David Cronenberg and the New Media

"Videodrome" tells the tale of an embedded signal in an underground "snuff" channel that creates a mutation of the brain and thus the alteration of reality; "the new flesh". Probably not a good thing. In a nod to Niel Postman's book, "Amusing Ourselves To Death", Cronenberg postulates that it really isn't the violence on the screen that does the damage, it is the screen itself that is taking away our humanity. Watch it if you have a chance.

"eXistenz" is the story of the "demon goddess" Alegra Geller who develops the ultimate interactive, virtual reality gaming system. The only thing on the line is your sanity and maybe your life. Cronenberg returns to form in this story of technology gone mad. Both films are great speculations on the futrue of media and the decay of society.