Week 7 : Cronenberg : Cinema and technology.

Lecture:
For the lecture we watched David Cronenberg's "Existenz". Another reality-questioning film which takes the approach of reality bending on the part of the video games industry. The plot is essentially a virtual reality game gone awry, and the audience, and protagonists must determine when we are being showed reality or virtual reality. It also depicts a rather dark side of human nature assuming their actions did not have any real-world consequences. The film seems to be an indictment on the games industry in general as many gamers actually behave much more differently as online personas, rather than themselves generally becoming much more extroverted, and in some cases sadistic. There may be a darker side to all of us that our repressed society is inhibiting.

Readings:
The readings this week were an alarming look ant the governments interests in all forms of media, as a form of propaganda, training, and desensitization of the masses as a means of preparation, or "training". People generally don't think at first glance of games like chess, checkers, or connect 4 as military strategy games, Risk, and Stratego sure, but the connection there is obvious, and intended. Most people don't realize how much of our entertainment, is centered around conflicts, and nationalist idealisms. During World War 2 it is mentioned, how Goebbles intentionally manipulated all forms of media into propaganda for the war effort, even having tropps sing marching songs before going into battle to override the self preservation instinct, and make his troops more fierce in battle. Indeed media can be a very effective weapon when manipulated properly. The disguise is too perfect to be perceived by all.

Tutorial:
I was not present for this tutorial.