For those that didn't manage to see, hear or read 'The Speeches' yesterday, I found both of the following interesting and relevant to our current course:
This year in the Queen's Speech there was much talk of reflection and its benefits, whether these are to be seen in the long or short term, and within it, moments for pause and reflection, where video footage took over from the main dialogue.
It was interesting to see some of the technologies and ideas/theories we have been learning about broadcast on such a large scale. The Speech has been an annual event in our household since I was a child however I do not remember ever identifying with it so quickly and nor could I (if asked) recall any points for previous years speeches. I immediately wondered why? Was my connection to this speech one of maturity? One of understanding? One of currency/relevance? I believe a little of everything.
It was interesting to see some of the technologies and ideas/theories we have been learning about broadcast on such a large scale. The Speech has been an annual event in our household since I was a child however I do not remember ever identifying with it so quickly and nor could I (if asked) recall any points for previous years speeches. I immediately wondered why? Was my connection to this speech one of maturity? One of understanding? One of currency/relevance? I believe a little of everything.
The second of yesterday's speeches (for me - initially heard on the radio) was Channel 4s Alternative Christmas Speech. The basis for this speech is the issue brought to light by Snowden's Whistle Blowing story: the extent to which Governments monitor and track our movements.
Within the speech Snowden says:
"...The child born today will grow up with no conception of privacy at all. They'll never know what it means to have a private moment to themselves, an unrecorded, unanalysed thought. And that's a problem..."
Even taken out of context, as a stand alone statement, this has relevance and meaning to our current and future levels of interaction within the world of Web 2.0.
The speech also touches on how solitary reflection (under the guise of privacy) helps to determine who we are and who we want to be. He goes on to question the amount of trust we should place
The speech also touches on how solitary reflection (under the guise of privacy) helps to determine who we are and who we want to be. He goes on to question the amount of trust we should place
"...in the technology that surrounds us and the government that regulates it..."
Whilst the Queen's Christmas Message (2013) flicked a switch of recognition, enhancing confirmation in the importance of reflection, The Alternative Christmas Message (2013) once again brought me back to my thoughts in a previous blog posts. As many have over recent years, Snowden makes reference and to George Orwell's Dystopian Novel '1984' - a world in which such things as Big Brother and Thoughtcrime were referenced - not having yet read the book (something I will do) I am led to believe the story takes place in a world not dissimilar to the one we continue to enter into. But are things so different now to that of 100 years ago - Or is history, like fashion, just remodelling itself for the 21st century?
** I have taken the above videos from YouTube as opposed to their original sources in a bid to maintain longevity of this post. Programmes are often removed from iPlayer or 4OD after a period of time**
