Are we trapped in an escapist world of digital culture?

This blog is on my personal opinion of how technology can be used to escape from our everyday lives, my viewpoints are directed from a cynical point of view. Technology allows us to momentarily escape from our reality; it ultimately distracts us from being present in our daily lives. I don’t think it is a bad thing to want to escape from our norm and it is actually quite healthy for us to indulge in other ‘realities’ from time to time. But the problem arises when people use these additional realities to escape from their current situations and technology has provided the platform to do just that. Television, internet, video games and social media (to name the few) can all be used as a method of escapism – for example watching a movie to help take your mind off current situation.

We don't have in our culture a healthy understanding and respect for the value of Being, which is simply being present in the moment, not trying to go somewhere, not trying to accomplish anything but, just present. ~ Shakti Gawain ~

In this blog, I will be discussing escapism through the use of technology specifically by using social media. To be quite frank, I still can’t figure out why social media is still called SOCIAL because it clearly isn’t. In my opinion, using technology as a means to communicate is very convenient at specific times but in no way social. To me socialising is about connecting with people in real life, not through an electric void of ‘nothingness’. In modern society we can recognize the significant role technology (social media) has in our world, take a glance at the cafes that used to be social environments but are now full with people glued to their lap tops or I pads.

“We have invented inspiring and enhancing technologies, yet we have allowed them to diminish us.” Sherry Turkle

I agree with this quote in terms of what could happen if social media replaces our natural ability to communicate effectively with each other. When technology replaces people -we can see this happening already for example operators/self-checkouts etc.

I would prefer not to sound hypocritical because I do in fact use social media however I am very aware of its effects on myself and surrounding.  I value personal connections to people way more than I do the virtual, in my view; social media is full of misconceptions and in some cases false projections of one’s identity. I also think that messages sent through social media are far less valuable, I would appreciate a letter sent from a close friend instead of a casual Facebook ‘poke’. The whole theory behind social media is this feeling of being ‘connected’ but for me it has the opposite effect. Yes it is nice to communicate with people irrespective of time and place but I feel far more rewarded interacting with people in everyday life.

Technology and Education

Advancements in technology in the education sector can be seen as an achievement or in fact a remedy for disaster, this outlook differs depending on the institution. Educators consider that the operational use of technology (methods for research/communication) effective in the learning environment. However they also think that the use of social media and digital gaming (to name the few) are futile and time consuming. The main concern for institutions is how to get students to make constructive use of technology. I have conducted research to show that technology can be positive or negative depending on how it is used. In this blog I will be analysing the effect of technology on the educational systems how and how technology can be used to enrich learning.

It seems that in modern times educational institutions are concerned with the increasing amount of social media and digital communication, educators want to stress the importance of text books and interactive learning. It is also a general view that digital gaming is non-constructive, senseless and maybe even a form of social escapism. However, through conducted research I can prove that this is not entirely true. I will also be showing how digital gaming can be used as an effective learning mechanism.

The well-known game CIVILIZATION has been highly touted by people working in the educational sector, Kurt Squire and folks at the games, learning and Society group have extensively written about this game and its powerful educational uses. They opposed that playing a game like CIVILISATION can aid in advancements in terminology, geographical awareness and historical understanding. The main goal of the game is for players to become the dominant surviving civilization; this is done by successfully building an empire by building their own civilisation around societal development and diplomacy. Games like this can increase the ability to process information through imagery and text simultaneously. It also aids in processing the information that is relevant to them whilst disregarding what is not. All of these skills can be used in everyday working life – for example, reading an email where minor detail can be extracted without having to read the whole thing.

Digital gaming usually involves creating a world in which players actively participate in; this enables people to create their own domain in which they use strategic thinking to make choices and solve complex problems- All in which can be used in everyday life. In my opinion, a game like CIVILISATION can be used to educate people in an engaging and entertaining context; young people are much more inclined to learn if they are guaranteed fun during the process – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t’ like to have fun? The society we live in seems to replace fun with endless conventions and tedious task. Why not get rid of boring factual text books and instead use digital games, practical engagement and social interactions to service the learning process.

