Danialle Dube - Final Exam

Positive Aspects of Invasive Technology

As more data is being collected about our daily lives, bringing some of it together can be a positive thing for society. Today, the City of Saginaw is compiling and analyzing code enforcement violations, ownership and rental license information, and crime data to identify areas that are less desirable to live. By using geographic information systems (GIS) to geocode the locations of these properties, we are able to perform spatial analysis to determine the areas of concentration of the most destructive activities and highest crime rates. Currently, one such neighborhood has been identified and a multi-tiered assault is being deployed.

First, the panoptic effect is utilized by informing the public of Shotspotter technology that can identify and locate gunfire. Signs are posted that notify citizens and visitors that the area is under video surveillance. These cameras are also connected with the Shotspotter equipment in order to pan to, locate, and monitor the areas identified having gunfire. Officers are immediately notified and sent to the area decreasing response times. Increasing the surveillance in the neighborhood can lead to a decrease in the number of crimes committed in the area due to fear of being witnessed and prosecuted.

Second, data from the Assessor's Office and Customer Accounting is analyzed including whether the primary residence exemption (PRE) or homestead exemption is claimed, if there is monthly water usage, and the name on the water bill to determine if the property is likely being used as a rental instead as of an owner’s residence. The inspections division then visits the suspected rental properties in the area to determine whether they are in fact rentals, and if so, conducts an inspection to determine if the property is up to code. The owner is notified then that a non-owner occupied license and yearly inspections are required for the property. Failure to comply with this regulation can eventually lead to the property ownership reverting back to the Saginaw County Land Bank and possible sale for redevelopment. This action reduces the number of poorly maintained rentals and helps to increase the quality of life for the occupants.

Lastly, using the global gaze of aerial imagery and GIS data analysis, pockets of code violations have been identified and tickets issued to help clean up the properties. Violations such as not keeping grass cut, having rubbish improperly placed at the road, junk vehicles and using property for other than its intended use, such as having cars parked in the front yard, are being enforced since they all contribute to a decreased sense of value of and in the neighborhood. By fighting this blight, residents are encouraged to maintain their properties since it will contribute to the well-being of the neighborhood and again increase the quality of life.

These three instances of invasive technology can assist the City and residents in rebuilding a neighborhood that had become a slum with improperly maintained homes, high crime rates and little to no curb appeal. Although this project is still in its early stages the benefits of bringing together data, gathering images and video, and creating maps can be seen to serve the needs of society.

Elaine's Final

Positive approach to surveillance gone global

Satellites and new technology have enabled our culture to become more global than ever. In our text, Practices of Looking, the author refers to us as “global citizens.” We are so used to knowing what is happening in the world around us and being under constant surveillance that we hardly even realize that this is new to our generation. Many times what we think we may have done in private is far from private. This has led to some very negative experiences for many and the concerns are valid. However, the shift from small town happenings to global awareness and tracking have helped a few families find children who have been abducted in a world so large that this would not have been possible prior to this global citizens’ era.

The trend of businesses throughout the developed world has been to have security systems that have surveillance cameras in place. Although there are not a lot of statistics available of the success of these systems, common sense and news stories often stand alone in telling the tale. Criminals are often caught because they are videotaped in action. This has to make some criminals think twice, because the fear of getting caught is a strong deterrent. Regardless of whether it has slowed down crime, it is a trend that has exploded. Most businesses have some type of surveillance. As a result, we are constantly being monitored and recorded.

One benefit beyond security and catching criminals is rescuing abducted children. Although it has not helped a ton of families rescue their missing children, it has helped a few. Prior to this trend of surveillance, finding a lost child was primarily objective. The searchers would have to make their best guesses about where to look. Even though there is still a lot of guess work involved in locating lost children, there has been a shift to a more subjective way to search. There are two advances in our global culture that help make the objective search more subjective. The first is the ability to look at the videos of a suspected siting and confirm if it is really the missing child. The second is the ability to broadcast the search into the homes of people everywhere. When there is a confirmed siting, the people in the area can be made aware and help in the search. This positive outcome in the “satellite panopticon” of our ability to observe and be observed everywhere has made life better for at least a handful of families.

The following are examples of missing children who have been found through the assistance of video surveillance and national media attention:

1)      The most recent miracle was the case of Brittany Smith. Her mother was murdered and she was allegedly kidnapped and taken out of her home state, Virginia. December 6 she was seen on camera at a Wal-Mart in California. CNN aired the story. “Recognizing their images from CNN, a San Francisco supermarket clerk alerted police after spotting a Virginia girl and her alleged abductor,” according to police. The girl was found safe and the man with whom she was found was arrested. This girl may not have been so fortunate had authorities not been able to identify her and post alerts in that area.

Police: Missing girl, alleged abductor panhandling before being found

By the CNN Wire Staff

December 13, 2010 11:23 a.m. EST

Surveillance video shows Easley and Smith at the Salem Wal-Mart on Dec. 3

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/10/virginia.missing.child/index.html?iref=allsearch

2)      In 2005, Shasta was kidnapped and missing for seven weeks before she was rescued. She is another fortunate victim who was rescued because of cameras.

