Aim of Page: Discuss Pop Culture in relation to New Media - for example, the relationship between Pop Culture and New Media? ... Also other related topics that you may find relevant.
Mana Bar: What's Your Poison? Real and Virtual?
Two forms of play that many people consume in are video games and alcohol. This has proved to be a 'super effective' mix as proven by Brisbane's first video game bar; the Mana Bar.
"Featuring next generation video game systems available to play 7 days a week with the latest, greatest, and most social games available. You'll even be able to play games before they're released! With unique events every night of the week, exclusive prizes and giveaways, and the ability to buy new games behind the bar as well! The Mana Bar is one of Brisbane's most funky drinking venues, with a unique selection of drinks and custom cocktails on offer."
-- Mana Bar, 2010
When the Mana Bar opened on March 20, 2010 gamers and drinkers lined up with excitement over the fusion of two popular social mediums. This new social arena was founded by four well-known personalities within the gaming world with backgrounds ranging from AustralianGamer.com, Sega Creative Assembly to Zero Punctuation and upcoming television show GameDamage. With their past gaming credibility and fame within this specific world the Mana Bar owners have added more hype and appeal to gamers, not only in Brisbane but all over Australia.
The bar also provides a space for activities people would often consider 'geeky' (aside from video gaming). Mana Bar requires the same dress code as expected from most night clubs and bars, however, they will only allow thongs or shorts only if it is a part of a cosplay attempt (dressing as various gaming or animated characters). Another example is their video game influenced cocktails, an assortment of inside jokes within the gaming community such as the 'Ocarina of Lime' or the 'Finish Him' (Mana Bar, 2010).
With the constant debates about how video games cause unsocial behaviour (see various entries the here) Mana Bar appears to be ending that debate on a positive note, serious gamers participating in 'normal' activities. Although game consoles already provide features to promote social behaviour and interaction, the Mana Bar takes the next step by removing the dividing screen and introducing face to face socialisation. Because of this new space people of similar interests are able to come together in a familiar environment while excersing the world of play through socialisation and video games. One negative perspective of this fusion however, is the combination of the moral panics that video games causes violent behaviour and the chances of violence through the over consumption of alcohol.
"Imma let you finish but..." Famously uttered by singer Kanye West at the 2009 MTV VMAs after interrupting fellow artist Taylor Swift's acceptance speech, the line "Imma let you finish but..." has taken on a life of its own. After discussing the notions of play and collaboration within new media in Week 4, the topic got me thinking about something that has become embedded within our popular culture. What I am referring to are memes. Essentially a meme is an idea or piece of cultural information that propagates and evolves through the masses to become what is basically, a running joke. Depending at how you want to look at it, I believe memes make effective use of the internet and its geography, that is to say you can find almost any meme anywhere on the internet guaranteed, even when not looking for one. Some of the more famous memes to have become part of popular culture and also this generation’s vernacular are Lolcats, rick rolled, downfall (the Hitler meme) and the O RLY owl.
Majority of these memes are funny or can at least produce a smile, to which I am guilty of. What annoys me however is the increasing number of memes that have evolved from absolutely nothing. You could argue that ALL memes evolve from essentially nothing and in many ways that would be correct, what I am referring to specifically are the Boxxy meme and the Peanut Butter Jelly Time meme. In my opinion each are completely and utterly pointless. Stemming from this also come the memes that have grown from completely false and made up situations and people. Most recently for example are Kate’s Party and Dry Erase Girl meme.
Something I think these memes do offer us though, apart from a few laughs is an insight into how gullible people really are and how easily- made and distributed these practical jokes can be.
On the 30th of July, an intruder broke into the Dodson household in Lincoln Park (Hunstville, Alabama) and attempted to rape a woman, Kelly, sleeping inside. Her brother, Antoine Dodson, was interviewed for WAFF-48 News and delivered a passionate warning about the would-be rapist. Most of the people reading this wiki will have seen the video - an estimated 25 million have, at the very least (McCarter, M. 2010). The footage became a huge youtube hit and inspired The Gregory Brothers to create a remix song, dubbed “The Bed Intruder Song”. This remix was popular enough to enter the top 25 iTunes singles of the week (and a number 3 on the RnB Charts), as well as inspire over 2500 separate youtube videos (Gallagher, P. 2010). The song has well and truly entered the mainstream, with a cover by comedian Dane Cook as well as one by various members of Paramore, New Found Glory and Relient K (Montgomery, J. 2010).
