Re: The New Media: A query

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>I keep saying to myself 'The Emperor's got no clothes' every time one of
>the enthusiasts for the New begin their spiel.  However is there anything
>in it?  Could a new art form emerge from the computer industries?  What
>about the possibilities of interactivity?  Is the CD rom a defunct
>technology as some have claimed?   Apart from Heartfield's book is there
>anything else that I should be reading?
>
>regards
>
>Gary

I think the thing to look for is not formal breakthroughs, which is what is
being hyped the most, but the ability for the 'amateur' to bypass corporate
control and go directly to the population such is the case with Napster.
Digital cameras and computers like the new IMac make movie-making
relatively cheap. Once you have the whole thing produced, you can advertise
and distribute it over the Internet. After looking at reviews of the
garbage that hits NYC theaters each week, I say that this new medium will
be addressing a burning need. One of the aspects of late capitalism that
few commentators seem capable of addressing is the cultural rot which
leaves us feeling hollow and dissatisfied. One of the reasons I spend so
much time on the net, when I am not reading, is that so much of radio and
television is not only garbage, it is saturated with ads. The ones that
seem most offensive nowadays are those for some wonder drug for overweight
or asthma, etc. that come with a mandatory warning about the side-effects.
"For most people, Gastrebex will relieve the symptoms of flatulence, but
for others there can be mild occurrences of nausea, headache, warts, memory
lapse and facial hair outbreak. Consult your doctor first to see if
Gastrebex is right for you."

Louis Proyect
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