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, July 5, 2005

Kidnapped Girl On Surveillance Cam

By Scott Benjamin

Authorities in Idaho say 8-year-old Shasta Groene told a horrifying story of violence and abuse at the hands of convicted sex offender Joseph Duncan. CBS News' John Blackstone reports

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/05/national/main706201.shtml

3)      In October of this year a child was abducted from the yard of her home. The mother was unable to find the truck that belonged to the abductor. However, the truck was taped on a video surveillance camera and through the help of citizen the girl was located and rescued. “A Video Policing surveillance camera captured the vehicle crossing a nearby intersection. More than one hundred police officers, along with sheriff's deputies and highway patrol officers searched through the night. But ultimately at around 6:30 in the morning Victor Perez saw the picture of the pickup on the morning news. He saw the truck pass by his home, ran out, got into his vehicle and gave chase.” http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=7709262

There are over 800 satellites surrounding our planet that advance technology to a new level of surveillance that is almost inconceivable. Through surveillance and other technologies the world has become very global. We have the ability to monitor and keep track of what is happening just about everywhere. These trends have become so much a part of our culture that we barely realize it. What we knew about the world used to be much more objective. Through video and personal experience we have a much more concrete basis for our thinking. Our thoughts and feelings are intertwined with information from around the world through our television in our homes. This awareness has shifted how we experience life. Although the intended use of most surveillance videos is to protect us from criminals or at least help apprehend them after the fact, there beneficial use extends beyond the intent. Satellite technology also had its origins in the protection of citizens. These advances in technology are interwoven into our postmodern culture. Ironically, in a world where the original intent and success of the inventions and use was to minimize crime, these devices and technologies sometimes allow for other invasion type crimes to be committed. However, the examples above show how video surveillance technologies along with the ability from satellite to broadcast those pictures have enabled authorities and citizens to be directly involved in the rescue of abducted children. The trends that have made us “global citizens” have made our world safer and in these cases have given a few families a modern day miracle.

Gina's Final - Global Subject and Global Gaze

The Cheezburger Network is a network of related websites which pull together photos with captions. Mostly these pictures show something funny occurring. In fact, that is the main focus of each of these websites: finding the funny in everyday life and everyday photos. People send in pictures, people vote on which captions are the funniest, and these photos with captions are posted on the main page, much like a post on a blog.

This network of sites is all about the Global Subject and the Global Gaze. The resources the technologies provide are simply funny pictures for people to look at, but they provide much more than that. One example of a good thing that these sites provide is they connect people to each other in a positive way. While the viewer may not know the creator/s of the image personally, it connects both people to each other with laughter, or whatever other reaction the viewer may have. And the creator gets the pleasure of knowing that he or she probably made someone laugh very hard at least once that day. Another good thing these sites do is express a current culture in an extremely current fashion, and also archives such culture. Not only do each of these pictures show what people are thinking about on any given day, but also what a huge number of people are looking at right at that very moment. It catalogs the gaze of people, and the reactions of the people commenting, in real-time.

 However, it also has some drawbacks. For example, one of the sites in this network is called Wedinator. It shows some pictures of some dubious ideas for weddings, sometimes with captions. While many of these pictures can be very funny from an objective standpoint, from a subjective standpoint (the standpoint of the people whose weddings those actually were, or someone who's thinking of doing the same thing for their own wedding perhaps), making fun of such a personal thing is offensive. I'm sure if I had a Star Wars wedding I would be offended to see it made fun of (though to be perfectly honest I would probably expect such derision—it's a super geeky thing to have as the theme of a wedding, and some might consider it tacky). The point is, the photos can very often be offensive without regards to the subjects within them. Also, I'm sure that many photos are used without the owner's permission—although, this may be something that the owners or subjects might not care about, if their photo is used to make something amusing enough to make it alright (take lolcats, for example—the subjects in the photos are unable to complain). Still, it's likely that the photos are used without permission—and there's nothing to stop people from using them, really.

How this technology is likely changing how we view ourselves is just like it says in the book: it's mixing the objective and the subjective; making us see ourselves in other people and other people in ourselves. We see ourselves from the outside and at the same time, see other people's inner workings. In terms of the Cheezburger Network, we're seeing ourselves being made fun of, other people being made fun of, and just generally silly and hilarious everyday things.

Danielle Wright -- Final Exam

A Con Approach to Public Surveillance Technology

http://ddanchev.blogspot.com/2006/06/big-brother-in-restroom.html

http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/97/05/crb97-005.pdf

     One controversial area that relates to Michel Foucault’s vision of the global gaze is the technology and use of public surveillance cameras. By utilizing surveillance cameras, governments are able to keep track of the public’s activities and are thereby able to control and discipline them when necessary. Many businesses and governments are employing these resources with the intention of reducing crime and/or to catch criminals in an illegal act by recording their actions and behavior. From the panopticism point of view in that individuals can always be observed by the guard tower yet don’t always know they’re being watched, the consideration of public surveillance cameras being a violation of one’s Fourth (and First) Amendment rights must be reviewed. Most individuals know that they are being watched when shopping or walking in a public place. It is one thing for a business to place cameras in their place of business and in parking lots with the intention of deterring crime or for a city government to place multiple cameras at an intersection to monitor public traffic; however, are one’s rights in violation if a camera is placed in a position (such as an alleyway) where the actions of an individual in the privacy of their home or backyard is suddenly called into question?