The proceeds of this song and its ensuing remixes - as well as official websites (on which advertisers such as British Gas are paying for space) and a paypal donation service to help out the family – have served the Dodsons well (Gallagher, P. 2010). The revenue earned was enough to pay for Dodson and his family to move out of the projects and into a better home (US Magazine Online, 2010).
In a similar event, Christian Bale’s famous freak out on the set of Terminator: Salvation was recorded and turned into a catchy dance remix by music producer Lucian Paine in 2009. The video, named Bale Out, had been viewed over a million times within just a few days of its release, and the song was nominated for three web-based awards (Wikipedia, 2010).
Most of us view internet memes as ridiculous, low-budget entertainment, but Dodson is a good example of going viral and word-of-mouth can generate real income, despite the fact that almost no money originally changed hands – Dodson didn’t spend money to create his product, and none of the consumers were forced to pay to listen or view.
Pop Culture
Aim of Page: Discuss Pop Culture in relation to New Media - for example, the relationship between Pop Culture and New Media? ... Also other related topics that you may find relevant.
Mana Bar: What's Your Poison? Real and Virtual?
Two forms of play that many people consume in are video games and alcohol. This has proved to be a 'super effective' mix as proven by Brisbane's first video game bar; the Mana Bar.
"Featuring next generation video game systems available to play 7 days a week with the latest, greatest, and most social games available. You'll even be able to play games before they're released! With unique events every night of the week, exclusive prizes and giveaways, and the ability to buy new games behind the bar as well! The Mana Bar is one of Brisbane's most funky drinking venues, with a unique selection of drinks and custom cocktails on offer."
-- Mana Bar, 2010
When the Mana Bar opened on March 20, 2010 gamers and drinkers lined up with excitement over the fusion of two popular social mediums. This new social arena was founded by four well-known personalities within the gaming world with backgrounds ranging from AustralianGamer.com, Sega Creative Assembly to Zero Punctuation and upcoming television show GameDamage. With their past gaming credibility and fame within this specific world the Mana Bar owners have added more hype and appeal to gamers, not only in Brisbane but all over Australia.
The bar also provides a space for activities people would often consider 'geeky' (aside from video gaming). Mana Bar requires the same dress code as expected from most night clubs and bars, however, they will only allow thongs or shorts only if it is a part of a cosplay attempt (dressing as various gaming or animated characters). Another example is their video game influenced cocktails, an assortment of inside jokes within the gaming community such as the 'Ocarina of Lime' or the 'Finish Him' (Mana Bar, 2010).
With the constant debates about how video games cause unsocial behaviour (see various entries the here) Mana Bar appears to be ending that debate on a positive note, serious gamers participating in 'normal' activities. Although game consoles already provide features to promote social behaviour and interaction, the Mana Bar takes the next step by removing the dividing screen and introducing face to face socialisation. Because of this new space people of similar interests are able to come together in a familiar environment while excersing the world of play through socialisation and video games. One negative perspective of this fusion however, is the combination of the moral panics that video games causes violent behaviour and the chances of violence through the over consumption of alcohol.
By Jayce Silvallana
REFERENCE:
Mana Bar. 2010. Mana Bar Australian's First Video Game Bar. http://www.manabar.com.au/index.php
Cosplay. 2010. Cosplay. http://www.cosplay.com/
"Imma let you finish but..."
