Kenna Keller - Yamamoto: Prologue & Story 1

1. Correlations/Similarities

  • Uncommon method of writing
  • Use of a timeline
  • Refraining from pronouncing any kind of technology as good or bad
2. Three media this text brings to mind:
  • Black Mirror's 'Metalhead' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalhead_(Black_Mirror)). The prologue immediately brought this intense black and white Black Mirror episode to my mind. It details a post apocalyptic world, the aftermath of "a time when humans still prospered" (1, Kindle Edition). "The deserted buildings looked as if they might crumble at any moment. Most of the windows were shattered, the writing on the weathered billboards difficult to make out, and vines tangled up the walls. The towering buildings made the streets, which had been deprived of their purpose long ago, look like the bottom of a gorge. Weeds sprawled out of the cracks in the asphalt, while what remained of rotted billboards were scattered everywhere" (2, Kindle edition). This setting is popular among science fiction media, pushing consumers to put consideration into what the world would be like in the absence of humans and the very real possibility that such a scenario could and will play out. The Black Mirror episode, obviously, must portray this visually while Yamamoto does so with imagery like "shattered" and "deserted" but the end results are undeniably similar.
  • Sophia (http://sophiabot.com/about-me/). The introduction of Ibis instantly reminded me of Sophia, a new robotic citizen. The most applicable passage, in my opinion, was describing "one of the cameras behind the lens designed to look like a human eye" (4, Kindle edition). Sophia is unsettling to many people because she appears so human but is undeniable artificial. There is nothing innately robotic about her, but we, as humans, are able to detect incredibly slight cues to indicate her mechanical nature. The concept of animating robots to the point of appearing almost human is present in fiction as well as in real life, blurring the lines between writing and the real world.
  • Black Mirror's 'USS Callister' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Callister). Story 1 reminded me of Black Mirror's season 4 opener 'USS Callister'. The Celestial reminded me of the USS Callister immediately, even via syntax of name. The idea of the reality of a story ceasing to exist while the emotions are real, however, is the true kicker. Both stories detail a dilemma not faced in our idea of the 'real world'. Camaraderie and success, however, cross this boundary of reality and push the boundaries regarding what actually is 'real'.
3. Learning about digital cultures via fiction makes this type of information, in my opinion, more digestible. This is why our society is fascinated with artifacts like Black Mirror and science fiction stories, because it makes the possibility of a reality like this safely palpable. It both exhibits an aura of outlandishness, calming us into believing we have the time and means to disallow this from happening, but also reinforces critical thought and reflection on reality. It promotes even further investigation as well, prompting readers to look beyond the black and white literal text, to draw conclusions and symbols and relate them to our current world. I consider it one of the safest and most efficient means of instilling a safe amount of concern.

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