     In a landmark Supreme Court decision, Katz v. United States 389 U.S. (1967), the modern definition of the Fourth Amendment’s “search and seizure” law was defined. The court declared that “what a person knowingly exposes to the public, even in his own home or office, is NOT a subject of Fourth Amendment protection, but what he seeks to preserve as private, even in an area accessible to the public, MAY be constitutionally protected. Generally, a person walking along a public sidewalk or standing in a public park cannot reasonably expect that his activity will be immune from the public eye or from observation by the police.” The Court further defined that in United States v. Knotts 368 U.S. 276, 281-282 (1983), “a person traveling in an automobile on public thoroughfares has no reasonable expectation of privacy in his movements from one place to another. When that individual traveled over the public streets he voluntarily conveyed to anyone who wanted to look the fact that he was traveling over particular roads in a particular direction, and the fact of his final destination when he exited from public roads onto private property.” It is this reasoning that police are able to record individuals on public roads. The gist of it all is that when an individual is in a public place, they have the expectation that they are being watched and/or recorded. Public surveillance cameras placed in a position where an individual’s private world is being recorded, despite the reason why, is a clear violation of one’s Fourth Amendment right to privacy.

     In the postmodern world, the placement of surveillance cameras has to be questioned. Just because the technology exists does not mean that the institutions in power should execute it in any manner that they deem necessary. The privacy rights of individuals must be protected and guidelines must be incorporated, reviewed, and protected. In theory, cameras have the ability to deter crime, increase public safety, and provide evidence in criminal matters; however, invasion of privacy and the possibility of the image misuse are also viable issues and unfortunately, there are not studies to measure how effective utilizing public surveillance cameras are in the deterrence of crime. 

The Global Flow of Visual Culture

Cultural Imperialism

image source: http://mymovieposter.blogspot.com/2009/10/2-twilight-saga-new-moon-movie-posters.html

Cultural Imperialism is defined as "...how an ideology, a politics, or a way of life is exported to other territories through the export of cultural products." Here is one prime example of that. Above are two pictures of The Twilight Sagas movie--New Moon--in Korean in the top photo, and Japanese directly above. As New Moon and the Twilight Saga ultimately being a love story, these photos show the movie's exportation to Korea and Japan as also an export of America's youth's idea of ideal love. The love story then becomes applied not only to the youth of America as an ideal, but also to the youths of other countries.

And this is not the only example; it's just the only example I could find a picture of. Basically any movie made in Hollywood finds its way to other countries nowadays. Hollywood has something of a niche market in movies, and as such, its products generally find their ways into other countries in today's global society. It may not be that Hollywood or other American movie makers are intentionally trying to impose their views on other cultures, just that in today's world, they find their way there anyhow.

Niche Marketing

The Global Fund for Women

This organization was founded in 1987 by Anne Firth Murray who said,

" I'm a person who had a dream and was lucky enough to make that dream a reality—a dream of a worldwide network of women who would be both givers and receivers. A dream of an organization that would be open, curious, inclusive and trusting. A generous organization, that would work evenhandedly with women's groups around the world, with donors and volunteers, with staff and with others who joined our path. I came to believe in my nine years creating the Global Fund that it is vital to transform the world by changing the way people treat each other, and by modeling that kind of change behavior ourselves. We can count the achievement—the number of grants and donors, the amount of money raised—but I truly believe that the way we have done our work has been as important as what we have done."

She was succeeded by Kavita N. Ramadas.

This organization is promoting rights for women worldwide. They raise money to run several programs. The following are some of the programs they set up throughout the world:

• ·      Economic security – Help advance women’s benefits for what they contribute economic growth and development
• ·      Violence against women – Support programs that offer services to victims and raise awareness of their rights.
• ·      Education – Ensure access to education for females
• ·      Health – Education about basic health and sanitation and ensure good public health policies.
• ·      Leadership – Help women to become involved in leadership in all levels of government.

They are active in 171 countries and give grants to groups who submit proposals. Of the 3000 requests they receive each year, they are able to fill about 500 requests. Each grant is between $500 and $20,000. They are funded by donations. The following table show the percentage of the flow of money.

