Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id UAA22838 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 3 May 2001 20:10:47 +0100 Message-ID: <001701c0d409$bb4c2e20$1f9cbed4@default> From: "Kenneth Van Oost" <Kenneth.Van.Oost@village.uunet.be> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> References: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745E20@inchna.stir.ac.uk> Subject: Re: Is Suicide Contagious? A Case Study in Applied Memetics Date: Thu, 3 May 2001 21:45:42 +0200 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2314.1300 Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Hi Vincent, you wrote,
> I don't mean to over simplify your comments here, in this response, but
I'm
> a bit pushed for time, and I think it deserves a response.
<< Thanks anyway to give it thought ! You and I we are in the same
boat, and next week it will be worse... for me anyway !!
> The second, again touching on what you say, is what if such a question is
> irrelevant, since memetic (or other) characteristics of certain kinds of
> practices are more engaging and compelling than others. The problem may
be that to try and adopt those apparently engaging aspects in those forms
> losing out, may undermine their initial aims, or simply not work in that
> context. For example, glossy, sound-bite news programmes, styled like
> game-shows may (or may not) attract audiences, but do they undermine the
> purposes of news.
<< Yes of course, the same can be said about the female news reporter,
in Russia I believe who undressed herself during broadcasting to get an
audience. IMO, the value of the news will be weakened or lost, but on the
other hand it could be that fractions of the stuff slips thru ' due to
another
level of consciousness.
But yes it would undermine the purpose of news...
What would be the impact if the context of the picture ' Network '
wherein Albert Finney plays a reporter who wants to commit suicide
as the show wherein he stars is ' live ' on TV would become reality !?
What woud be the impact if such event really took place !?
Lets say, Terry Wogan anounces that he, after the next blooper, will
kill himself... I wonder if the audience would not see it as a joke...!?
Or, do you remerber, that guy who killed himself with a shotgun ' live '
on USA- TV after he was endlessly pursued by the police !?
The problematc of suicide was for a while a hot topic, but it faded away.
IMO, if you are not directly involved, or you don't identify yourself with
an actor or with the character he or she plays, you won 't explore the
issues raised.
On the other hand, direct involment, like those policemen who chased
the poor guy, is not a reason either... I think.
Policemen, in a way, and others, have to stay out of people's lives.
Involment would lead to misjudgements and a more partial approach.
You won 't get any sleep...
And for the ' fanzines '.
Don 't know any here in Belgium, never seen one and never heard that
anyone was talking about one!!
What I well know is that a few years ago that some actors of the soap
' Neighbours ' paid a visit to their fans over here. But that was one night
event.
But the number of fans who came to that gathering was enormous.
What seems to indicate IMO that actors or the character they play
do have some influence.
But like I said, it is maybe merely a question of identification and invol-
ment.
PS, Vincent, you mentioned some study works on soaps, including
gender stuff, any references !? Thanks !!
Best,
Kenneth
( I am, because we are) just that Jazz
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