By: tbalogh

tbalogh — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:13:35 +0000

I see one of the layers as the general ability for people to disassociate themselves from “the other” when justifying actions that they would feel uncomfortable imposing upon named individuals, especially those from their direct “clan”. I feel that this is something that human beings are and have been very good at doing through out the centuries even before the introduction of modern media.
However, modern media has the ability to give us just another window to look through. As soon as someone is “named” and humanized and officially a member of your group it becomes harder to disassociate. I feel like that is what happens in the piece “Dead in Iraq”. The naming of soldiers in that environment sort of jolts the consciousness of those playing the game. I wonder though, what change of reaction would there be if those being named where not U.S. soldiers but Iraqis or members of the other “clan”? What would be the reaction of Iraqi soldier upon hearing the naming of the dead U.S. soldiers?
I remember being at work during an air strike on Iraq’s military and security targets in 1998. I worked out at the airport, and the break room was full of people while we waited for one of the late planes to arrive. The television was showing the military strike “live”. I watched the air shot imagery of explosions as I looked over the heads of my fellow coworkers who were laughing and talking as they played cards and drank coffee. I remember thinking, “I am watching people die.”
Media tools, including games, can be used to encourage our ability to disassociate from each other and ourselves. However, they are only tools and for that reason can be used for the opposite effect. I believe your video piece began to touch on that ability. I think that might be what is happening in Machinima work. Even the comedy of “Red vrs Blue” puts personalities upon the blank faces.

Comments on: Monday’s Presentation

By: tbalogh