Humans Flashcards
Genre
science fiction repeated ideologies: what it means to be human & warnings about a contemp society.
Although these are repeated throughout all sci-fi products, genre is dynamic
Context: Hybridity
science fiction and soap opera (family issues and domestic themes)
ML&R: Postmodernism
(Baudrillard)
synths are simulacra- adopt trad social norms but also surpass humans in physicality and arguably emotional capability. what is ‘human’ if the human simulacrum shows more empathy, respect and understanding
hyperrealting in technology blurs boundaries between what is ‘alive’ and what can ‘feel’
questions raised about technology surpassing humanity as the dominant race
ideological fears about technology in modern society
ML&R: Narratology
new equilibrium has ideological singifncae.
the digetic news interview turning to non-diegetic voice over asks key questions based on binary oppositions
vitally, There are no resolutions or conclusions offered.
ML&R: Semioitics
two orders of significance:
Humans examines the myths of gender that are socially constructed.
this brings about fem perspectives on society as synths are a contradiction.
There is a dicrouse in the role of women and wether gender roles are sustainable.
Formatting
based on the Swedish sci-fi ‘Real Humans’
Funding
Co-produced by Chanel 4, PSB and AMC (USA- subsidiary of Disney)
C4 first international co-production.
cost of production are shared= higher budgets and prod values. Helps PSB like C4 make quality dramas that may not otherwise get made.
Marketting
fake ads for synths under brand “Persona Synthetics; and mock store front on Regents Street
Cultural Industries and Genre
genre is used to format products in ways which make them more appealing. audiences attracted by repetition and variations (Neale). that producers ‘sell’ their products.
adopting sci-fi conventions achieves this, and preening new viewpoints on a contemporary issues further engages audiences
structuralism
synths vs humans
technology vs no technology
human vs imhuman
feminist theory bell hooks
argues feminism is a struggle to end patriarchal oppression and ideology of domination
primary user’ man
fulfils expressive role
fields—> man prostitute–> woman
Gender performativity
identifies gender as nothing but a performance
social constructionism
humans–> anti needed to do domestic work
Opening sequence
Genre repetition and variation: begins with Anita being wheeled into the science lab, typically you would associate a science lab with an experiment going wrong and failing. Furthermore, her being bought on by a scientist conveys how we still have control over technology, however may begin to lose control as it continues to develop rapidly. Secondly, there is a montage of broadcasts and science experiments, binary opposites of what is real VS what is not, bringing these issues into modern society and how they have/will continue to effect society.
Raising issues within a contemporary society
24.43-25.30
In this scene, Anita is doing the household chores, she is doing laundry, collecting clothes into the washing basket and asking the family if they have any washing. This presents Anita to be fulfilling the stereotypical ‘housewife’ role, with her main concerns being domestic work. This raises issues with contemporary society as it presents very conservative attitudes towards the position of women and what role they should conform to. This juxtaposes later on in the episode, when the synth ‘Fred’ is shown to be doing physical, labour, playing the typical masculine role, compared to Anita being female and placed into this position within society.
PM society
Postmodern society
34-35.40m
Niska has a pain button, showing how she is able to feel pain and emotion. “I was meant to feel”, supporting the argument of ‘simulacra’ as robots are able to feel emotions like humans, slowly making them undistinguishable as robots. This links to with hyperreality as robots have all the traits that humans have, as well as being more physically and mentally advanced.
24.43-25.30m
Anita dodges a bullet, builds on hyperreality as it shows how her reactions are quicker then humans, therefore having skills that humans do not. Links to simulacra, she pushes the gun down, showing an emotional response but also lack of fear.