Technology is opening up opportunities whereby educators can improve their teaching facilities and students may enrich their learning skills. Technology has released another realm where interaction is made possible regardless of our physical location; it has made information accessible to everyone. I think the educational systems should focus more on fun and less on compliance. There is this general view that young people should be conformed, however evidently this completely backfires on the system. Young people have a natural desire to explore and yet educational systems persistently attempt to regulate and monitor this aspiration by imposing rules and regulation. I think educational systems should learn respect and accommodate this desire for exploration by allowing new and more exciting methods of learning.  We all know that people work better in different environments, educational systems s should stop simplifying people for convenience sake, but rather learn to understand and cultivate this concept in order to ensure that everyone is equal and working to their full potential. 

Available at: http://www.civilization.com/ Accessed on 16.01.12
Images Available at:http://images.itreviews.com/www.itreviews.co.uk%2Fphotos%2FStrategyCivilization-5.jpg Accessed on 12.01.12

The Media

The Media Industry

The South African voice, culture and history are shown to us through the eyes of the media, but surely culture and history are the property of the each citizen? I believe that for the nation to be free, they must take ownership of their stories and share them themselves instead of allowing the media to take hold and manipulate these stories. If this were to happen, people would be active agents in how their image and history is represented.

The Media has generally been very critical of South Africa undoubtedly because of their historical past- it was simply a feast for the media. However, the media also has the power to shift the global view of South Africa into a more positive stance.

 History & Media, Available at: http://www.africanholocaust.net/ah_about.htm#media [Accessed on 27/11/11]

The events and media industry toil together, events get put on and the media speculates and broadcasts its happening. This is a win-win ordeal – the media gets news and the events gain publicity.  When looking at South Africa from a cultural perspective we can see how these industries have had a significant effect on how the world interprets South Africa, I am not only talking about sporting and leisure events but also the momentous political events. I am going to analyse and discuss how businesses in South Africa used the media industry  to change the worlds perceptions of South Africa by displaying the ‘’rainbowness’’ and apparent multiculturalism of the ‘new South Africa’ particularly during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The media happens to be a manipulative and powerful industry, sometimes its construal is not entirely correct and yet people tend to believe it solely without inquisition. This example shows how the media has used advertisements to expose a somewhat altered ‘reality’. The famous Castle Larger displayed an advert showing South Africans of different races enjoying the beer together, the tag line was ‘’One Beer One Nation’’ I think the underlying implication of this quote was that in the New South Africa, there was dual citizenship and people were now equal - hence the repetition of One, implying cohesion. Although this scenario was constitutionally true, I think it was culturally and realistically very different. Another example is the slogan for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) ‘Simunya – We are one’’ which also implies the same message of a united nation.

Political Event

June the 16^th marked a significant time in South African History – it was the day Sowetan schools protested against being taught in the Afrikaans language. It is now known as National Youth Day.

This photo of Hector Pieterson became an iconic of the 1976 Soweto uprising, the image became a symbol of struggle and confrontation towards the apartheid government; it was universally recognised and displayed a state of affairs that could not have been portrayed using words alone. This image shook the whole world. I am using this example to indicate how the media used one image to expose how corrupt the South African state was -this clearly demonstrates how effective the media industry can be.

Sporting Event

I was in South Africa during the build-up towards the 2010 FIFA World Cup; I noticed that the advertising industry had transformed its motives. They were now focusing on amplifying and representing the countries concord, I suppose this was their way of showcasing the transformation South Africa was undergoing and essentially inviting the world to witness. This example shows the media in a positive spectrum because it is in the media’s interest to set out a positive image of South Africa to the world, the industry wants to entice the potential FIFA World Cup spectators.

 In my view, the media should stop attempting to project this view of a rainbow nation whereby all cultures and races interact and live in harmony because it is not entirely correct. Yes we have seen a huge conversion in South Africa but this’ rainbowness’ is merely an illusion. I think people should embrace in their cultural differences and accept that race is a part of it. We should celebrate the countries liberation and the autonomy of individuals and their cultures. We should also come to terms with South Africa’s past in order to move forward and anticipate the future of South Africa.

