Week 8 – Internet Field Trip – eXistenZ – Jason Nelson

 

eXistenZ

This movie talks virtual gaming to its limits!  Shame about Jude Law’s stupid looking gun though!  I’ll give this 7 out of 10 as it did keep me interested all the way through.  The movie was interesting in the sense that you sometimes couldn’t distinguish which was the real world and the virtual… except for the 2 headed mutated lizard  

I’m sure in the exam there will be some interesting cyber questions on this screening! 

Task 1

What are the qualitative differences between the regular Instant Message program and a 3D environment? Also, what is different about the kinds of socialising that happens in these spaces? Does the 3D aspect make much difference?

In this particular 3D program, you not only have the possiblity of interacting with a normal text typing program but, you also can express emotion with the visual aspect. The 3D virtual reality gives the user an opportunity to explore, shop, meet, people amongst many other wacky ways of interacting in this powerful experience. There are fantastic ecucational advantages with this form of communication, making a fun experience and having some form of activity to stimulate or challenge the individual. As for creating a new profile or image for your own character, this can give a false sense of utopia and have an addictive effect, resulting in the individual prefering the 3D virtual world.  I find it interesting that in the advertising they mention it’s a safe way to make friends… where will this all leed?  Virtual sex like off the Demolition Man movie with Sylvestor and Sandra having simulated orgasms!!  This is definately not my way!!!!!!!!

3D Internet from http://www.activeworlds.com/ and also from http://www.imvu.com/

Having answered the questions in this task, I have seriously considered writing my assignment on the social and cultural affects of Virtual Worlds.

Jason Nelson’s lecture was different from many, even just the fact he liked to stand on the chairs made it very ‘unconventional’, and this word related to all of his Net Art.

I learned some interesting stuff from the visual importance of net art, because we all have one language (not English), the language of semiotics.  I also learned more about ‘cache’, the storing of your files accessed and how to delete those unwanted cookies.  The way to trace someones IP address was interesting too.  It’s true to say that your always being monitored!