They are involved with larger organizations like the United Nations in promoting rights for women.

http://www.globalfundforwomen.org/what-we-do/media-center/news-releases/46-2010/1776-global-fund-celebrates-michelle-bachelets-appointment-to-head-un-women

They also have links to several global social networks.

http://www.facebook.com/GlobalFundforWomen

http://twitter.com/GlobalFundWomen 

http://www.youtube.com/globalfundforwomen
http://feeds.feedburner.com/globalfundforwomen

http://www.globalfundforwomen.org/what-we-do/media-center/news-releases/46-2010/1776-global-fund-celebrates-michelle-bachelets-appointment-to-head-un-women

The United States and a few other places in the world have promoted women’s rights for years. Organizations united across the globe are trying to help women achieve similar freedom and rights. Global Fund for Women started in 1987 and has been successful in advancing awareness to the concerns of women internationally. They have a specific agenda and join with other similar organizations that are also trying to make a difference in the world for women. They use marketing through radio, television, and newsletters and social networking online to bring awareness of their efforts and gain new members and raise more money. They hold events throughout the world promoting rights for women. For example, in November of this year they were in Durfar. Organizations like this one are gaining ground by promoting awareness throughout the world and in turn new organizations are founded to promote women’s rights. They have been successful. 

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.webjoogler.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/

Global Niche Market

Visual images and the media help shape the globalization of capital through global niche markets in which a sharing of a cultural identity is exchanged from country to country. Some media examples are television networks such as the Spanish channel "Telemundo" that is geared toward Spanish-speaking individuals around the globe. One unique example is FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, a worldwide soccer organization for men, women, and children. The sport of soccer unites individuals across numerous countries around the world. It has its own culture, its own visual language, and it shares an identity with its global audience. Fans are passionate about the game and view the competitions as exercises in country loyalty and strength. Games are broadcast around the world and even though the languages may vary, the images of the game and the rules are universal. Video games, websites, and films are dedicated to the sport with great anticipation. Founded in Paris in 1904, FIFA became the official global organization to oversee the popular sport and to date recognizes 208 national associations. FIFA even has its own anthem composed by German composer Franz Lambert in 1994. Adding to the global market is the sponsorship by such international giants such as Adidas, Coca-Cola, Emirates, Hyundai-Kia Motors, Sony, and VISA.

http://www.fifa.com/

Global Brands

As the Internet continues to spread and provide access to information and ideas from around the world, we need a way to search through that information. Google has emerged as a global company by providing the ability to translate results into more than 125 different languages and provides a portal to the Internet in 183 countries. http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en This has made the internet available to developing nations and helped to break through the language barrier creating a global village. Google is also markets many products under one company name on a global scale, referred to as Google Apps. These Apps include Google Maps, Gmail, Blogger, and hundreds more and they help us to use information from and contribute information to the Internet.

Google has also worked for global free expression, and includes many posts on their official blog concerning free expression. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/search/label/free%20expression They recently participated in the Internet at Liberty 2010 conference discussing freedom of expression on a global scale including representatives from countries where free expression is often frowned upon and regulated by governments like the Middle East and Africa.

Some nations have attempted to limit their nations access to the Internet and the ideas it contains. Google has also introduced a new tool in the fight against censorship by developing a new tool that shows the requests that they have received from world governments to provide user data or to remove information from search results. http://www.google.com/transparencyreport/ They have also worked with some repressive governments, including China, to provide Internet search capabilities to their citizens.

Scientific Looking in Cultural Contexts

Topic 1: The Digital Body

Elaine and Danielle

http://www.eblog.com.ar/3827/obalary/

In this picture, it takes features from Hillary Clinton and President Obama and combines them to make the new look. It shows how digital systems can take the human body and change it to represent a concept. The caption on the front of the magazine where this picture was displayed states, “We have to choose one.” So it is used as a political statement. I think the concept might be that if you could take both of their good ideas and mix them it would be better, but you can only choose one or the other. It reminds me of trying to find the “perfect man”; it might take a blending of sorts!!!

http://www.mocp.org/collections/permanent/burson_nancy.php

This is a picture trying to depict evolution. The picture shows what a human might look like in the in-between stage. The picture is used to attempt to validate a “scientific” point as though the human body is capable of whatever technology is capable or reproducing. It is promoting the concept of evolution.

http://www.arken.dk/content/us/arkens_collection/photography_and_graphics/nancy_burson

Warhead, 1982 is a picture of several peoples features morphed together by Nancy Burson

This is a picture that just shows technology can produce a believable image of a human that is not a real depiction of anyone. The body parts are assembled together but come from many people. I don’t think there was an agenda. It is just an example of what can be done. 

http://graphic-pirate.blogspot.com/2009/10/morphing-plug-in-for-after-effects-cs2.html

This series of images is morphing a human to a cat. The middle image is similar to the one above demonstrating the concept of evolution except there is really not an agenda. No one thinks we came from cats. 

http://alisonvuocolo.wordpress.com/

This is an example of cyborg - part technology and part organism.

The human genetic body can be contrasted to these digital images because they are representative of the convergence of technology and photographic imagery and convey the idea of an emerging, more perfect figure. For example, the first photo is a combination of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during the ’08 campaign and suggests that combining the two would represent the perfect presidential candidate that is neither male or female but an ideal democratic representation for the country—the proposed best of two worlds. This blending of difference crosses the cultural border and is meant to appeal to a much wider audience although it is fictional at best. The cultural expectation of this image suggests that among popular and controversial candidates, there is no “perfect” choice. In contrast, the last image of Obama represented in a cyborg sense conveys the editorial idea that human beings in power are nothing more than contrived robots lacking human compassion and emotion (one interpretation). This idea, however, could not have been suggested visually without the convenience of technology. This image clearly is subjective as it utilizes the science of technology to advance a hardened and negative political initiative. 

