This chapter of -Chuck Tryon's "Pushing the (Red) Envelope" that treats about the mobility of the consumer, pay per view culture, and portable video, brings several issue. The major issue with these soon to be international platform like, Netflix or YouTube contribute to the Cultural imperialism of the United States. In deed a show watched in the United States can be seen almost simultaneously in Europe. These platform even as convenient as they seem, are also a huge elements of Mass Culture. This mass culture or also named Globalization is a controversial elements of our society. In a way been able to connect people through a film show, or some music by making a program available almost everywhere is a wonderful thing. People despite of their own tradition and culture can appreciate and communicate on a common ground. However the issue is that globalization as previously said is more about America taking over others nations culture and here is the issue. No matter how convenient these platform can be, they still shows mostly Americans show, or International show and film that are close enough to the American culture so that everyone can appreciate it. As Adorno and Frankfurt school used to say this “Mass culture” is a dangerous element to the numerous culture presents in this world. Of course Hulu, YouTube or Netflix are not the only one to blame but contribute significantly to it. And more than Mass culture, the issue is also about media controlled. What is seen and available on these platform are far from being a whole representation of what video, TV show and film can be. Even Tryon agree to the fact that the pretended individualization and customization of what we are watching is a fake statement. The politically correct is the number one rules on these platform. Nothing too extreme, nothing controversial. You can watch what you want but by example if you're a woman Netflix is probably going to suggest you more romantic comedy than action movies. Stereotype and human beliefs makes any media content sensible.
The second point I would like to evoke here is the platform and user mobility. The ritualization of TV watching as it is said in this chapter has radically changed, the relationship we have with the content. Can we talk about a less implicated relationship with what we're watching because of how we are watching it? Also the omnipresence of visual devices is changing little by little the way we interact with others, the way we spend our time, and more literally here, the way we consume entertainment. 80 years ago people in western countries were still working most days and had no notion of what vacation meant. But now with the development of entertainment our life is becoming rules by them. What show to watch, what music to listen, which viral video have I missed? The constant virtuality of our life makes me worried that our best relationship becomes with our computer instead of real human being.
But this constant entertainment makes me also worried that with time culture tends to become under-appreciated. Everyone now, is able to watch almost any kind of content they like whenever they want. Everyone can also become a new entertainer, creating music on his laptop and sharing it through the internet or shooting some DIY video on YouTube or creating a new web series. In one way this is a wonderful thing but in another one, these mainstreams platforms and entertainment are threatening real comedians and its industry. Also we can ask ourselves if over time and with the evolution of technology if live performances will be still important to people or will they disappear. Or maybe comedians will be still playing but instead of being watched by an audience in front of them, holographic person will appear in our conference room, living room, to make the spectacle comes true, wherever we are.
The major issue with these soon to be international platform like, Netflix or YouTube contribute to the Cultural imperialism of the United States. In deed a show watched in the United States can be seen almost simultaneously in Europe. These platform even as convenient as they seem, are also a huge elements of Mass Culture. This mass culture or also named Globalization is a controversial elements of our society.
In a way been able to connect people through a film show, or some music by making a program available almost everywhere is a wonderful thing. People despite of their own tradition and culture can appreciate and communicate on a common ground.
However the issue is that globalization as previously said is more about America taking over others nations culture and here is the issue. No matter how convenient these platform can be, they still shows mostly Americans show, or International show and film that are close enough to the American culture so that everyone can appreciate it. As Adorno and Frankfurt school used to say this “Mass culture” is a dangerous element to the numerous culture presents in this world.
Of course Hulu, YouTube or Netflix are not the only one to blame but contribute significantly to it.
And more than Mass culture, the issue is also about media controlled. What is seen and available on these platform are far from being a whole representation of what video, TV show and film can be.
Even Tryon agree to the fact that the pretended individualization and customization of what we are watching is a fake statement. The politically correct is the number one rules on these platform. Nothing too extreme, nothing controversial. You can watch what you want but by example if you're a woman Netflix is probably going to suggest you more romantic comedy than action movies. Stereotype and human beliefs makes any media content sensible.
The second point I would like to evoke here is the platform and user mobility. The ritualization of TV watching as it is said in this chapter has radically changed, the relationship we have with the content. Can we talk about a less implicated relationship with what we're watching because of how we are watching it?
Also the omnipresence of visual devices is changing little by little the way we interact with others, the way we spend our time, and more literally here, the way we consume entertainment.
80 years ago people in western countries were still working most days and had no notion of what vacation meant. But now with the development of entertainment our life is becoming rules by them. What show to watch, what music to listen, which viral video have I missed?
The constant virtuality of our life makes me worried that our best relationship becomes with our computer instead of real human being.
But this constant entertainment makes me also worried that with time culture tends to become under-appreciated. Everyone now, is able to watch almost any kind of content they like whenever they want. Everyone can also become a new entertainer, creating music on his laptop and sharing it through the internet or shooting some DIY video on YouTube or creating a new web series. In one way this is a wonderful thing but in another one, these mainstreams platforms and entertainment are threatening real comedians and its industry.
Also we can ask ourselves if over time and with the evolution of technology if live performances will be still important to people or will they disappear. Or maybe comedians will be still playing but instead of being watched by an audience in front of them, holographic person will appear in our conference room, living room, to make the spectacle comes true, wherever we are.
-- Ingrid