http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6hNj1uOkY
Over the course we learned about simulacra, an image based on nothing that is treated as reality, is very present in our culture. There are idols on TV who are not themselves but personas that really only exist as images. To meet the person in real life would not be the same as meeting the persona because they are not a pure image anymore. But so long as they remain as images they are more believable.
Often people will emulate the images they see in media, especially on TV. The video, Doll Face, comments on this imitation and with an unpleasant result. As one attempts to meet the image a person can lose sense of the differences between the image and limitations of reality. Although the video suggests attempting to push the limits of reality can be dangerous, is it?
What other messages could this video be trying to get across?
I got the impression that in addition to trying to mold oneself to an "image, or "alternative-self," this video also sheds light on the basic premise and function of addiction, and how the media is supplementing the public with unreachable expectations that you should look a certain way, behave a certain way, and eventually, your life will become what you want. People are too willing to give up what they have, as a person, for a chance to achieve the satisfaction, the sensation of fitting into a society that dictates life beyond its means
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above. We are constantly shown signifiers of what is the ideal way to look, yet there is no real substance behind it -- the signifiers have been warped beyond recognition into an impossible goal to meet, yet people will still try. Despite Photoshop being so well known, some are still willing to believe that images heavily altered in such programs are true and attainable and will go to great lengths (anorexia, bulimia, plastic surgery, ect) to achieve the perceived ideal.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to comment on this because it has to do with media and television yet about a different topic. I recently was reminded again of the "Death of the Author" scenario. I read a story called "Gulliver's Travels" in a british literature class that I took at Plymouth State. This story was brilliant. I've always considered it one of the most interesting things that I've read. It is a paraody on typical "travel like" humor and is full of intelligent comedy and great creative happenings. Just today on television I saw a preview for a movie starring Jack Black called "GULLIVERS TRAVELS"...I thought that it must be somd kind of mistake. But by watching the preview I saw some of the similar scenarios being played out and was extremely disappointed. Just by the preview I could tell that it is doing no justice to the original master piece. This goes along with mainstream media taking something and erasing what it was originally supposed to stand for. I hope the actual movie isn't as bad as the preview looked..sigh.
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