Blog Post 2- Laura Dufour
Question 2:
I think the vector of infection of the language virus in
Pontypool is an example of space bias. In the film, the radio station receives
news and updates from different sources across the town. The employees at the
radio station never leave the building but know what is happening outside due
to information being relayed to them through telecommunication immediately as events are unfolding in the town. Information in the film mostly stays within a small local range, but when news of the virus travels furthers, they get a
call from BBC all the way in Europe. This exemplifies the idea of space bias as
it shows how information travels across various distances and shows the
immediacy of the dissemination of information.
The radio, telephone and electronic amplification are forms
of contemporary orality. They still use spoken language to communicate
information. In the film, they use the electronic amplification system to get
their message out fast to try and help save the people infected by the virus. They
use technology to communicate on a larger scale rather than just word of mouth
which makes it a contemporary form of orality.
Hi Laura! I agree that the “language virus” in Pontypool reflects space bias, especially with how the characters use radio and telecommunication to stay informed without leaving the station. The call from the BBC highlights just how far the virus can spread, showing the power of media to quickly share information across distances.
ReplyDeleteI also like your point about radio, telephone, and electronic amplification as contemporary forms of orality. These technologies still rely on spoken language allowing the virus to spread rapidly in the film.
Do you think the spread of the virus in Pontypool would have been as effective if it relied solely on face-to-face communication instead of modern technologies like radio and telephones?