Comments for On Web Culture

Comment on The Magician by Pete

Pete — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:32:20 +0000

“improve the way we are or provide synthetic anaesthesia?”

I guess I’m ok with either. If you look at other media there is a mix of “popular” and other genres. I don’t feel guilty about liking “popular” music, movies and also video games. Take movies. The sort of films being shown at the film festival will often “improve the way you are” but I just don’t enjoy them (which is why I watch films) so I choose not to partake (generally).

I also find myself getting a lot less judgemental as I get older. I used to hold a similar position (…provide synthetic anaesthesia) towards people who drank to forget their problems. However on the Friday night I thought my job was being moved to Manukau, I had a glass of wine and it made me feel a lot better.

Does that answer the question? Probably not.

Comment on The Magician by Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson

Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:40:09 +0000

The problem with computer games is that they are fundamentally dumb, because they use as a reference of quality other video games, rather than the entirety of artistic expression, which is awfully problematic for a medium as terribly concerned about being taken as an art form as a fourteen year old who assures us he’s a man.

Comment on The Magician by Dave

Dave — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:32:11 +0000

Hey Pete,

Reading your comment I worried my post maybe wasn’t clear enough. Having re-read it, one thing I would seek to improve/include is a better definition of why “treadmill” massive multiplayer online games stand above other computer games as a concern to me.

But the rest of it I feel is pretty clear. What about the conclusion I make: “We need to encourage the makers of computer game entertainment to ask the question of what their products should ultimately do: improve the way we are or provide synthetic anaesthesia” – your thoughts?

Dave.

Comment on The Magician by Pete

Pete — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:37:00 +0000

I was going to comment along a certain line, but then I read my comment on DB’s blog and realised that nothing has changed and I remain very one dimensional (maybe I should blame the games).

The only difference is that now I’ve moved on to the PS3, console gaming these days is a ‘little’ more acceptable.

Ultimately the reason I MAKE TIME for games is that they still give me a buzz I don’t get from anything else. I’m sure there are many points which can be made about me getting this buzz ‘virtually’ rather than in the real world, but given where I am in life, I’m fine with that.

Comment on The Magician by Dave Broome

Dave Broome — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 03:09:45 +0000

“Games were also a way to shut out the world & control it on my terms.” Bingo. Gorgeous encapsulation, that is.

Anyway enough of that, let’s talk about me. This triggered a “Do I have a post about this?” bell. Blog search tada:

Goodbye

There’s gold in them comments.

Comment on Wave of Mutilation by Dave Broome

Dave Broome — Fri, 28 May 2010 04:34:33 +0000

“Terry! Have you been messin’ with the car again?”

Comment on 2007 New Zealand International Film Festival by On Web Culture - Thoughts and news on emerging web culture » Blog Archive » Wave of Mutilation

Thu, 27 May 2010 08:33:11 +0000

[...] 2007 New Zealand International Film Festival: [...]

Comment on The Mutton Birds – A Thing Well Made by Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson

Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:09:27 +0000

Very cool man. That 3:49 face is gold, as in McGlashan’s hair. More good NZ plz?

Comment on David Foster Wallace – Commencement Speech at Kenyon University, May 21, 2005 by On Web Culture - Thoughts and news on emerging web culture » Blog Archive » David Foster Wallace – Commencement Speech at Kenyon University, May 21, 2005

Sun, 16 May 2010 06:36:11 +0000

[...] (read the full speech) [...]

Comment on The Man in the Arena: Citizenship in a Republic by Dave

Dave — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:16:57 +0000

Glad you like the quote man :-)

If you like that sort of thing, you may also enjoy:
http://webculture.co.nz/2006/12/17/two-roads-diverged/