≽ Identifying as a Consumer
As to what kind of consumer of culture I would most likely align myself with, it would definitely be anything to do with video entertainment. I follow movies quite closely, but I am extremely invested and passionate about video games.Video games allow a very unique medium to be provided to developers for nearly limitless forms of entertainment, story-telling, and even art. It is extraordinarily special, in regards to other entertainment mediums, in its ability to be able to engage the player themselves to not only interact and be an integral part within a game’s story, but to even be able to directly affect the outcome of an ending or complex situation. This can play major roles when it comes to just exactly what a player takes away from a given game. How they handled a situation can make one feel powerful, angry, sad, overjoyed, or even disappointed with themselves regarding certain actions that had intense consequences.
What this may say about myself I am not really sure, but I do allow it to open me to expansive selections of stories and characters, many of which originate from entirely different cultures and regions, and allow me to see the differences between the feeling of their art and animation.
≽ Future Consumer Culture
A future avenue of cultural consumption that absolutely fascinates me is that of Virtual Reality. The first time I wore a set of advanced VR headgear I was absolutely dumbfounded. The sense of realism and tangible surrounding quite literally opened up an entire new world in my eyes. The possibilities are endless. From video games, to movies, to even recreating ancient monuments from the renditions we have currently. Many who would never get the chance to walk through the Great Pyramids now can, and even rendered in such a way to make the user feel as if they are there during their prime.Although I believe traditional forms of art will always have a place in our history and culture, these forms of technological advancements and our use of them for art, entertainment, and ideas will be humanity’s future.
Hello Austin,
ReplyDeleteI have seen the VR headgear at mall kiosks and just recently on a Samsung Galaxy TV ad as an attachment you can purchase for your phone but still it has not called my attention. My lack of knowledge towards it might have something to do with it. It almost has seemed like a fad to me like the hover board a couple of years ago but you have brought an interesting perspective on it for me.
Maybe in the situations that I have seen VR headgear like at the malls or commercials are just a tiny, miniscule detail VR can be used and I am not looking at the overall picture. It did not occur to me until you mentioned that this can be people's chance to travel the world from their comfort of their home. It's not the same as just looking at pictures online if you actually feel like you are there.
The possibilities seem to be endless. VR can help a disabled veteran - only mobile by wheelchair - to see and experience otherwise difficult to see. Perhaps even assist with surgeons practicing "hands on" before an actual procedure. You mentioned videos and movies but really that might be just the beginning.
I will bite my tongue and not think negatively of VR until I try it first hand. I just really hope it is not like the 3-D DVD's or 3-D TV's that were tried to make into a "thing". Virtual Reality has a bit more of a sophisticated sound to it.
Thank you for sharing,
Mark