In week 7, we decided to investigate one reading, as well as one movie. Our first choice was ‘’ How to be “Team Human” in the digital future ‘‘, which was also accessible as a Ted talk and discussed the connection between humans and technology. Douglas Rushkoff wonders if humans are still valued for their creativity or just their data. He describes how data and social media exist for the sake of predicting our future. Additionally, social media is the opposite of connecting and mainly just influences us. It suppresses creativity, which is in fact what makes humans human. Rushkoff mentions how important it is not to leave our real-life community behind and that we require platforms that promote creativity, and to have a space that we feel like we do not need to escape from. We need to start to become more human again and find others. We need to stop thinking that only humans are the problem when in fact in his opinion technology is the problem. He points out that only humans can collaborate and communicate, and that no one can replace that. Douglas also proposes that even some super-powerful people actually see themselves as powerless when it comes to the future. They are scared of war and want to use the money to get away from normal humans.
In our opinion, the problem of technology that Douglas Rushkoff mentions reminds us of climate change and its issues. People are aware of the issue and do not stop even though they know the way they contribute to the environment is bad. Most people prioritize money and short-term satisfaction, and often don’t think about the long term. Our group agreed that Douglas is probably too optimistic about team human and the rejection of technology. Indeed it makes it harder to connect these days, but digital items are still helpful tools and we can think of ways how to reduce them without totally destroying them. In addition, not all humans are bad and contribute to misusage. Even CEOs of normal companies are good people and have good intentions. There are in fact only a few big people that are major polluters on our planet and who are responsible for contributing to the most polluting aspect of our planet. We also questioned how to put boundaries on technology and where do you draw the line? Mostly we also thought that the video and script of the Ted talk were very broad in terms of information. There were many problems listed, but only a few solutions. We also agreed no matter what someone creates, it will be misused by people as technology is everything in our world. When history teaches us one thing, it is that new inventions are always misused by some people (good and bad coexist). The team’s opinion was that technology is not the problem, but us. All in all more research would have been supportive for the video and what he shared, which was far too speculative in our eyes. Our second choice from the list was the movie ‘’The devil wears Prada’’. We chose to reflect on the movie since it is more than just about fashion and actually about capitalism, pressure, and morality in the workspace. The main character in the movie is forced to change herself in her workspace and tries to adapt to society. Even though she is not being treated well, she believes this is how to fight for a better career. She always could leave the place but thinks she needs to feel pain in order to be in a better place in the future. This change of her personality starts to affect her personal life with time. Nevertheless, colleagues at work just tell her to take the mistreatment and swallow it. When the team discussed the movie, we mentioned that in the current world, it is almost the opposite, as now more people start to defend themselves and speak up, which makes bosses more cautious. Someone in the group also brought up the point that sometimes a difficult work environment makes people stronger and can develop character. The movie comprises topics like identity and how much people are willing to do to achieve their goals. The whole power dynamic to thrive in a competition that drives success is a capitalist structure that will still exist in the future. We also agreed that Andrea finding her identity through the job is better than being lost.
Certainly, the movie is also a mainstream portrayal of fashion. If we look at the current-day circumstances in which models or people speak up, it can be clearly also identified that some brands are cautious to hire them in a way, since they are afraid themselves that they are being placed in a bad position. Situations in the work environment are changing and we can see how traditional companies are being rejected by many. Circumstances in the workplace are changing and more equality for women is beginning to exist.
Towards the end, we also brought in our own experience of how we felt in certain work environments within fashion, and it was totally mixed. It also proved that fashion does not need to be in an environment in which you feel uncomfortable.
Finally, we questioned how it would be perceived if the movie was released today. Would Anna Wintour (one of the characters that is being portrayed in the movie but under a different name) be affected by it in this day and age?
