Would YOU Hit the reset button?
Monday, October 12, 2009 by Bwads
Today I watched a film for another FTVMS course that had overiding themes that couldn't possibly be overlooked in regards to technoculture and new media. The film in question was 'Run Lola Run', a german made action/thriller with a twist. The title character is in a race against the clock to save her boyfriend from a rather unpleasant fate at the hands of a group of mobsters. The film showcases the events three times, each with slightly different actions leading to hugely different outcomes. Some may know of this as 'the butterfly effect', which is a suprisignly detailed mathematical equation outlining how small variations of the initial status of something may produce large variations in the long term. A popular topic in science fiction novels and films, the idea also has some implications for the development of technology in modern society.
I especially noted this in regards to new technological breakthroughs that have achieved mass cultural and societal significance despite their intial intention not being necesarily thus. The prime example here is of course - texting. Had texting never become a mass phenomenon for the general public it is undeniable that the very way in which we live would be completely altered. My flatmate wouldnt have been able to ask me to bring his assignment into uni so he could hand it in on time. I would never have known that my usual monday afternoon lunch buddy was sick and not at uni today. I wouldn't get distracted in class by the undeinable urge to beat my high score in 'snake'. Without texting the world would be a totally different place and the same can be said of many more modern technologies.
While in the film Lola has more than once chance to get her task done right, we do not. What is done is done, what is created cannot be uncreated, and one can't help but wonder how different our lives would be without some of our most commonly used possessions. Two questions stand out above all else in my mind. given the opportunity would we want to change anything? Or would we leave everything as it is for fear of changing the world for the worse?
I especially noted this in regards to new technological breakthroughs that have achieved mass cultural and societal significance despite their intial intention not being necesarily thus. The prime example here is of course - texting. Had texting never become a mass phenomenon for the general public it is undeniable that the very way in which we live would be completely altered. My flatmate wouldnt have been able to ask me to bring his assignment into uni so he could hand it in on time. I would never have known that my usual monday afternoon lunch buddy was sick and not at uni today. I wouldn't get distracted in class by the undeinable urge to beat my high score in 'snake'. Without texting the world would be a totally different place and the same can be said of many more modern technologies.
While in the film Lola has more than once chance to get her task done right, we do not. What is done is done, what is created cannot be uncreated, and one can't help but wonder how different our lives would be without some of our most commonly used possessions. Two questions stand out above all else in my mind. given the opportunity would we want to change anything? Or would we leave everything as it is for fear of changing the world for the worse?