 

Available at: Google books: Health communication in Southern Africa: engaging with social and cultural diversity. Edited by L. Lagerwerf, H. Boer, H. Wasserman, Chapter 6 [Accessed on 27/11/11]4

How the Media & Events industry can alter our perceptions

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a significant time for South Africa; it was a time for the nation to showcase their ability to host such a largely domineering event, an event that the majority of the world will be watching. In this blog I will be discussing the use of the media industry in relation to this event. I will also be looking into how an event can have a significant impact on the cultural, social and economic factors.

How did a country with one of the highest crime rates in the world be elected to host the 2010 FIFA world cup? Surely they should have chosen a well-structured first world country? South Africa Averages 50 murder’s a day in a nation of 47 million. www.africanholocaust.net [Accessed on 17/11/11] It has also been ranked first in rapes and has a notorious record for car hijacking.

‘’We want, on behalf of our continent, to stage an event that will send ripples of confidence from the Cape to Cairo– an event that will create social and economic opportunities throughout Africa. We want to ensure that one day, historians will reflect upon the 2010 World Cup as a moment when Africa stood tall and resolutely turned the tide on centuries of poverty and conflict. We want to show that Africa’s time has come.’ Thabo Mbeki

This is a very bold statement made by Thabo Mbeki – South Africa’s former president, although his hopes did come true, the main question is – did they last?

This statistic shows the Local perspective on the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Research has shown that people have high expectations of the 2010 FIFA World

Cup™ (Pillay, 2006):

•           85% optimistic about job creation and economic growth;

•           33% expect to gain personally from 2010 FIFA World Cup;

•           78% expect black economic empowerment to improve;

•           75% believe that rundown parts of the locality in which they live will be upgraded

Many reports have stated that the FIFA World cup was a honeymoon period for South Africa, unsustainable and extremely fabricated. I have to agree and disagree with this assumption because although there has been a significant improvement in terms of economy and infrastructure I think the most important aspect is the shift in the global perception of South Africa.

‘’We have witnessed the explosion of national pride across all races and cultures," South African - President Jacob Zuma

This statement entails some true and false implications, there was certainly a burst of pride across the nation but how long did it last? I was in South Africa during the build up towards the event and I must say - the sense of euphoria was definitely in the atmosphere. I think the ‘explosion of pride’ happened between the subdivisions but not as a unifying whole.

Doesn’t he mean to say..

‘’We have witnessed an explosion of pride across races and cultures independently’’

What I am trying to imply here is that yes, the nation was filled with pride and enthusiasm but this did not fundamentally change the state of the nation. The economical, racial and cultural divide was still very much present and visitors would eventually come to acknowledge this.

The media projected a constant state of unification during the build-up period in order to entice the visitors. I was in South Africa during the time and I remember how the adverts had changed significantly and noticeably – showing a people of different cultures enjoying a product together. There was a constant reminder of ‘oneness’ which was so clearly exaggerated and only accurate in an idealistic reality.

South Africa is still undergoing amendment, as mentioned in previous blogs a political revolution is not enough to change a cultural discernment.The media’s forced attempt to re kindle the cultural fragments that were left behind is proving ineffective, in my opinion the solution is primarily acceptance in order to allow the moving forward process

This video was taken on the 18th of December 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The comments made in this video are all personal opinions
The following people have been interviewed: Jasmin Mieny, Natalie Mamela and Caitlin Smith
It was edited by myself on the 15th of January 2012

Many people undoubtedly questioned South Africa’s ability to host such a major event, being a third world country with a high crime rate and a toxic historical past. However the final success of this event proved nations wrong.

South Africa, Gateway to the Nation. Available at: http://www.southafrica.info/2010/hearts.htm [Accessed on 01/12/11]

The Power of Art

Apartheid Art

South Africa was a society divided into colonizer and native, white and non-white, citizen and subject, employed and indentured, free and slave. The result was a fragmented national identity symbolized and implemented by the white minority government's policy of racial separation.

