“If We Throw Our Voices Will They Follow?”: How space bias and oral media are used in Pontypool
Question #2:
The vector of infection of the language virus in Pontypool is an example of space bias media. As the virus lives through the English language, the transmission of information via speech is instantaneous. It quickly intensifies through radio, telephones, and electronic amplification as people use these media forms to communicate with and be communicated to. Grant Mazzy's radio broadcast acts as a vehicle for transmission and increases the reach and ability to disseminate information rapidly to a potentially large audience. Thus, the virus expands its space and listening range through radio dissemination but collapses time as its goal is to spread information quickly and keep the audience updated on new developments as they become available, as opposed to being preserved in time. Furthermore, radio, telephone, and electronic amplification sustain and strengthen the virus by giving it more potential for transmission through oral communication. Without these mediums, the virus would spread at a much slower rate as word-of-mouth would take longer to travel to places and people. Therefore, the virus is a form of space-biased media and the sociotechnical affordances of radio, telephone, and electronic amplification aid in its infection rate.
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteNice post! I liked your analysis of the language virus in Pontypool and it's demonstration of how space-biased media facilitates rapid information transmission. The role of radio enhanced the virus's spread. How do you think the language virus in Pontypool would spread differently if it were communicated through social media instead of radio? Would there be a difference?
Hey Emma! I like what you said about how the virus is an example of space bias. There are definitely many different ways information is transmitted in the film like through telephone, radio, electronic amplification and just voices in general. I agree that without those mediums that you said that the virus would be transmitted at a slower rate. Do you think that the film shows an aspect of time bias as well? Or just space bias?
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see your view of space bias in Pontypool. We see Grant Mazzy use radio broadcast as a way to spread information and communicate with the public. I liked your explanation of the use radio, telephone and electric application as a way for the virus to spread and giving an easier for to infect people. I agree that this virus would have spread at a slower rate if these technologies were not involved.
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