Post #16 — Lecture — Electronic Media and Performance

Electronic media uses VHS tapes, DVDs, streaming, neon lights, and barcodes, as well as audio and video recordings. Basically, virtual reality becomes more and more realistic. Some examples of shows/films that utilize the concept of virtual reality could be "Sword Art Online," and "Free Guy." These mechanical forms of digital entertainment were often used for the education of the military and law enforcement. Mass media is essentially the worldwide web of social media platforms that are connected via the internet. Walter Benjamin has a lot to say about the television system: "The eye of the camera is different from our own eyes. We have a type of visual interpretation that can be tricked by the screens. The mass consumption of objects can be used for political gain, and can be used to take advantage of the gullibility of humans. I can no longer think what I want to think; my thoughts have been replaced by moving images." He also believed that televisions were stealing the "aura" and authenticity of art pieces through their wide connections across the country. Art is slowly becoming more scientific than philosophical. In short, Benjamin is very skeptical and suspicious of television systems and their uses in this Age of Mechanical Reproduction. An example of political use could be the footage of the first American landing on  the moon. 600,000,000 million people worldwide were glued to their old screens for this moment. This footage would later be uncovered (or rather, rediscovered) and preserved by the U.S. government space agency, NASA. Still, some people deny this footage's reality, as they believe that it is "fake news." Videos and art, when spread across the internet, could be edited to look real, so people are rather skeptical, as Benjamin once was.

DISCUSSION:

The first experimental film, "DISCONNECTED," was an interesting take on how social media affects people. The likes and numbers engraved on the woman's shoulder could be seen as a mark, a burden that some people must bear to make themselves feel more significant. Really, the woman feels unhappy, depressed, and desperate about her online situation. Another experimental film, "Experimental Film," (yes) can be noted for its absolutely confusing visuals that do not give an exact explanation as to what is going on. It keeps the viewers guessing, as there is no definitive, or in-your-face, plot for the film. It could be an alien invasion, the deadliness of drugs and smoking, or the grief of losing a loved one.