Countries & their Cultures Available at: http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/South-Africa.html [Accessed on 09/11/2011]

The subject of apartheid is a highly complex one; this was such a cruel and malicious time in history, a time where our inhumane dispositions really transpired. In my opinion, this was also a time that marked the ‘importance’ of culture, people felt so strongly attached to their culture which then resulted in them  enforcing rules to elude the possibility of cultural diversity. The white minority saw their culture as their identity and the thought of losing their identity was inconceivable, I will expand on this subject in later blogs.


The power of Art

Art became a vehicle for socio-political opinions; it was a way of transporting how the majority of people felt at this time, it was a way of liberating speech, and expressing culture - without anyone being directly persecuted. Everything that quantifies ones culture was snatched away from the oppressed people; they were fundamentally robbed of their identities, their beings, art gives us insight to this ordeal. To me, the beauty of art is that it can be interpreted differently by each individual; we are entitled our own opinion, this is significant in this time of coercion.

The Butcher Boys -Jane Alexandra

Available at: http://anarchistcoloringbook.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/the-butcher-boys/ [Accessed on 25/11/11]

This sculpture above was created by Jane Alexandra, a South African artist; she was seen as an artist that focused on portraying not only the political issues but the deep seated psychological difficulties South Africa faced. I studied her work and found this particular piece of work the most intensely moving, visually, I would say that it is very disturbing however intellectually I think it is ingenious. She creates life size sculptures so that when the viewer is confronted by this piece of art, they feel as though it is real. Alexander does a brilliant job in evoking emotions out of the viewer; even looking a picture of the sculpture gives me a sense of unease. The artwork represents the brutal dehumanizing reality of the apartheid era, the butcher boys look like animals - this represents the barbaric way people were treating each other at the time. Their mouths are forced closed; this resembles the absence of free expression of the oppressed people, the lifeless colour shows the intensity of their eradication from society, they are no longer human.

Jane Alexandra – Man with TV

This piece of art depicts the current situation in South Africa; the man represents the previously disadvantaged black man. The African man is given a suit which I take to be symbolic of authority but he is given little guidance. I get the feeling that he is rather misplaced in society, he doesn’t know what to do with his ‘power’ because he is only used to being powerless and immobilised. I can’t help but recognise that this ‘situation’ as a fairly current one. I spent 2months in Cape Town where I often saw this scenario, a black male in the city centre wearing a suit and tie but not quite fitting the role. I think it is because people find it very hard to break away from their demeaned sense of self. I don’t think giving someone a suit and a high paid job can really repair the inequalities of the past.

http://www.artthrob.co.za/01mar/images/alexander01a.jpg [Accessed on 25/11/11]




 

Gerard Sekoto: Song of the Pick

Gerark Sekoto became South Africa’s first black artists to have produced an artwork featured in a museum collection. The Johannesburg Art Gallery brought his ‘’Yellow Houses – Sophia town’’ in 1940. On the contrary, Sekoto had to pretend to be a cleaner in order to access the gallery and view the painting himself.

The art work represents slavery in South Africa, the alignment of the workers shows a loss of identification, they all look the same, there is no individuality and they are seen as merely labours. In the background we can see a white male who is telling them what to do; this clearly shows the white minority power. The scene created in this work of art is one in which I saw on a daily basis, what I found unusual was that everyone referred to their maids and workers as girl and boy. For example, garden boy or kitchen girl. When I first heard this I found is quite amusing and somewhat disconcerting, however once again over time I became accustomed to it. In my opinion, this artwork resembles the disillusionment of culture; it signifies an extensive loss of culture and individual expression.

http://myfundi.co.za/e/Gerard_Sekoto [Accessed on 09/11/11]

I think studying Jane Alexandra and Gerard Sekoto (to name the few) works allowed me to understand more about the apartheid era and its effects on South African culture. Art invited me into the core political dynamics that South Africa went through; this helped me understand the people and their culture. I studied art intensely for 4 years and I can say that without it, I would have had a reduced cultural understanding of South Africa.

