Metarealism
Manovich makes the distinction between old realism and new realism by relating it to cultural eras. First, old realism was framed by the way modern society viewed the world, which rejected the goal of illusionism and drew distinct lines between moral and ethical choices. However, postmodern society informs how new media functions—whereas Modernism may have frowned upon “false consciousness”, or illusion—Manovich posits that postmodernism “continuously and skillfully deconstructs itself, presenting the subject with countless “scandals” and “investigations”…we expect to hear about scandals involving our leaders, yet these scandals do not diminish their credibility” (208-209).
Therefore, although we may understand that we are being tricked by an advertisement, we are still perfectly willing to purchase that product. So, we accept the illusion, knowing that it is not real, but we go along with it just because we can. I thought this was a unique way of looking at modern and postmodern ideology. The fact that we buy simulated computer games or products that present a false reality does not seem to be the concern. What is the concern is that it presents us with something that we would like to participate in and we choose it knowing it is not real. However, the fact that it is false is not linked to ethics, but to preference. Moreover, we know that putting on makeup is not going to change who we are, it is just making us look different—we can take it off whenever we want and it is still us underneath and as the user we “invest in the illusion precisely because she is given control over it” (209). But, what Manovich concludes is all of this informs how media functions for us.
Manovich then suggests that the best representation of interactivity and illusion is a military simulator. By blending “perception and action, cinematic realism and computer menus” (210) the user is able to use the experience to prepare for a future reality. Therefore, the mental picture of the terrain and the interaction with enemies allows for the viewer to react in a way that he might on the battlefield. Therefore there are several benefits related to this interaction that, when successful, we receive. Manovich believes the main feature is in the “cognitive multitasking” of the user that allows for “rapidly alternating between different kinds of attention, problem solving, and other cognitive skills” (210). The soldier must make a series of decisions during the simulation that, if in a real life setting could save his life. For him, the skill of multitasking has great importance.
Today simply surfing the web can do this—we can open several windows at one time, chat with someone online, and listen to lastfm as we work on a research project. This illustrates how we—on a daily basis for many—multitask in order to partake in the media surrounding us. But, if a military simulator is the best representation of illusion and interactivity in 2000, what is it now? Have we become better at multitasking? What other skills are we developing as new media participants? How is our culture informing the way we work with and understand new media today in 2010? What might Manovich have to say about the ITouch, Ipad, and Iphone? How are we using our own cultural lens to understand our interaction with each new gadget? Perhaps we will have to wait and see.
You got me thinking: does it mean that we're less gullible if we recognize the deceptions, even if we give in to them anyway? Mmm...I'd like to think so, but I'm not so sure. We are no longer Zeuxis' birds that mistake painted grapes for real ones, but have we become birds that know better but simply like to taste the new, flavored paint that today's artists use?
ReplyDeleteI like reading your posts before I do the reading because it helps me understand Manovich better, so thanks. I wonder if there have been studies done about whether lives have been saved and soldiers are better prepared due to the availability of interactive simulated games.
ReplyDeleteAbout the multi tasking, I think it is a talent and a good skill but I also feel that people are becoming more distracted, more stressed with all that is simultaneously available.
Richard, I think it is like one of the reading I did with my students recently on obesity. The author talked about postmodernism and how we know the adverse effects of things, and we can name them and be aware of them, but it does not mean we will not eat them anyway. There seems to be something missing...The painted grapes might just be something we are missing out on-- ? :)
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