Astral Facts, November 2013
His Bowtie is Really a Camera!
Astral: (Theosophy) Consisting of, belonging to, or designating, a kind of supersensible substance alleged to be next above the tangible world in refinement; as, astral spirits; astral bodies of persons; astral current.
His Bowtie is Really a Camera
Long before people were freakin’ about the impending Y2K disaster (remember that?) a more subdued anxiety was caused by George Orwell’s 1949 novel, 1984. While certainly a work of an unrealistic future, it was still troubling, for other writings, such as Jules Verne’s views of undersea and outer space travel, were certainly becoming realities.
Following Arthur Miller’s impression of the darker side of the America Dream, as expressed in Death of a Salesman (also in 1949 and still being read – and being performed on our campus next month) and The Crucible (1953), the turmoil of the 1960’s was expressed in music, such as the song “America” in Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends album (1968) (a source of the title for this issue).
Over 40 years later, in this current holiday season, we might pause to be thankful those predictions from back in those days have turned out to be “spurious” --- or have they? With all the wonderful technology at easy access these days, is Big Brother still lurking behind a black velvet curtain (or even that black velvet Elvis painting) now transformed into an Ethernet screen?
Recent news reports here in the Seattle area revealed that a new tracking system has been installed in the downtown area capable of tracking up to 1000 electronic media pings for each individual person passing through or wandering around the area.
Of course, situations such as this are rarely overlooked by the creative artists within the Humanities Sciences. Whether by print, audio, video, paint splashed on burlap, assorted scrap iron welded sculptures, the potter’s wheel, and even the chainsaw artist, implications of the media are expressed through the media.
We can take a look at how things may be in 2023 --- How about the Ultimate Social Network? (this one’s a bit longer, about 15 minutes, but a great backdrop for entertainment during a lunch break or escape from student papers)
Back in 1951, Ray Bradbury jumped 100 years into his future. We might wonder if it is our future as well: Ray Bradbury, “The Pedestrian,”
(If the link does not work, just copy and repaste the URL into your browser.)
As for our present, we can see the authorities have backed off, as reported in the media:
Or at least, that is what it seems on the surface. Fortunately, we have the comfort of knowing that our government is listening to us!
Smile at the bowtie!
Walter Lowe
Astral Facts is a somewhat regular presentation of Humanities Science, produced in the bowels of the Humanities Science offices during the academic year.
Astral Facts is a somewhat regular presentation of Humanities Science, produced in the bowels of the Humanities Science offices during the academic year.
