I found that of Moulthrop’s works, I preferred Pax to Hejirascope. I liked the freedom of choice that both offered in terms of the player’s clicks determining the narrative, however I felt that because Hejirascope was all text, it seemed less personal and connected. I liked that there were people in Pax, even if those people were simulations, they were simulations with names and sentiments (even if they are created) so it was easier for me to become more involved in the text. I also liked the fact that Pax had a sense of closure, that the screen began darkening to warn the viewer that the text was changing (like when you know you only have 20 pages left of the book you are reading, so the ending must be coming up soon) and then the screen announced the “end of the world, please insert token to continue.” This pairing of seriousness and playfulness can trigger the player to reflect on the situations he considers to be real but may in fact be simulations.
Moving on to the Poster article, one thing that I found was the discussion of the role of electronic writing. He says “electronic writing also subverts the culture of print.” It is true that electronic writing allows for easier access to the information (who can complain about the ease of accessing scholarly articles online). However, I still find it necessary to print electronic texts so as to have the writing in my hands and be able to mark it so that I know what I deemed to be important. When we were given this reading assignment, for example, the article was available via online sources so we did not even need to go to the library. Yet we were instructed to print out the article so that we can have it in front of us, with our notes and annotations. I wonder if the need for printed material will lessen as new generations become accustomed to electronic texts.
One part of the Baudriallard article that captured my attention was his discussion about work, that people work because they feel that they have to but the “scenario of work is there to conceal the fact that the work-real, the production of work-real, has disappeared.” This makes me think Office Space where the main character has a job in business but ultimately is not producing anything worthwhile, he sits in a cube with other cube-dwellers and doesn’t ponder the implications of it until he is forced to come to terms with that missing part of himself. The main character is happy at the end of the movie as a construction worker, because he is actually producing a tangible good and can immediately see the effects of his efforts. Office Space is popular because it is funny but because it also strikes a nerve and people are aware on some level that their work may not be as “real” as they would like for it to be.