A New culture

A New Culture – The rainbow nation

http://www.ezakwantu.com/Rainbow%20Nation.jpg [Accessed on 20/11/11]

Is this concept of a rainbow nation merely an illusion or in fact a dream that is yet to be fulfilled? How will a society fraught with the prejudice nature of its past become a truly democratic nation?  South Africa has had to undergo a huge cultural and political revolution and it’s certain to have an effect on the culture as a whole. The term ‘Rainbow Nation’ in some ways resembles a new culture, in which all cultures accept and appreciate their differences. In my opinion, this ‘Rainbow Nation’ is a whole other culture its self, a culture whereby the sub cultures of South Africa live together in harmony.

“It was through the nation state that we were being constituted as citizens of the world; but it is hard to see how this form of political identity could furnish motives as deep-seated as cultural ones.”(Eagleton 2000:61)

I think that this quote signifies the fact that a change of political law cannot suddenly change an innate cultural one. Cultural ‘laws’ can evolve into a mind-set which people find very difficult to change; it is a set of rigid views , morals and beliefs - the majority of which makes up a person’s culture. Most of the people in charge of the apartheid regime felt that there was absolutely nothing with this arrangement. They felt that it was the way things should be…

http://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rainbownation1.jpg [Accessed on 20/11/11]

The main question concerning the ‘New South Africa’ or the post-apartheid era is – How will South Africa, with such a deeply entrenched cultural & racial segregated past move forward into a liberated multi-cultural society? Is it entirely possible? I can’t help feel that previously oppressed people might seek revenge and there has been evidence of this. For example I remember getting back from school and watching the news, only to see groups of people striking over being overworked and underpaid. This was not a peaceful protest; this was a protest with underlying hate and retribution. My friend’s mother whom I was living with said that it was a glimpse of South Africa’s past. People were burning tyres in the middle of the roads, tipping rubbish bins out on to the street and fundamentally ruining their own land. At first found this appalling, how could they ruin their own streets? But the more I thought about the concept and imagined myself in the situation, the more I came to terms with it.

In my own experience of living in South Africa, I found that the farmers (Afrikaans people) found it a lot harder to comprehend my nationality; the assumption was that i was a South African ‘coloured’ (based purely on appearance) but as soon as I spoke with my English accent they became abruptly confused and couldn’t quite understand. After meeting many Afrikaans people I noticed that before I explained where I was from, I would be looked at quite inversely and it was only after many encounters that I realised what it was. Their preconception of me was so strong that I was automatically categorised and judged, I’d never had anyone look at me in that certain way before. Growing up in London helped me to accept people from various backgrounds and cultures, but in South Africa, things were a lot different.

I also had to get used to different phases that would be referred to as ‘racist comments’ anywhere else in the world, but in South Africa, they were in fact socially accepted. For example ‘’the blacks’’ or ‘’the whites’’ and even the word ‘’collored’’ being referred at to collored myself I found degrading. However surprisingly and over time I came to terms with the expression and began to refer to myself as coloured and even started used the phrase myself!

"Human relations cannot be peaceful, satisfactory, and happy until placed on the basis of mutual self-respect. The proper name for people, has thus become, in this period of crucial change and rapid reformation on a world scale, a vital factor in determining basic attitudes involving how, and even whether, people will continue to live together on this shrinking planet." - Richard B. Moore

Politics and culture are continuously changing in the expanding world we live in, but the linguistics hasn’t shifted to accommodate these changes. The post-apartheid South African state is thought-provoking; here we have a country bursting with potential if their pursuit for building a new nation becomes a reality. South Africa has one of the most stunning geographical landscapes followed by spectacular views and an all year round desirable climate. South African culture at its best is known for their hospitality and friendliness- contrary to their past. I think that over time people are beginning to view South Africa as a safe and pleasant place to visit. Well known events that take place such as the FIFA World Cup also contribute to the global perspective of South Africa. In my later blogs I will begin to explain how the events and media industry can help revolutionise the widespread view of a country.

http://www.africanholocaust.net/articles/SOUTH%20AFRICA%2010%20DAYS.htm [Accessed on 16/11/2011]

