MADTv iRACK VIDEO

This video is a parody of a TV show where Steve Jobs ("The founder of Apple computers") is the special guest. This document deals with three notions out of the four we have to study.

First, we can relate this video to the notion entitled "Myths and Heroes". Indeed, when the presenter introduces "Mister Steve Jobs", the audience is getting crazy. Then Steve Jobs' double enter on the stage while flashing lights lighting up him on a mystical music. We have the feeling that we are facing God. He is like a heroe for the audience because he created incredible products.

But this video makes us also think of the notion "The Idea of Progress". Actually, this fake TV show refers to the Apple products, we can see the iPod, the iMac, the iBook, the iPhone, the iPicture frame, the iLamp, the iMicrowave and the iVacuum. Obviously this video aims to laugh at Apple Corporation and its wishes to release more and more products. Besides, these products are totally improbable so it adds a comic effect.

Moreover I think that there is a link between this document and the notion "Locations and Forms of Power" because Apple Company wants to be more and more powerful, that's why the Corporation never stops releasing new products. And the fact is always more and more people buy Apple products even if it's useless like the "Irack" in the video. Apple is getting richer thanks to people who waste their money buying new products.

I personnally think that each and everyone should wear iRan and run far away from Apple spreading.

WHEN TECHNOLOGY IS TOO MUCH OR... MISSING

 

WHEN TECHNOLOGY IS TOO MUCH

Description:

 This video is structured around two main narrative voices and a character illustrating what the voice-over says while a singer often merely (= simply) repeats what's just been said.

The setting is a christian home and church, so this particular context is particulary meaningful.

We can notice on various occasions that the main character is addicted to high-tech products, mostly smartphones.

He is shown as a family man unable to interact (= communicate) with his wife except through texting.

He is also shown as a church-goer incapable of attending worship without all his phones vibrating all the time, making him look like he's full of the holy spirit.

Finally, he is depicted as a computer geek/guru whose life has become extremely complicated instead of having been simplified.

Interpretation:

Basically, this video means that high technology has become a religion for many people, even christians who are not supposed to be materialistic.

Then, in a christian lifestyle, quite a few church-goers and believers tend to focus more on materialistic issues than on spiritual ones.

We can add that the technology reigns supreme for many people who venerate (= revere) is as a God enlightening his followers.

The question is : is this real progress for humankind?

 

WHEN TECHNOLOGY IS... MISSING

Description:

Two people are stuck on an escalator in a place that seems literally empty (= deserted).

The man looks upset (= annoyed). He might be an office worker walking to his job.

The woman claims that she's already late, so for her this is the last straw (that breaks the camel's back).

At one point, she's about to cry and asks (= begs) for a phone. She yells (= screams) for help.

In short, the two of them look helpless/ clueless/ powerless/ even hopeless.

Interpretation:

We can relate this situation to a fairly common one in real life : getting stuck in/on an elevator.

The difference is that in this situation, people have the right to feel panicky (= panic/ freak out) whereas on an escalator, there is no reason (whatsover at all) to panic (= be scared).

The video points out the increasing reliance (= dependance) of human beings on technology. If it goes missing, it is as if a crutch had been taken away, so these two people cannot even climb (= walk up) the escalator, which would be the normal thing to do. We could also think that technological progress makes humans lazy or at least less prone to (= inclined to) take initiatives/think by themselves.

"THE FANATIC GEEK" BY CHAPATTE

                                                                                       This cartoon is taken from International Herald Tribune

We don't know exactly when this cartoon was published but at first sight, it's obvious it was during the Festival de Cannes event. This document raises the controversial issue of illegal downloading.

What catches my eye first is the Festival de Cannes logo in the top left-hand corner but also the woman, dressed in a golden outfits, next to the actor or director... Actually the main character is signing an autograph to a fan. Behind them, in the background, we can make out a crowd of people and photographers shooting the stars on the red carpet.
This document is made up of a drawing and we can read what the "geek" teenager is saying to his idol.

In fact the cartoonist aims to criticize illegal downloading.
On the whole, I think that the cartoonist wants to denounce the increasing prices in the Cinema Industry but at the same time he blames the ones who pirate films because these are also reponsible for the increasing prices of DVDs.

In my opinion, I find this document well-designed and effective and I think it's thanks to the cartoonist's humour. This cartoon is clever enough to influence the readers but at the same time there is nothing to approve at all because each and every one can give their own opinion. Needless to say that document is linked to The Idea Of Progress

There is so much to do with laws against illegal downloading but is it worse than stealing a DVD in a supermarket? What's your point of view?