Topic 2: Visualizing Pharmaceuticals
Danialle and Gina

Although some good can come of making the public aware of their medical options, by bypassing medical personnel and speaking directly to consumers, you remove an important buffer. Medical personnel will look at the sum of symptoms and ailments and prescribe a medication that best fits all of the ailments, whereas a consumer is likely to believe that they may require many more medications that may not provide any benefit at all. This also can lead to an increase in hypochondria and self-diagnosis because consumers may experience a few of the generic symptoms listed and may begin to believe that they have a deadly illness. The inverse can also be true, where someone may not currently exhibit one of the listed symptoms and feel that they do not need to see their doctor.

When pharmaceutical companies make abstract promises, it means that it falls on the medical professional to tell a consumer that the medication advertised will not work for their indications. This makes the doctor the bad guy and causes distrust to form in a relationship where trust is needed.

Promoting pharmaceuticals outside of a medical context is ethical, however it makes a physician’s job more difficult. By encouraging a patient to ask their doctor, you increase the strain on the healthcare industry At the same time patients are made aware of important medical issues they may never have talked to their doctor about because of a lack of education or embarrassment.

Gardasil

Image Source: http://admonkey.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/ad_198.jpg

The Gardasil ad shown creates a sense of fear in young girls that if they don’t get this vaccine today, they will get cervical cancer in the future. This type of fear pressure makes it seem like it is worth it to risk the side effects, both known and unknown, in order to escape a future with cervical cancer. This ad also makes it seem like this vaccine will guarantee a future full of happiness and possibilities, since she will do everything she can to help her dreams come true.

The small print in the ad reminds potential users that this vaccine does not guarantee against cervical cancer doesn’t work at all for some variants of the virus, so routine screenings are still required. It also includes a long list of side effects and a phone number and website to report any additional side effects experienced, since this vaccine is quite new on the market.

Abilify

Image source: http://infowarrior.infowars.com/?p=198

Abilify is an antidepressant. However, it is a special kind of antidepressant, one that you can only take with other antidepressants. That’s right. Is your current antidepressant not quite doing to trick? Not to worry! The solution to your problem with drugs is more drugs!

This advertisement is meant to speak to people who are suffering from depression and anxiety. It says, your current antidepressant is supposed to do everything to make you feel better. If it’s not, then you need our drug. Add it on to yours and it will make everything better.

The claims this drug makes effects the people they’re advertising to by telling them that their depression should be cured entirely by the medication when that’s not true at all. I speak from experience when I say that the drugs are about half of the process of overcoming depression and anxiety. This ad says that drugs are the cure, and that is simply not true. This affects the medical personnel in that they lose the position of having the best advice. The patient may see the ad, and wonder why the doctor did not prescribe this drug—he/she so clearly has this ailment!—when there may in fact be other reasons for not prescribing it. Such as interference with other drugs the patient is on or an allergy or the fact that the doctor believes the drug will do more harm than good.

The advertisement of this drug outside of a medical context is a double-edged sword. It could actually help the patient. But then it could also do harm. Leaving the power of decision in the hands of the uneducated consumer rather than the educated doctor might lead to problems. But then it could also help if the doctor had not thought of prescribing such a drug. It could go either way.

Gina's Postmodern Movie Stuff

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

 Movie Trailer #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9nS9iDsaj8

Movie Trailer #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_RrNCqCIPE

Movie Trailer #3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoFqatfEFrw

graphic novel cover: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/08/13/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world/

Scott Pilgrim as postmodernist pastiche of video games

"Flattening of affect" of each of the characters as the sum of their quirks rather than deep personalities. Also, at one point, Scott's ex-girlfriend's (Envy is her name) new boyfriend, who is Ramona's ex-boyfriend, gets killed and turns into a pile of coins. Envy calmly says "You just punched my boyfriend so hard he disintegrated" or something like that. And Scott replies "Well you punched my heart so hard it disintegrated," and that's the end of the conversation. Oh, also, Ramona's other exes throughout and some other random dudes near the end are punched or hit so hard they disintegrate into a pile of coins, and no comment is made about whether they no longer exist, or whether they've been killed or what... There is a suspension of reality that comes from the video game culture in this.

http://dannybaram.blogspot.com/2010/08/scott-pilgrim-vs-world-is-full-of-epic.html

Also, at the end, Scott gets a second chance after the first Game Over (he dies and then goes back to the save point). Which brings up a whole other question: those other guys that got Game Over, are they just dead or do they get a second chance, too? If they did get a second chance the whole storyline would crumble. Only the main character gets the second chance. This is kind of the point where it really is definite that this movie is like a video game you're watching. You can't tell what's real and what isn't. What is part of the narrative and what is just a joke? Is it both? It doesn't help when almost every sound that is made is accented by comic book sound-effects, much like the original Batman TV show.

 http://www.mediadecay.com/2010/08/scott-pilgrim-vs-world-review/

Another part of postmodern film is "hyperreality/altered states." In Scott Pilgrim vs The World, at least in the beginning, there are these weird dream scenes that don't really make a whole lot of sense, and aren't mentioned for the rest of the film. And Ramona tells Scott that he has a kind of convenient hyperspace highway or something like that in his head that she likes to use. Also, I wonder if slow-motion be counted as hyperreality? Because there's lots of that going on in all of the fight scenes.