Famously uttered by singer Kanye West at the 2009 MTV VMAs after interrupting fellow artist Taylor Swift's acceptance speech, the line "Imma let you finish but..." has taken on a life of its own. After discussing the notions of play and collaboration within new media in Week 4, the topic got me thinking about something that has become embedded within our popular culture. What I am referring to are memes. Essentially a meme is an idea or piece of cultural information that propagates and evolves through the masses to become what is basically, a running joke. Depending at how you want to look at it, I believe memes make effective use of the internet and its geography, that is to say you can find almost any meme anywhere on the internet guaranteed, even when not looking for one. Some of the more famous memes to have become part of popular culture and also this generation’s vernacular are Lolcats, rick rolled, downfall (the Hitler meme) and the O RLY owl.
Majority of these memes are funny or can at least produce a smile, to which I am guilty of. What annoys me however is the increasing number of memes that have evolved from absolutely nothing. You could argue that ALL memes evolve from essentially nothing and in many ways that would be correct, what I am referring to specifically are the Boxxy meme and the Peanut Butter Jelly Time meme. In my opinion each are completely and utterly pointless. Stemming from this also come the memes that have grown from completely false and made up situations and people. Most recently for example are Kate’s Party and Dry Erase Girl meme.
Something I think these memes do offer us though, apart from a few laughs is an insight into how gullible people really are and how easily- made and distributed these practical jokes can be.
- Lauren Young
Reference List-
LaPointe, G. n.d. What is a Meme? http://thedailymeme.com/what-is-a-meme/ (accessed August 13, 2010).
Rocketboom. n.d. Know Your Meme. http://knowyourmeme.com/ (accessed August 13, 2010).
Money-Making Memes
On the 30th of July, an intruder broke into the Dodson household in Lincoln Park (Hunstville, Alabama) and attempted to rape a woman, Kelly, sleeping inside. Her brother, Antoine Dodson, was interviewed for WAFF-48 News and delivered a passionate warning about the would-be rapist. Most of the people reading this wiki will have seen the video - an estimated 25 million have, at the very least (McCarter, M. 2010). The footage became a huge youtube hit and inspired The Gregory Brothers to create a remix song, dubbed “The Bed Intruder Song”. This remix was popular enough to enter the top 25 iTunes singles of the week (and a number 3 on the RnB Charts), as well as inspire over 2500 separate youtube videos (Gallagher, P. 2010). The song has well and truly entered the mainstream, with a cover by comedian Dane Cook as well as one by various members of Paramore, New Found Glory and Relient K (Montgomery, J. 2010).
The proceeds of this song and its ensuing remixes - as well as official websites (on which advertisers such as British Gas are paying for space) and a paypal donation service to help out the family – have served the Dodsons well (Gallagher, P. 2010). The revenue earned was enough to pay for Dodson and his family to move out of the projects and into a better home (US Magazine Online, 2010).
In a similar event, Christian Bale’s famous freak out on the set of Terminator: Salvation was recorded and turned into a catchy dance remix by music producer Lucian Paine in 2009. The video, named Bale Out, had been viewed over a million times within just a few days of its release, and the song was nominated for three web-based awards (Wikipedia, 2010).
Most of us view internet memes as ridiculous, low-budget entertainment, but Dodson is a good example of going viral and word-of-mouth can generate real income, despite the fact that almost no money originally changed hands – Dodson didn’t spend money to create his product, and none of the consumers were forced to pay to listen or view.
References
Gallagher, P. 2010. Antoine Dodson: from local news item to internet sensation. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/15/antoine-dodson-internet-sensation (Accessed September 10, 2010).
McCarter, M. 2010. Antoine Dodson's on a roll - run and tell that!. The Huntsville Times. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/08/antoine_dodson_internet_sensat.html (Accessed September 10, 2010)
Montgomery, J. 2010. Hayley Williams Channels Viral Video Star Antoine Dodson On 'Bed Intruder'. MTV online. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1646551/20100826/paramore.jhtml (Accessed September 10, 2010).
US Magazine, 2010. "Bed Intruder" Singer Moves Family Into New Home. US Magazine. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/bed-intruder-singer-moves-family-into-new-home-2010169 (Accessed September 10, 2010).
Wikipedia, 2010. Bale Out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bale_Out (Accessed September 10, 2010).
Samantha Oldham
Fashion