Always find these discussions interesting, because I work in what is being called (unfortunately) "serious games". That is, games designed to teach something. Just so you know where I'm coming from.
The thing is, the Citizen Kane of video games hasn't happened yet. I think a lot of games come close, but none have quite reached the potential of the media form. Which is, taking advantage of the immersive environment (ICO is a good example of this, and I say this as someone that couldn't get past the damn windmill) but also taking advantage of the ability for the player to control their actions.
which is the opposite of the strategy of serious film and literature, which requires authorial control.
They're not missing the point by saying something like that. Considering my current headbutting with academia (as I'm not done with my undergrad and therefore incapable of understanding curriculum the way they do--I find this prevailing attitude a little immature) that is exactly what they want. Authoritarian control. The education system is built on that structure. Just think about how the typical classroom is situated. The teacher is at the front, and the students have to sit down below them.
Not dissing teachers in any way, my biggest problems have always been with administrators and "experts". I think quite a few teachers would try some wonderful and innovative things if they were given the chance. If it weren't for my seventh grade teacher being one of those, I wouldn't be where I am now.
But since I can go on for days about education, I'll move onto libraries.
Maybe books seem to be an emphasis where you are, but increasingly fewer books are making it into the libraries in my area. When I walk into the door, it closer resembles a video rental place. Is this a good thing? I don't know. Maybe books are becoming a lost art form, which is why they're getting so touchy about it.
I don't think that's the right attitude to have. I'll even go a dangerous step further and stocking the static types of newer media (DVDs, CDs) have less educational potential than something interactive could. But then, this is a system based on the lecture-and-notes structure of learning.
Since someone above me mentioned graphic novels, I have to say the more those get respected, the closer we'll probably get to video games getting respect. I happen to love graphic novels, because it combines the visual with the text.
Funny, how both video games and comic books were forbidden to me when I was a kid. Had to catch up during high school and college. XD I have thoroughly stuck my tongue out at my parents about the "time wasting hobbies" considering I get paid to look into that kind of media now.
I guess the thing that really gets me about the "media hierarchy" is that is forgets that books didn't really become the thing they are now until they became distributed to the public. That things like penny dreadfuls were the types of things that helped make reading more ubiquitous amongst the working class. That fighting the current trend of entertainment is fighting what is and possibly will be art.
It's elitism.
If they, whoever seems to be the people that determine "art" as that changes more often than my hair color, can't control it, then obviously, it's something the "rabble" enjoys.
Even some reality shows can be educational and past the point of exploitation. It's just knowing how to use it and make people reflect.
I also think I've babbled enough, apologies for the unconnectedness and incoherency. This is just what I do first thing in the morning--read my "news" so to speak.
no subject
The thing is, the Citizen Kane of video games hasn't happened yet. I think a lot of games come close, but none have quite reached the potential of the media form. Which is, taking advantage of the immersive environment (ICO is a good example of this, and I say this as someone that couldn't get past the damn windmill) but also taking advantage of the ability for the player to control their actions.
which is the opposite of the strategy of serious film and literature, which requires authorial control.
They're not missing the point by saying something like that. Considering my current headbutting with academia (as I'm not done with my undergrad and therefore incapable of understanding curriculum the way they do--I find this prevailing attitude a little immature) that is exactly what they want. Authoritarian control. The education system is built on that structure. Just think about how the typical classroom is situated. The teacher is at the front, and the students have to sit down below them.
Not dissing teachers in any way, my biggest problems have always been with administrators and "experts". I think quite a few teachers would try some wonderful and innovative things if they were given the chance. If it weren't for my seventh grade teacher being one of those, I wouldn't be where I am now.
But since I can go on for days about education, I'll move onto libraries.
Maybe books seem to be an emphasis where you are, but increasingly fewer books are making it into the libraries in my area. When I walk into the door, it closer resembles a video rental place. Is this a good thing? I don't know. Maybe books are becoming a lost art form, which is why they're getting so touchy about it.
I don't think that's the right attitude to have. I'll even go a dangerous step further and stocking the static types of newer media (DVDs, CDs) have less educational potential than something interactive could. But then, this is a system based on the lecture-and-notes structure of learning.
Since someone above me mentioned graphic novels, I have to say the more those get respected, the closer we'll probably get to video games getting respect. I happen to love graphic novels, because it combines the visual with the text.
Funny, how both video games and comic books were forbidden to me when I was a kid. Had to catch up during high school and college. XD I have thoroughly stuck my tongue out at my parents about the "time wasting hobbies" considering I get paid to look into that kind of media now.
I guess the thing that really gets me about the "media hierarchy" is that is forgets that books didn't really become the thing they are now until they became distributed to the public. That things like penny dreadfuls were the types of things that helped make reading more ubiquitous amongst the working class. That fighting the current trend of entertainment is fighting what is and possibly will be art.
It's elitism.
If they, whoever seems to be the people that determine "art" as that changes more often than my hair color, can't control it, then obviously, it's something the "rabble" enjoys.
Even some reality shows can be educational and past the point of exploitation. It's just knowing how to use it and make people reflect.
I also think I've babbled enough, apologies for the unconnectedness and incoherency. This is just what I do first thing in the morning--read my "news" so to speak.
~Cendri