Another trait of postmodern film that is used in this movie is "More human than human"... no real explanation is given for how Scott suddenly knows martial arts or has these mystical powers... though this does lead back to the constant references and pastiche of video game culture and humor. A suspension of reality is required in order to follow the story at all.

The whole movie is also based on the premise that is essentially like a video game in nature. Scott sees something he wants, and goes on a quest to get it. There are levels, one for each Ex that he defeats, and when he does defeat them, he gets life points and coins, shown in symbols and video game noises. There's even one point which he uses the restroom and next to his head appears a "Pee Bar," which reduces as he pees. The font and the symbol are both pixelated like a vintage video game, as are most of the other symbols and fonts used throughout the movie. Oh, and also, Scott gets another chance at the end after the first Game Over. That only ever happens in video games.

Overall I guess you could say that the movie itself is not only an homage to video games, but a postmodern pastiche of them as well. This includes the graphic novel from which the movie is based. It's an homage to the graphic novel, which is an homage to other graphic novels, and anime, and manga, and vintage video games, and indie rock, and... the list goes on. Its narrative is informed by the postmodern and is an exemplary movie of the genre.

Po Mo in da Movies - Danialle Dube

Blazing Saddles

View Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4038721817/

Blazing Saddles is a postmodern movie in the sense that it is a remake of all western genre movies including the typical stereotypes of the time. A corrupt politician, Hedley Lamarr, is trying to make a town's land worthless so that he can buy it cheap in order to have the train pass. When the townsfolk demand a new sheriff from the Governor, Hedley gets him to send them the first black sheriff. Hedley hopes that the new sheriff will offend the townsfolk so much that they will leave on their own, abondoning the property. The new sheriff, Bart, befriends the town drunk, Jim aka the Waco Kid, and makes him his deputy. Together, work to save to town from Hedley and to gain acceptance from the townspeople.

When the gang hired to scare the town sends in their biggest bad guy, Mondo, Jim warns Bart that shooting him will only make him mad. This leads Bart to find an alternative way of besting him. Bart goes to the saloon dressed as a delivery man and gives Mondo a "candygram" and walks away with his fingers in his ears and the Looney Tunes melody playing. When Mondo opens the box, it explodes in his face. When Jim congratualtes Bart later, he says the hard part was inventing the candygram and that he probably would not get any credit for it.

Another example of postmodernism in Blazing Saddles is when Sheriff Bart askes the townfolk for 24 hours to come up with an idea to save their town. When they refuse, he says they would do it for Randolph Scott. At the mention of Scott's name, the people become overly reverant and agree to give Bart 24 hours. In Hollywood westerns, Randolph Scott was typecast as the heroic Sheriff in 60 films and always managed to save the town in the end.

Finally, in making fun of all the convoluted plans in typical westerns that are able to trick the bad guys, Sheriff Bart, the railroad workers and the townsfolk recreate a model of the town to trap to gang. We can easily see that this is a fake town, but the mauraders are taken in by it. The Waco Kid is then able to steady his hand to shoot the dynamite from a long distance and save the hero's plan at the last second.

PO MO in the Movies - Elaine Martin

The Island - an example of Post Modernism in film

This movie is a similar take on a show from the 1970's called Logan's Run.   

T

The two main characters find out they are clones after their daring escape from a pretend world.

The Island is a show about people held in an underground society. The modern take on a futuristic idea instead uses clones as the inhabitants of this hidden place. They are also deceived in this movie but in a different way. Their entire memory is programmed into them through extensive brainwashing. There are only a few basic pasts that they all have lived filled with good memories. The clones are also told they are being kept in this place due to the contamination on the outside. However, in this movie no war has taken place. The reason they are there in the first place is because they are clones, paid for and made by their wealthy owners. If their human owner happens to become ill and need replacement parts, they are killed and their body parts salvaged. The method they fool the clones is by telling them they have won the lottery and get to go to the Island. They think they are lucky and finally get to go to a place like paradise. The male character called Lincoln starts to figure out the truth, he takes the girl he likes and they escape. Once he puts the entire process together in his mind, he returns to help the other escape. 

Trailer to The Island - This is the IMDb trailer.

Clones escape - This is from YouTube and shows the ending of the movie as the clones escape to find they really won't be contaminated and the two main characters kiss. Then, it ends with them sailing into the future in the boat that was owned by the clones human counterpart who died during the film.

