Week 1 – Unlecture and Tutorial

Following our first ‘Unlecture,’ Networked Media is presented to us in metaphorical form, part of what is explained to us as a ‘speculative curriculum’. This is my first introduction to speculative writing and media making and I’m not really sure what to make of it yet. I hope I will get more of a feel for it over the next few weeks. It seems like quite an abstract notion to me at the moment.

Adrian Miles writes:

“Something a bit unkempt, even dishevelled. Smart, a lot – too many – of ideas. A sea indeed of ideas. An ocean of ideas. And there’s networked media. A boat. Certainly not a big one. Doesn’t really have a sail but there is some sort of mast to pin something on, against, to. Or a motor. Not adrift. It bobs, floats, weaves. Seeks and follows eddies of the breeze, currents, a wave. Sometimes it gets blown and washed around, other times darting along with deliberate intent revelling in its boat knowledge of breeze, current, wave. There is no shore. Not at least to be seen. Anywhere. All ocean, and because it is all water one place is as well as close enough, or further away, than any other. Each wave is different. Different enough to have a difference, a difference that matters. This gives this ocean contour, currents, eddies and tides. You dip an oar, seeking something over there, enjoying the whirl and whorl of water around the oar.”

At first my mind jumps to Ang Lee’s Life of Pi promo poster.

With further consideration, it seems this subject is perhaps about taking risks, being creative and independent whilst still following what seems to be fairly loose guidelines to set tasks. The ‘shore’ (our goal or artifacts perhaps?) is not yet seen but will come organically as we navigate our way through the semester, find our strengths and weaknesses and learn the skills that will enable us to be creative.

Perhaps not too dissimilarly to Life of Pi, it seems this subject will be an adventure…