Re: Glass Bees

[Gary Kern <gkern@ucr.campus.mci.net>]

Thomas Friese wrote:
> 
Yes, you may but there are extremely positive possibilities. Richard's
compares Zapparoni's use of media to create works of art with Greek
tragedy's enhancement of the human body and Botticelli's creation of a
new race. A moral judgement of Zapparoni is very difficult. The only
clear aspect is his power - we aren't given a certain picture of the
intentions behind the application of that power. In any case, I haven't
yet perceived aspirations such as these in our film media, Steven
Spielberg, George Lucas, Bill Gates included. Like Aladdin, we have the
all-powerful lamp yet we only satisfy our lowest urges. Perhaps such a
figure will emerge and the human race will be better off for it.
Optimism.
****************************************
So far Spielberg hasn't been too aggressive in pushing his ideas and
cultural pretensions, but he hasn't entirely been pure entertainment. He
joined the cynics who produce "kid pix" proving that all evil comes from
adults--E.T. and BACK TO THE FUTURE.  He proved that he sympathized with
the slavery of blacks--THE COLOR PURPLE.  He also discovered that the
Nazis were bad--SCHINDLER'S LIST.  All this is pretty obvious and not
threatening.  Expect him to do more "serious" films in the future so as
to prove that he is really a cultured man, not a vapid, special-effects
billionaire.

Of course, it doesn't matter much what he does, as far as content is
concerned, so long as he maintains his position as one of the media
moguls, using the media to express his views, contributing to the
formation of a media environment, which sets the subjects, tastes,
attitudes, fashions, etc. for millions of herd animals who themselves
have no access to the media and pay for it by buying the advertised
products.  Even if Spielberg or some other media mogul should produce
something wonderful, make a film that is uplifting and inspiring, he
would not alter the environment one bit, but only keep the audience
enthralled.  I once saw Paddy Chayevsky's movie NETWORK on TV.  The film
is a devastating critique of TV, or so it would seem.  In one bitter
moment the hero says something about a tragedy, "and then it's time for
the commercial."  At that point, indeed, the film switched off to a
commercial, as if to prove that mindless TV had the ultimate power and
could take any criticism thrown at it, even brazenly show the criticism
and make money off of it.  The one-eyed monster rules.

As relates to the GLASS BEES, if you watch American TV or cinema you
will be amazed by the sophistication of technology and the paucity of
substance.  Even the most idiotic commercials are wonders of photography
and special effects.  True, J conceives Zap as something of a Da Vinci,
whereas our media moguls at best have the minds of bright adolescents
and at worst are boorish clods.  Maybe the genius Zapparoni type is yet
to come.  For me that's not a cause for optimism, nor do I think that J.
intended Zap to be perceived that way.  His talents only make him all
the more diabolical.

GK