Year 2: The real deal

Will Brooker opens the article by suggesting that there is no originality left and all that is left is to imitate what already exists.  Brooker defines the x factor phenomenon as a mirrorball of snatched images. This indicates a further fragmentation of imagery and greater reliance on the past for inspiration. I agree with Brooker in that the X factor offers a familiar environment and experience that offers nothing new. Whilst the show highlights the potential for fame for the winner it is actually the runners up who seem to have had greater success. Brooker cites Baudrillard "When the real is no longer what it used to be nostalgia assumes its full meaning." This suggests that our memories of an event are often clouded by nostalgia and personal experience.

Brooker talks about the group Little Mix. The group are presented as a new and exciting act whereas in reality the act is a copy of Girls Aloud. The X Factor presents the girls as individuals that you can associate with to encourage the public to vote and ultimately buy Cds and associated materials. This show appeals to a demographic.

Brooker discusses the audience's reaction to the show and the manner in which they view the event. The live singer has become secondary to the TV screen and ultimately the screen of their mobile phone. This reminds me of Magritte's image ceci n'est pas une pipe in that the audience are looking at a picture of the singer rather than looking at the singer.

 

The audience are happy to be part of something they see as significant whilst in reality it is in fact a charade. The event is laid out ahead of time but more significantly the event is in no way organic and runs to a predetermined precise schedule. Despite the scripted nature of the show which the audience are aware of the audience remains happy to invest in the performers. I think this relates to the fact that the audience can empathise with the acts whom they have perceived to be "ordinary" people like themselves.

 

The author suggests that beyond the world of X Factor we live in a society controlled by spectacle. Debord offers the following definition which stronly relates to Brookers article

 

The spectacle appears at once as society itself, as a part of society and as a means of unification. As a part of society, it is that sector where all attention, all consciousness converges. Being isolated- and precisely for that reason- this sector is the locus of illusion and false consciousness; the unity it imposes is merely the official language of generalised separation. (Debord 2002 p12)

 

Debord. G., (2002) The Society of the Spectacle. 7th ed USA MIT Press.

 

 

 

In games design I believe there is still the potential for originality. However in AAA games trends are usually followed as the game manufacturers remain unwilling to take risks for fear of losing their place in the market. Gaming has become an accepted part of society which also embraces spectacle.