FIGHTING for my Attention

This post marks the end of my third session of live analysis of the tension between futuristic representations and personal reality through the movies 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Her (2013) and Ghost in the Shell (1995). For this subject, we utilise Discord as a medium for distributing our analysis, building a community full of fellow students. The skill of live analysis and live reacting is one of which will be highly praised and relevant within my future ambitions in the Communication and Media industry (Moore, 2024). That doesn't mean that it has been easy.

Game Plan

Initially, I approached each session with a structured plan. I would research each film, dissecting film techniques, thematic elements, and academic interpretations, such as exploring 2001: A Space Odyssey through various film analysis documents. This preparation also included subject materials and weekly readings, intending to align these insights with live observations. However, this method proved cumbersome in practice. The real-time nature of the screenings forced a more intuitive approach, leading me to rely on on-the-spot analysis and direct engagement with the film's dialogue and visual techniques. This shift allowed for a more genuine and fluid connection between the film's content and the subject material. I often found myself playing on my interests or personal knowledge to draw connections and insights between movies and the world during the screenings.

Live Posting on Discord and Peer Interaction

Engaging in live discussions on Discord was initially overwhelming. The fast-paced nature of the conversation and the challenge of contributing thoughtfully to others' threads tested my adaptability and critical thinking. However, this process became increasingly rewarding, as it exposed me to diverse perspectives and deepened my understanding of both the films and the subject matter. Starting with a more general discussion style and adopting a more critical and data-driven approach in later weeks, I believe I am finding my footing and contributing more meaningful insights.

Leveraging AI for Deeper Insights

Incorporating ChatGPT into my preparation enhanced the depth and relevance of my analysis. Access to GPT-4 allowed me to generate comprehensive frameworks and unique perspectives on each film, significantly enriching the live discussion. ChatGPT's insights, based on lectures, academic articles, and subject concepts, were invaluable in aligning with the subject discussions accurately.

Connecting Films with Subject Material

The process of linking the films to subject material illuminated the complex dialogue between speculative fiction and the critical theories surrounding future cultures.

2001: A Space Odyssey became a lens through which I explored the evolution of technology and its existential implications for humanity, resonating deeply with the week's lecture focus on artificial intelligence and the ethical considerations underscored by philosopher Nick Bostrom. The film's portrayal of HAL 9000's sentience and its subsequent impact on the human characters offered a vivid illustration of the ethical quandaries and potential existential risks of AI, themes that were rigorously discussed in our subject materials.

Her (2013) provided an equally compelling narrative for exploring the intricacies of human-AI relationships, delving into the ethical and emotional dimensions of such interactions. The film prompted critical reflection on the concepts of AI ethics and human-AI partnerships, echoing the views of futurist, George Dvorsky who advocates for responsible AI development. My discussions around Her questioned the implications of developing sentient AI and looked at the potential for genuine emotional connections between humans and AI, a topic that bridged academic theories with the personal and societal implications presented in the film.

In analysing Ghost in the Shell (1995), I engaged with the exploration of cyberculture and the concept of the cyborg as outlined in Donna Haraway's Cyborg Manifesto (Haraway, 1985). The film's exploration of identity, consciousness, and the blurring lines between the organic and the artificial served as a powerful commentary on the evolving relationship between humans and technology. This analysis was enriched when looking at our current era with the Anthropocene and the speculative possibilities of what our culture might become in a future like set in Ghost in the Shell, allowing for a deeper understanding of the film's thematic resonance with current technological and societal shifts.

Future Goals and Improvements

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Last Updated: Friday, 5 April 2024, 12:38 PM