A Rainbow Nation

 In January 1991, Gordon Van De Merve (editor of military magazine) shot himself and his family, a letter was found by his neighbour explaining that he saw no future in ‘The New South Africa’ http://www.jstor.org/pss/2934900 [Accessed on 26/10/2011

This scenario clearly demonstrates how values and beliefs (culture) can be so strong. Apartheid was so culturally embedded and a change of legislation alone could never determine the transformation itself.  Although I was dismayed by this man’s actions, I can also say that he was somewhat brave and honest with what he did. Many people in South Africa still live with the deep animosity and secretly seek revenge, but they would not dare to take any action on how they felt unless it was some sort of mass verdict. People find it easier to express their emotions in large groups – protests etc. This is because it eliminates the chance of them being personally liable. So although I do not approve with Van De Merve’s naïve reaction to ‘the end of apartheid’ I can give him credit for his rectitude.

 South Africa, which is also referred to as ‘the rainbow nation’ has one of the most complex and diverse culture in the world, it is so ethnically rich. However, their historical past has had a detrimental effect on how the world views the country as a whole, many people associate South Africa with crime, apartheid and poverty. Although these are still fairly current, they are far more in subtle than in the past or how the media tends to speculate.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--nyFW18AV20/Tjenc4GDpkI/AAAAAAAACyE/spOv_kVs-Bg/s1600/africa.png [Accessed on 26/10/2011]

The media and technology has an impact on how people view South Africa, sadly, the word Africa conjures up images of deprived people, AIDS, and devastation. Numerous people still view South Africa as a racist nation; this is because during apartheid the media revealed the dreadful events that took place during the apartheid era. The media also tends to focus on broadcasting and amplifying the bad news.

 http://downatthirdman.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/end-apartheid-now.jpg [Accessed on 9/11/11]

In 1990, the National Party Government lifted the ban on African National Congress and released Nelson Mandela; this date marks ‘the end of apartheid’ but a law conversion was nowhere near enough to transfigure the inexpressible psychological trauma the oppressed people had gone through. It was not enough to cover up the obvious anxieties surrounding the imminent transition of ‘power’ how on earth were such physically and mentally oppressed people able to suddenly rise up and become empowered? In my opinion, the only way this changeover will be possible is through education.

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/4030/PreviewComp/SuperStock_4030-4590.jpg [Accessed on 01/11/2011]

 

I spent 5 years of my life in South Africa, from ages 15 – 20, from being in an independent school in North London to suddenly finding myself in a private boarding school in Port Elizabeth. In the beginning it was a huge culture shock for me; I remember my fist lesson in Afrikaans, I didn’t even know the language existed and yet it was compulsory for everyone study, needless to say my first oral was horrific. Spending time in the boarding house allowed me to adjust to the societal changes, I made many friends and my residence became like home from home. After making friends I was able to sign out to their houses on the weekends, this allowed me to see different parts of the Eastern Cape.I think being in the boarding house somewhat restricted me into seeing other aspects of SA culture, the majority of pupils at my school were middle class white people of the same cultural background. After 3 years in the boarding house i moved to Jeffery’s bay with a close friend and her family where I got a profound insight into South African culture. I grew to love, appreciate and understand their way of life.

 

From my experience, South Africa had two realities, one in which rich (majority white) people live in huge houses, send their children to private school and usually have their own business. On the other hand of the spectrum you have poverty stricken shanty towns with people struggling to make a living and often result in begging. What shocked me most is that these two realities can be of such close proximity to each other and that the reality of the situation is evidently ignored. When I first noticed the apparent difference my heart went out to the all the unfortunate people, I would always reach into my pocket and give change; I knew this wouldn’t make much of a difference but it made me feel sincere. Conversely, towards the end of my time in South Africa I began to get accustomed to the situation, I suppose being confronted by this reality on a daily basis made me somewhat oblivious. It wasn’t that I purposely chose to ignore the situation, but an unconscious decision to disregard the obvious as a means of ‘sheltering’ myself to avoid getting emotionally drawn in.