digest was very insightful. It would seem he had a rather vast knowledge of the film, and photography industries. His constant comparison to Marxist philosophies made it a bit difficult to follow him at times, but once the message was delivered it was rather profound. The idea that mechanical reproduction can lower or numb people's appreciation of fine works of art because they are so commonplace , and readily available is one worth considering. Would all forms of beauty and art then also be enhanced by making them available to only a select few? One can only wonder. I personally would argue that it would enhance the practice of art, making artists strive to stand out in an ocean of mediocrity.


Tutorial:

The topics of the lecture were discussed in finer details, in particular other forms of old communication technologies. Also the authors mentioned in the lecture were briefly discussed. The idea I suppose was to make the students think about what their lives would be like if these old forms of communication were all that was available to us, as opposed to the plethora we have at our disposal today. It may or may not make one appreciate these innovations.