CS400U Blog Post 2- Emily Kogan
In this blog post, I will be responding to the second prompt.
In Pontypool, the language virus can be understood through Harold Innis' concepts of time-biased and space-biased media. Time-biased media prioritize the preservation of culture and ideas across generations, often rooted in tradition and rituals, while space-biased media focus on rapid dissemination across distances. The spoken word in Pontypool, which serves as the vector of infection, is an example of space-biased media. The virus spreads quickly through oral communication, facilitated by modern technology like radio, telephone, and public address systems, emphasizing the virus’s ability to travel across distances rather than enduring over time.
The role of media like radio and telephones in the film highlights their connection to secondary orality, a form of spoken communication mediated by technology. While these tools allow for the real-time transmission of speech, similar to oral traditions, they also amplify and extend it far beyond immediate, face-to-face communication. This reliance on electronic amplification makes the spoken word more vulnerable to manipulation and rapid spread, as seen in the film.
Ultimately, Pontypool shows how contemporary media forms, while rooted in the ancient practice of oral communication, have become powerful tools for spreading messages (or infections) across vast spaces. The virus's dependence on these technologies reflects the shift toward space-biased media in our modern, interconnected world.
Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned how in Pontypool, the spoken word is more susceptible to manipulation due to the use of radios, telephones, and electronic amplification, which is a good point that I have left out of my analysis. These media affordances are aiding in the spread of the infection rate unknowingly to people, as Grant Mazzy and his team are able to connect to other radio stations, translate government communications, and accept calls from civilians, thus spreading the virus through the English language. Overall, I think this emphasizes one benefit of time-biased media, as it is more difficult to manipulate or misunderstand information etched on stone tablets or hand-copied manuscripts.
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Emma
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteThe virus is a great example of space-biased media since it spreads quickly through oral communication and modern technology like radio. Your point about secondary orality is particularly interesting—while technology allows us to transmit speech in real time, it also makes the spoken word more susceptible to manipulation and rapid spread. Pontypool really emphasizes how today's media can amplify communication, turning it into a powerful force for both connection and, as in this case, contagion. Great work!