The Society of the Cyberspace
The Polish edition of The Revolution of Everyday Life by Raoul Vaneigem has just arrived. Along with Debord’s The Society of the Spectacle it is one of the key works of the Situationist Movement. Polish readers had to wait a long time for this publication (the French original appeared in 1967). Now, after thirty seven years, it might be rewarding to read the work together with the latest Kultura Popularna, which features Steven Best and Douglas Kellner’s analysis Debord, Cybersituations, and the Interactive Spectacle. Knowledge of the basic concerns of the Situationist International and the intellectual climate of the 1960s might be in order - Best and Kellner take up these issues and, after a few decades, attempt to verify several theses of the Revolution of Everyday Life. Those, however, who do not wish to explore neither the Revolution of Everyday Life nor the Society of the Spectacle may read the article as it is. Before going on to further analyses, the authors discuss the major theses of the situationists and basic concepts associated with the spectacle.
Best and Kellner, as it is pointed out in a note accompanying the text, have originally published the article in a special, Debordian edition of SubStance magazine. The text has been printed five years ago; one might wonder if it is still up to date, especially in the contemporary world, with the incredible pace of life and changes so quick one hardly notices them happening. This debate is, however, only beginning to take place in Poland. It is not long since we have been given the opportunity to test the “delightful” joys of consumerism. The text may serve as a warning, but, at the same time, after reading it one might conclude that our present situation bears some signs of improvement and a break away from the dependence in which we have until now functioned. What makes the present situation different from that described by Debord is a possibility of interaction with the world. The article speaks of an interactive spectacle, in which everyone can be more active thanks to new interactive technologies, multimedia and the virtual reality, which allow for greater participation, though not without ambivalence and precise restrictions. This ambivalence and restrictions - according to Best and Kellner – begin after one realizes that the interactive spectacle is not free of manipulation and submission of the spectacle’s participants, while a cybersituaton may seem more creative and dynamic. “May”, as the authors of the article adopt a reserved approach. Kellner and Best use the terms “cybersituation” and “interactive spectacle” to set two central points of reference allowing to navigate in the multi-shaded (and not black-and-white) area of contemporary culture.
The authors do not define the cybersituation and the interactive spectacle precisely, even though they sometimes alternate these terms. Still, one may assume that the word “cybersituation” is used generally for describing positive aspects of the present phase of the spectacle, that is referring to positive opportunities given to the participants of the spectacle - modern technologies and the Internet. Those who find themselves in a cybersituation become active creators of their environment; those taking part in an interactive spectacle are usually subjected to manipulation. The promises of interactive television, inviting us to shape the programme and express our view by sending SMS messages is just another step towards subjecting the viewers rather than allowing them to express themselves.
It is not easy to grasp all the chances and dangers brought by modern technologies and the Internet. All attempts to describe the present situation amount to finding terms for what is happening around us. Best and Kellner declare that the cyberspace should be neither demonised as an area of alienation and dehumanisation nor cheered as the ultimate solution for democracy and creative activity. Within it, one may find both cybersituations and the corporate interactive spectacles.
One should, then, leave the TV set alone and sit in front of the computer screen instead; connect to the Web and think what to do. Best and Kellner believe in the potential of cybersituations for developing one’s interests, realising one’s goals and propagating alternative forms of culture. This form of activity is available also for those whose voice is neglected in the public debate. Voicing their concerns in this way undoubtedly helps strenthen democracy. The Internet is also a channel for those unwilling to participate in the mainstream of culture, who would nevertheless wish to express their own views. Thus an alternative cultural space is being created. Soon, perhaps, it will gain enough power and consolidation to shape our reality. Not only the virtual one.
Agnieszka Kozłowska
Translated by Marta Malina Moraczewska
Discussed journals: Kultura Popularna