theory2

Adam Curtis (filmmaker) works for BBC Archive
- Has Access to archival footage and juxtaposes footage with narrative and V.O.
- Criticism of his work: superimpose big narratives, manipulate footage to fit what he wants to say
(fits methods used by subjects he addresses eg propaganda)
- There’s a discrepancy between spoken text, music/sound choice (both diegetic and non diegetic) and the visuals

- In his film, Adam Curtis has an emotional take on history. He methodically shapes a narrative based on his standpoint to make archived content fit.
- The choice of music also makes the viewer feel a certain way / music can really help when setting the tone of a video.
- Every country has different mythology and there is nationalistic narrative of old glory.
- 'The middle class was formed by a fear of danger of below and corruption above. They were able to live an imaginary version (of england) invented by artists, writers and musicians.'
- More conflict resulted from guilt which turned to fear of revenge. Violence is used as protection from (anticipated) revenge. Self inflicted violence (?)
Eg. : Opium in china, the KKK, America and the far east
- Talks a lot about emotions, how citizens are manipulated ~ harnessing emotions
Actions and conflict stem from fear (eg British guilt turned into fear)

Question: Is the world missing a collective imagination? / What would society look like if there was a collective imagination?
Collective imagination is missing: there’s no new ways to be in the world that have not existed before (folklore, tradition)

✿ Text „White Innocence“
- History books can be biased as we like to take on an innocent role. We often only learn what has been done to us rather than what we have done to others. (Eg. the holocaust erasing imperialism)
- We believe what we hear and carry that opinion with us through multiple generations (eg. blaming the germans, children at school calling others nasty names based on their country's history).

On diversity: White People can’t know what it’s like but you can’t put the burden (talk about race and diversity) on POC. Whiteness often isn’t acknowledged (institutions, sports team, teaching teams etc)
White people in roles in institutions (eg in Rotterdam committee for public art)
Someone needs to give up their position to make space for someone more diverse or get more voices/point of views involved

Racism was invented in Europe and exported to us but nowadays the discussion is almost exclusively held about the United States (eg BLM)
We hold certain expectations for people, but this often results in misconceptions: if you’re queer you’re liberal, if you’re a person of colour you can’t be racist etc.

- People are often very nationalistic and take offence when someone doesn't agree with their nation's culture/history. This could be due to the fact that it can be uncomfortable to associate ourselves with negative parts of our heritage as we don't want to seem like bad people.
- It is uncomfortable to realize that something that we once may have enjoyed/took pride in is not what it seemed to be.

* As someone from the country (eg Dutch) you feel offended and accused like you yourself did something ~ take it very personally
They are used to something (eg Zwarte piet) so they might feel attacked because nowadays it is seen as wrong,
but it's something people used to enjoy

Another example of nostalgia: old movies (eg romcoms 90s/2000s: that are now problematic/sexist etc, but we used to enjoy, but now we can see that it is not right -also good to see how are POVs change as we grow and learn!)

Question : Is it not in our best interest to face something we deem as being uncomfortable in order to grow?

- Changing guilt into fear and fear is 'Mental gymnastics' : 'They had to reconstruct everything in order for that system to appear true'.
- Imperialism can result in political & economic power, but 'cultural power' should not be forgotten (eg. watching American news channels, music, film, literature ect.)

Question: Does current exceptionalism find expression in aspirations of global growth?

A cultural archive can be formed by:
- Education
- Religion
- Upbringing
- Desire & sexuality (towards others)
- Expectations & ideologies
- Fiction, cinema, music & art (netflix!)
- stereotypes
- Media & social media
- algorithms

- We are currently at a crossroads in society. We have never been so connected yet so individual. We live in an era where people can finally think for themselves, however, that also leaves possibly too much room for too many opinions (people can think wrong :p)

-'Emotions are natural, the reaction is not' (eg. baby crying and parents reacting) Linked to On Being Certain Podcast: 'there is no way to back track a feeling or thought (or reaction in this case) as they are all influenced by so many things - its a one way street.

✿ Recommendations:
- Socrates (book tip: 'How to Know Everything: Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers')
- Lolita Podcast
- Adam curtis age of self
- Joe rogan & Michael Pollan Coffee podcast