Postmodernism: The concept is copied from a futuristic movie from 1976, but in this postmodern take it uses clones as the characters. In 1996, Dolly the sheep was cloned making her the first living thing to be cloned. The movie was probably inspired by the concept of potentially cloning humans.

Pictures from The Island

The cloning machines shown.

Main characters hiding during action scene near equipment that brainwashes the clones to believe that they are who they are told they are. 

In this scene the clones are waiting to find out if they were drawn in the lottery to go to the "island".  The  island is the paradise where the chosen get to go out in live in the outside world, they think. In reality, when they are chosen it is because their matching human needs their body parts in order to live longer.

When the owners/managers of the cloning operation suspected that one of the groups of clones had more human like traits of reasoning than the others, they put these bugs in his eyes to read him.

These are a couple of the action scenes from the movie when the clones had escaped and were being hunted down to be killed so that no one in the real world would find out that clones had feelings and were human-like.

Logan's Run was a weekly show about the few people who had survived the nuclear war and are being held in a society underground. The following is a summary:

"It's 2274 and on the surface, it all seems to be an idyllic society. Living in a city within an enclosed dome, there is little or no work for humans to perform and inhabitants are free to pursue all of the pleasures of life. There is one catch however: your life is limited and when you reach 30, it is terminated in a quasi-religious ceremony known as Carousel. Some, known as runners, do try to escape their fate when the time comes and it's the job of a Sandman to track them down and kill them. Logan is such a man and with several years before his own termination date, thinks nothing of the job he does. Soon after meeting a young woman, Jessica-6, he is ordered to become a runner himself and infiltrate a community outside the dome known as Sanctuary and to destroy it. Pursued by his friend Francis, also a Sandman, Logan and Jessica find their way to the outside. There they discover a beautiful world." Written by garykmcd  from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074812/

Logan's Run Trailer

Never Let Me Go is a new movie coming out that is also about clones. This one is set at a boarding school in Europe. The children are given everything but time. They know their purpose as far as I could tell from the trailer. It seems to have a more real element than the other two. 

Trailer to Never Let Me Go - This trailer is from IMDb.

Po Mo in the Movies -- Danielle Wright

"Spaceballs"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094012/

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.arxvaldex.com/shop/images/spaceballs.jpg

A fan's best clips of "Spaceballs" Pts. 1 & 2 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcY090XV284

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEZxgEgG5Cg

"Combing the desert."

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://jordanhoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/spaceballs_large_12.jpg&imgrefurl=

"Lost in the desert with Princess Vespa, Dot Matrix, Lone Star and Barf."

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Spaceballs

Mel Brooks' comedy "Spaceballs" is a classic example of a postmodern film style in that it, as the book says, "gives way to relentless quoting and remakes" (pg. 321). The film is a satirical and hilarious spoof on the modern classic "Star Wars" saga and countless other classic moderns including the popular 60s television show "Star Trek"; the popular horror film, "Aliens"; and other popular sci-fi movies. The comedy also foregoes the rules of typical filmmaking by constantly "breaking the fourth wall" (communicating directly with the camera and the audience) and "leaning on the fourth wall" (making references to editing techniques). The film also has a fairy tale satirical twist by incorporating the less than charming character Prince Valium (yawn) who is slated to marry the beautiful but spoiled, Princess Vespa. The bratty princess flees her wedding because she loathes the thought of marrying such a boring prince simply because he is the last available prince of royal blood. In her flight, however, she is captured by the evil Spaceballs who holds her ransom for the combination to Planet Druidia's air shield, the Princess' home planet, and has to be rescued by the brave and handsome Prince Charming (though he does not know it), Lone Star. In this adventure/comedy, love eventually conquers all and, as in all fairy tales, has the classic happy ending. 

"Spaceballs" also capitalizes on technology and marketing/merchandising opportunities by introducing several popula products in junctures throughout the movie including Mr. Coffee, Mr. Rental (VHS), Mercedes (the Princess' car/ship), and Brooks' take on the Millennium Falcon, Lone Star's Winnebago, to name only a few. The film also touches on the trend of cosmetic surgery, the effects of pollution, and the prejudice against ethnicities (in this case the play on the "Druish" [Jewish]).

PostModernism & Social Narratives

Body Modification

http://www.chooseyourbeliefs.com/2008/09/christian-body-modification.html

Image source: http://media.photobucket.com/image/kat+von+d/Fav54ver/FP9475Kat-Von-D-Posters.jpg

Gina's Comments: In what is considered to be beautiful, the ideas are changing more and more everyday. Specifically, tattoos and piercings, or body modifications, are becoming more acceptable forms of creating personal beauty. One person that you can look at to prove this is Kat Von D, the star of the reality TV show LA Ink. She’s considered to be a paragon of counter-cultural beauty.

Danialle:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20016730-10391704.html

In September 2010 a teen was expelled from high school for having her nose pierced, which is against school policy. She is fighting the expulsion on the basis of belonging to the Church of Body Modification. Now there is a nationwide discussion as to whether the Church of Body Modification is a “real” church and thus provides her with a religious exception to the rule. Members of the Church believe that modification is an ancient art that strengthens the bond between mind, body, and soul. Detractors say that the Church of Body Modification is an organization, not a Church since there is no deity or higher power.

