fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the lesser known truths in the geek universe.
Reality TV Gone to the Extreme?
Part I: Message of the Episode Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror is an anthropology series from the United Kingdom that touches on people’s everyday use of technology, and how it can or has shaped us in the 21st century. While many episodes do a good job portraying their stories and characters by having them come face to face with the situation often revolved around technology, there is one episode in particular that stands out because of its grim environment and how writer Charlie Brooker, and director Cal Tibbetts, utilize the public space, media, and technology to create a setting that is fueled with hatred, retribution, and obsession with reality television. The episode, White Bear, follows a simple plot: a young woman named Victoria awakens in a disordered house with her hands tied to a chair, and has no memory of what happened nor who she is exactly. From there she joins another woman to reach an area known as “White Bear,” that is supposed to bring an “end” to what is going on, while also being hunt down by masked killers and surrounded by bystanders recording everything on their phones instead of helping out the main characters. What is interesting about this episode is the fact that the public space is set up like a reality show where the public can come together and discuss as well as punish Victoria for recording and killing a young child not too long ago. Because of this she is forced to watch news reports about the murder, paraded in a glass case as the audience call her out as a “murderer,” and be strapped down on the same chair she found herself in earlier, and given a headset that produces shock therapy before reliving the same frightening scenario she endured throughout this episode.
By Karen Chapero7 years ago in Geeks
The Undoing Of Sebastian Swan
The rain fell and the rain fell and it showed no sign of stopping. In the small English village of Eastwoods they were used to the rain, indeed they were suited to it. The pumpkin crop had never looked better but things were starting to get out of hand. It had been more than a week now with no sign of letting up and it seemed it would not be long before the river burst its banks. The elders of the village looked forward to having new tales to tell about the great October floods. Such was life in a village where nothing much of intrigue ever seemed to happen.
By India Hendrie7 years ago in Geeks
Slavery, Class Warfare, and Hegemony
If you watched Game of Thrones’ episode, “Book of the Stranger” and have some notion of history and politics, you may have noticed a few crazy and familiar things being played out in the lands of Westeros and Essos. Things that author GRRM and showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss have certainly and purposefully introduced to reflect the history of our own real life non-magical dragon having society. It’s well documented that GRRM was inspired by historical events when he set out to create the conflicts of Westeros, namely England’s 15th century War of the Roses, and that the inspiration of The Wall was found on his trip to Northern England to visit Hadrian’s Wall. Other elements of the ASOIF universe are obvious: Westeros is feudalistic Europe, with the North subbing as the rough, grey highlands of Northern England and / or Scotland / Ireland, the South as a proper and civilized land of bounty (King’s Landing is most reminiscent of a shit stinking medieval London), and then Dorne serving as a the stereotypical Latin hot tempered and lusty Spain (or even Mexico if you like). It’s also no coincidence that the ongoing Dornish feud with the Crown in the books and show resembles Queen Elizabeth I’s constant warring and peacing with Spain early in her reign.
By Nicolas Brown7 years ago in Geeks
Overwatch - And the Books, Movies, and Games That Inspired It
Overwatch remains one of the most popular video games in recent memories. A team-based first-person shooter, Blizzard's most recent intellectual property has entertained gamers worldwide with its colorful cast of characters, in-depth gameplay, and regular updates to keep the game fresh and interesting.
By Anthony Gramuglia7 years ago in Geeks
'Steven Universe' Fan Theories That Might Actually Be True
If there has been one recent cartoon that has gotten major applause for creating rich storylines filled with lore, it has to be Steven Universe. Through its incredible four seasons, the show has slowly unraveled a fascinating story featuring a war over planet Earth, aliens seeking revenge for the death of a mysterious gem known as "Pink Diamond," and terrifying weapons capable of destroying the planet as we know it.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart7 years ago in Geeks
The History of Anne Bonney and Mary Read
As closely as historians can determine, the story of Anne Bonney and Mary Read started in an English port town in the 1680s when a comely, "young and airy" sea wife gave birth to a robust baby girl. The mother's joy was marred by the somewhat glaring fact that her husband had been away at sea for more than two years. But she displayed a kind of ghoulish resourcefulness in dealing with the problem. Her legitimate baby son had recently died, and rather than report the death to kin, she dressed young Mary in the boy's clothes and hoped that no one would notice the deception.
By Frank White7 years ago in Geeks
My Unlucky Stars
You might be asking, how did this kid find himself holding his breath and hiding under that car? And if you did, the only answer I'd have to give is a heaping of stupidity washed over with a lightly baked sauce of bad ideas. So let me rewind and take you back to the beginning, or what I now call, the cradle of folly, or as some would say metal shop.
By Rod Christiansen7 years ago in Geeks
LEGIONS OF MUTANTS
By @KurtChristenson When X-Men debuted back in 1963, the original concept of mutants was a metaphor for the Civil Rights Movement, with Professor X preaching the peaceful integration of Martin Luther King Jr., versus the radical idealism of Magneto’s Brotherhood of (Evil) Mutants and Muslim Human Rights Activist Malcolm X. Coming out as a mutant was a great equalizer as anyone, of any race or religion, of any nationality, could be one and we could overcome those differences by embracing our individual genetic uniqueness.
By Kurt Christenson7 years ago in Geeks
Top Ten Classic Comic Batman Trivia Tidbits
There’ve been so many iterations of the Dark Knight detective we aren’t sure who the guy under the hood is at his core. But the best way to know for sure is to do a little sleuthing ourselves, and trace back his mysterious roots!
By Matt Cates7 years ago in Geeks