Narrative Collapse and Present Shock

For linear, traditional storytelling to work, according to Rushkoff, the audience must be a captive one (25). Today our entertainment is interactive. “Perhaps more than any postmodern idea or media educator, the remote control changed the way we related to television” (Rushkoff 26) and “Deconstructed in this fashion, television loses its ability to tell stories over time. It's as if the linear narrative structure had been so misused and abused by television’s incompetent or manipulative storytellers that it simply stopped working, particularly on younger people who were raised in the more interactive media environment and equipped with defensive technologies. And so the content of television, and the greater popular culture it leads, adapted to the new situation” (Rushkoff 25).

Rushkoff’s observations will continue to resonate in this course in our second semester as we examine the move from modernism to postmodernism, and read and evaluate works of experimental fiction. Postmodern stories in many ways represent a departure from traditional linear storytelling. Rushkoff cites examples such as The Simpsons and Mystery Science Theater 3000. Identify an example of a show, movie, web series, etc. which has abandoned the traditional narrative structure. Discuss the ways in which this work echoes both Rushkoff’s ideas and reflect our presentist cultural ethos.

Specs: 650 word minimum. Use at least two quotes from Present Shock and cite. Due Wednesday 10/28 11:00 am. 

Respond to at least one class member by 10/29 11:00 am.