Danielle: Although tattooing has been around for thousands of years and is an accepted practice in several cultures around the world, tattooing in the United States was considered a deviant practice or taboo until the mid-1990s. Now that this laden art has made its way into the mainstream, tattooing has become socially acceptable and not simply an exercise in rebellion. In fact, getting a tattoo can be a deeply sacred experience for many individuals as they relate getting the body art to a personal trial or tribulation that they have overcome, or in remembrance of a loved one. Individuals getting tattoos are simply not just rock stars or celebrities, but they come from all walks of life, professions, and levels of education including doctors, nurses, lawyers, and suburban homemakers. The stereotypical “wild child” persona simply does not apply to this now socially acceptable practice of body modification and we see it every day in advertisements, television, and movies.


Elaine: There has been a stigma in the religious world that has seen tattoos as a taboo in Christianity. In modern times, the taboo is fading as tattoos are becoming expressions of faith. In the example in the first picture, the artist who owns The Needle for the Nail believes, “…the tattoos on his body are signs of an alternative Christian movement, especially among youth, embracing ink and reanalyzing their faith. Many younger Christians, whose attendance at traditional churches is waning, are now turning inward and toward churches willing to stray from old-fashioned creeds and inch more towards a contemporary interpretation of the Bible.” In other realms of thinking, tattoos are also used to express believes, art, remembrance of others, and much more. Quote taken from: 
             http://newsinitiative.org/story/2007/08/16/christian_tattoo_the_needle_for

Religious Fish

http://www.ancient-symbols.com/images/symbols-influence-history/original/christian-fish.jpg

http://weblogsky.com/2009/02/16/darwin-and-buddhism/

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAi8dc5C-S8/THxiDe46sxI/AAAAAAAAFh4/lk8sGJhDOjk/s1600/piratefish_hiqual.jpg

Gina's Comments: These three images show different re-imaginings of symbols of meaning. The first is the re-imagining of a Christian symbol, from the typical cross to that of a fish. This fish is called the Jesus fish. The second is the re-imagining of that new Christian symbol of the fish with legs, showing the progression of evolution—this is called the Darwin or Ichthus Fish. It is in contrast to the Jesus fish because usually those with Jesus fish on their cars do not believe in evolution, and the beliefs of Christianity are sometimes in direct opposition to those of evolution. The third image is one from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which is in opposition to both Christian and Darwinist attitudes with the Pirate Fish, which is a symbol of (relative) atheism and also tongue-in-cheek humor.

Danialle:

The three fish images denote three different religious views, Christian, Evolutionists, and Pastafarians. The original image was developed to provide security to persecuted Christians in ancient times. By drawing half the fish in the sand, they could inquire if the person they had met was also a Christian. If so, they could finish the image. The Evolutionists modified the image, adding feet to the fish, to incorporate the idea of fish evolving and crawling out onto dry land. The Pastafarians continued to modify the religious fish icon to incorporate their beliefs concerning pirates and global warming while continuing to parody the conflict between the Christian Creationists and Evolutionists.

Danielle: In the grand theme of master narratives, different religions have always had their spin on life and how (and why) we are here, and who is controlling or has created the universe. Unfortunately everyone seems to have a different take on whom or what this higher power is and whether or not this belief is simply a fairy tale. This question has sparked deep emotional debates that have crossed into our daily lives, our work, and our schools. The example of the three fishes shows how these varying religions are taking pot shots at one another, especially the pirate fish representing The Flying Spaghetti Monster religion, and the Evolutionist fish that slams the Christianity ideal of creationism. Instead of having tolerance for varying points of view, some religious groups, who deeply believe in their message, are lashing out in what can only be deemed as hypocritical acts. Our society is constantly being exposed to stories about religious opposition on the news and on the internet as well as in other forms of media (such as television programs and advertisements) and how it affects the global stage in the form of wars, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks.


Elaine: The fish was first used as a symbol for Christianity dating back to the first century. In modern times, the fish is an iconic symbol for Christianity today as it has been marketed on clothing, bumper stickers, bookmarks, used in sitcoms, and across the technological realms. As debates began about evolution the symbol also began to evolve. It grew legs and represented the concept of evolution (humans evolving from a lesser life form) rather than a sign Jesus used to demonstrate we are to be fishers of men. The war of the symbols began and competitions were started by variations of the fish eating each other. Recently, a new symbol has joined the war. This is a fish made of bones representing pirates. The movement that designed the latest symbol was in rebellion to Christianity winning the right to have intelligent design taught along the side of evolution in the public schools in Kansas. This movement is meant to be satirical view on Creationism and has gained a lot of popularity. There is much controversy about how these symbols take on meaning based on core belief systems of the individuals involved. Some see them as humorous, others see them as heresy. Information taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parodies_of_the_ichthys_symbol