http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vpmuMHor6Q (Balance 1989)
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1943957 (CollegeHumor video-posted in an earlier blog)
This video, called Balance, represents today's selfishness and greed that exists within our society. It's quite creepy, but very philosophical and relevant to our discussions. The figures standing upon the board floating in vast and endless space represents mankind on Earth. They begin to "fish" for something in the seemingly bottomless area, trying to get some change in their lives. As one of them finally catches something, all the others become curious, and begin to slowly fill with greed. They develop desires for the new and mysterious item that the original possesses. As the video continues, each person becomes mystified and drawn in by the music coming from the box. Whenever one of the figures steps away to retrieve the box, the one who is listening holds onto it for dear life, not wanting to let go. This represents the fact that once humans are introduced to something new and exciting, it is extremely difficult, almost impossible in some cases, to let it go. This is related to the CollegeHumor video I posted earlier (posted above). Both show what we need is the new trend, whatever it may be. Yet, as one person receives the innovation, everyone else seems to see the side effects that the product may have on the person, and the world. So they try to balance it out, until one of them gives in to try out the fad as well. Finally, near 5:15, one of the figures steps forwards instead of backwards, basically going against the crowd and suggesting the idea that if all of them can't experience the music, no one can. He tries to get rid of the box, but ends up failing and getting pushed off. One of the figures becomes overcome with greed and sits on the box, declaring it his. In the end, the people who were trying to keep more balance in their world fell off, leaving the avarice-filled man with the box. The last scene struck me the most, because this is what our society is turning into. Those filled with selfishness will end up alone with nothing if balance is not restored to our world.
This short film is definitely a warning that our nation should hear. The music box can really represent any technology. As you said, the greedy men win. Unfortunately, our world moves on in a spiral and we lose our balance with each technology added in. Something I think is very important is the paradoxical ending. Not only, as you said, was he an avaricious man left with his box, but he was unable to experience it. To maintain the balance of the world, that lonely man had to sacrifice the one thing he lives for. Perhaps this implies that in the end greed will be defeated on its own because somehow the greedy will not get what he/she wants. Perhaps somehow we are so imbalanced that someday those greedy few responsible must rescue us. Perhaps in that case they will be too late to save the lost world.
ReplyDelete~Jill Castellano
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ReplyDeleteThis clip reminded me of the myth: Pandora's Box. The box in this film contains similar evils such as greed, envy, hate, etc. The haunting music emanating from the box entices the individuals just as the presence and beauty of her box attracted Pandora. It is interesting how all of the men are identical and are only distinguishable by the numbers on their backs. Perhaps, this is suggesting that humans are all the same. We are all flawed, for we all possess the same ugly tendencies (to acquire wealth, to betray others). These tendencies turn into actions when the figures begin to eliminate their competition by physically fighting with each other. The sense of unity that they shared in the beginning is lost as they ruthlessly destroy one another for the box. In addition, all the men willingly give in to their desire for the box by brushing it off, winding it up, and sitting on it. Thus, it is not just one flawed person who muddles the morals of our society; we all play a part in corrupting our world. In the end, one man is left alone. However, he cannot reach the box because he must continue to maintain balance and harmony. Stability in our society can only be achieved if all individuals lack the possession of these evils.
ReplyDeleteGoing off what Jill had said when she was refering to the ending of greed I tend to agree that greed only ends when there is nothing left to consume. It is akin to wildfire, a horrendous blaze that destroys all in its path leaving nothing untouched. It looks beautiful, gives off light and heat yet when unmanaged becomes a tempest, a power of destruction.
ReplyDeleteThe other aspect I wanted to mention was that the creater was very clever in the use of color. At the beginning of the video, everything is in shades of gray. However, as the video continues, we find out that the box is in fact a different color. Furthermore, it is only once the color is seen that the others are overcome by their greed and begin to openly covet the box. This reminded me of the California gold rush because like the men trying to obtain the box, the people who movede out to California started out coming slowly then increased in number as word got out that there was gold. Just like in the video however very little was gained, unless you qualify diseases, overcrowding, low wages, and a substantial decrease in natural resources a good thing.
Wow. Interesting video. The first thing I noticed in the beginning is the numbers on the back of the coats. What do these numbers represent? Also, it is interesting how the characters are all wearing the same outfits (or uniforms?). When I noticed the surroundings of these five figures: uncertain,infinite and baron fog, I realized that this is also representative of humans and their surroundings today. As Americans, we are always searching for more, especially in the technological field. Maybe we are being too avaricious in this constant search?
ReplyDeleteThe ending reminds me of the the final scene of The Social Network, Zuckerberg found what he needed: an "anti-social"-friendly way of living. Likewise, the character had what wanted in the end however was clearly was not worth it. What do these two examples show about human desires? Do the ends of getting what we want justify the means?
This video is bringing the idea that if one person jumps off a bridge then everyone else will too. Each person follows the other, they are mindless creatures that do not think for them, much like our society is becoming. This box holds what we think we are searching for it holds everything desirable in our lives. We do not need the box and in results in our downfall yet we would rather die trying then give up an unrelistic dream.
ReplyDeleteBoth videos are very interesting and really show the innate human quality of wanting the next best thing. Balance shows just how far some people are willing to go to get it. He kicked all of his friends off of the "world" because they were competing with him for the box. But once he got rid of all of his 'friends' and had the box to himself he couldn't truly posses it-just look at it. In the beginning they were all cooperating with each other but once the lust after the box took over, there was distention among them. This is the dark side of consumerism--if you don't have it, steal it. College Humor humorously shows how society is product driven and wanting the next... Like in Nicole Talbie's these videos illustrate the endless cycle of consumption without need.
ReplyDeleteThis video had a lot of powerful symbolism throughout, my favorite element of it for sure though was the way the director depicted the downward spiral the characters took because of their greed. At first their attempts to gain possession of the box are very civil and non-aggressive, but as time goes on, the characters become more aggressive and desperate. Soon they resort to fighting, and eventually, knocking one another off the edge of the platform. This depicts how greed can drive us to progressively worse and more violent measures. Another thing I liked about the video was the final image, of the one remaining man on the opposite corner of the platform from the box. The man can't ever get to the box, if he steps forward then the box will fall off the edge, but if he steps backwards, he will fall of the edge. While this man has killed all of his friends in order to be in sole possession of this box, he is left in a position in which it is impossible for him to use it.
ReplyDelete