Introduction to the Nacirema

Introduction to the Nacirema Major rituals known as “strecnoc” Often involve drug-induced ecstatic experiences (from “anaujiram” and other mind-altering substances)‏ Ritual platforms called “egats”

Major rituals known as “strecnoc”

Often involve drug-induced ecstatic experiences (from “anaujiram” and other mind-altering substances)‏

Ritual platforms called “egats”

1984 A.D.

Media Ecology

Media are not just tools.

Media are not just means of communication.

Media mediate our conversations

Media change

Media our conversations change change

“ We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.” - Marshall McLuhan

the conversations of our culture happen here

the conversations are controlled by few

the conversations are controlled by few and designed for the masses

the conversations are always entertaining

the conversations are always entertaining (even the serious ones)‏

the conversations are punctuated by 30 second commercials

the conversations create our culture

the conversations create our culture of irrelevance incoherence and impotence

“ What steps do you plan to take to reduce the conflict in the Middle East?”

“ Or the rates of inflation, crime, or unemployment?”

“ What do you plan to do about NATO, OPEC, the CIA, etc.?”

“ I shall take the liberty of answering for you: ...

“ You plan to do nothing.”

“ You plan to do nothing.” - Neil Postman 1984

“ The public has adjusted to incoherence and been amused into indifference.” - Neil Postman 1984

25 years later ...

“ What we are encountering is a panicky, an almost hysterical, attempt to escape from the deadly anonymity of modern life ... and the prime cause is not vanity ... but the craving of people who feel their personality sinking lower and lower into the whirl of indistinguishable atoms to be lost in a mass civilization."

“ What we are encountering is a panicky, an almost hysterical, attempt to escape from the deadly anonymity of modern life ... and the prime cause is not vanity ... but the craving of people who feel their personality sinking lower and lower into the whirl of indistinguishable atoms to be lost in a mass civilization." - Henry Seidel Canby 1926

Assembly line

It's a one-way conversation

You have to be on TV to have a voice

You have to be on TV to be significant

The MTV Generation Short attention spans Materialistic Narcissistic Not easily impressed

Short attention spans

Materialistic

Narcissistic

Not easily impressed

“ in the midst of a fabulous array of historically unprecedented and utterly mind-boggling stimuli ...

“ in the midst of a fabulous array of historically unprecedented and utterly mind-boggling stimuli ... whatever.”

“ in the midst of a fabulous array of historically unprecedented and utterly mind-boggling stimuli ... whatever.” - Thomas de Zengotita

A brief history of “Whatever” pre-1960s: "Whatever. That's what I meant." Late 60s: "I don't care. Whatever." 1990s: MTV Generation – the indifferent "Meh."

pre-1960s: "Whatever. That's what I meant."

Late 60s: "I don't care. Whatever."

1990s: MTV Generation – the indifferent "Meh."

“ I find it hard. It's hard to find, oh well, whatever, nevermind.”

“ I feel stupid, and contagious. Here we are now. Entertain us.”

flattering

A brief history of “Whatever” pre-1960s: "Whatever. That's what I meant." Late 60s: "I don't care. Whatever." 1990s: MTV Generation – the indifferent "Meh."

pre-1960s: "Whatever. That's what I meant."

Late 60s: "I don't care. Whatever."

1990s: MTV Generation – the indifferent "Meh."

A brief history of “Whatever” pre-1960s: "Whatever. That's what I meant." Late 60s: "I don't care. Whatever." 1990s: MTV Generation – the indifferent "Meh." Late 90s - present: "Whatever. I'll do what I want."

pre-1960s: "Whatever. That's what I meant."

Late 60s: "I don't care. Whatever."

1990s: MTV Generation – the indifferent "Meh."

Late 90s - present: "Whatever. I'll do what I want."

the search for identity and recognition

the search for the authentic self

the search for the authentic self Charles Taylor's “Ethics of Authenticity” (1991)‏

Two Slides: Charles Taylor's “Ethics of Authenticity” (1991)‏

Two Slides: towards ... Charles Taylor's “Ethics of Authenticity” (1991)‏

Two Slides: towards ... 1. “self-centered modes of self-fulfilment” Charles Taylor's “Ethics of Authenticity” (1991)‏

Two Slides: towards ... 1. “self-centered modes of self-fulfilment” 2. “negation of all horizons of significance” Charles Taylor's “Ethics of Authenticity” (1991)‏

Two Slides: towards ... 1. “self-centered modes of self-fulfilment” disengagement 2. “negation of all horizons of significance” Charles Taylor's “Ethics of Authenticity” (1991)‏

Two Slides: towards ... 1. “self-centered modes of self-fulfilment” disengagement 2. “negation of all horizons of significance” fragmentation Charles Taylor's “Ethics of Authenticity” (1991)‏

If the conversations of our culture now happen here ...

Why this matters ... not controlled by the few not one-way created by, for, and around networks, not masses transform individual pursuits into collective action makes “group” formation “ridiculously easy” (Paquet/Shirky)‏

not controlled by the few

not one-way

created by, for, and around networks, not masses

transform individual pursuits into collective action

makes “group” formation “ridiculously easy” (Paquet/Shirky)‏

Why this might deeply matter ... We know ourselves through our relations with others. New media create new ways of relating to others. New media create new ways of knowing ourselves.

We know ourselves through our relations with others.

New media create new ways of relating to others.

New media create new ways of knowing ourselves.

Research Ethics

Risks to our Research Subjects Video recording illegal activities Video recording statements or activities that may damage their reputation or status

Video recording illegal activities

Video recording statements or activities that may damage their reputation or status

Mitigating the risks We become our own “key informants” Immediately destroy or adequately alter any video that is incriminating or risky to research subject Examine video for risks and communicate risks to research subjects No video should be published before being checked by Professor Wesch Ongoing Process of Informed Consent

We become our own “key informants”

Immediately destroy or adequately alter any video that is incriminating or risky to research subject

Examine video for risks and communicate risks to research subjects

No video should be published before being checked by Professor Wesch

Ongoing Process of Informed Consent

“ If you wish to remain anonymous or speak off the record at any time, inform the researcher on site and they will honor your request. Feel free to work with the researcher to present or hide your identity as you wish. In the final production of the documentary you can have your face blurred or anonymity otherwise protected in any way you choose.”

Informed Consent requires:

What are some key cultural trends that you think our documentary should cover?