DAI 227 Week 4 Questions

DAI 227 Week 4 Questions

1. According to the text "Remediation" the author uses the phrase (in relation to Hollywood's use of computer graphics)
"remediation operates in both directions" - what is meant by this?

What the author of “Remediation” means by saying “remediation operates in both directions” is that film and television can seek to appropriate and refashion digital graphics and vice versa. In more detail, films use digital compositing often, especially in action-adventure films. The goal is to make stunts and special effects appear as natural as possible. Also, computer graphics can replace real life for cartoons such as Up or Toy Story. Overall, it is either reality or digital graphics that tries to refashion the other.

2. What does Michael Benedikt, author of "Cyberspace the First Steps" introduction argue had happened to modern city by the late 60s, having become more than 'a collection of buildings and streets'?

In addition to becoming a collection of buildings and streets, the city also became a mess of massive communication, transportation, storage, and education. No matter how neatly structured or green the grass, the complexity of the working system is a huge cluster of busy work. The city by the late 60s was building itself unpredictably and buildings played with all the technological toys and tools that were given to them.

3. In his short story "Skinner's Room" William Gibson describes how Skinner watches a tiny portable 'pop-up' TV set. What can skinner no longer remember? (remediation in relation to television as an idea is neatly summed up in this sentance!)

In the short story, Skinner can no longer remember when he was able to distinguish commercials from programming. He does not turn the sound on because the images displayed are comforting. The television makes it seem like life is there. Digital media, in this case television, is refashioning real life for Skinner.

4. Author of the famous pamphlet "Culture Jamming" Mark Dery paraphrases Umberto Eco and his phrase "semiological guerrilla warfare". What does this mean?

According to Umberto Eco, the people have a residual freedom to read and interpret a message in a different way. By allowing and encouraging the people to control a message and produce multiple interpretations, one medium can be employed to communicate a series of opinions on another medium. The result would be the universe of Technological Communication being patrolled by groups of communications guerrillas “who would restore a critical dimension to passive reception.”

5. From Mark Dery's pamphlet, briefly describe "Subvertizing"

“Subvertising” is the production and dissemination of anti-ads that deflect madison Avenue’s attempts to turn the consumer’s attention in a given direction and is a ubiquitous form of jamming.