Cartoons and Anime as Resistance

It is interesting that we have to question the use of cartoon and anime as tools of resistance since they have been important vectors of social criticism since the appearance of 'the press' as an institution. What has really changed over the past few decades is 1) the methods of distribution of those cartoons and social caricatures, 2) the spectrum of opinion that can be expressed and distributed en masse and 3) community-building possibilities.

In the 19th century and in the pre-Internet 20th century, cartoons had to be approved by a publisher to be mass distributed. Individuals could prepare photocopies on their own, but distribution was always a function of one's financial means and established network of distribution. Caricatures and cartoons, as such, were often the tools of the wealthy, and as such, were often elitist and represented the interests of the educated and well-to-do. In a few words, they were by necessity products of mass culture. They could be critical of the establishment, of politicians, of international or economic policies, but they were seldom used in subversive ways (see note at bottom for a more nuanced claim... ;).

However, with the Internet, the situation has changed, and cartoons can take part in resistance to mass culture. Firstly, almost anyone can design cartoons and put them online. With minimal skills at programming, distribution can be done through spam, or from mailing lists. Word-of-mouth has become exponential, as one can send a cartoon to hundreds of people in a few clicks.

Secondly, the variety of points of view and of methods employed to propagate messages has become multimedia. Cartoons and anime use a combination of music, voice, and animation to shock the reader. Jibjab.com, for example, makes political propaganda using songs, transforming political leaders into straight-forward, loud-mouthed pop-singers. illwillpress.com uses a critical and politically incorrect character, Foamy the Squirrel, to send subversive messages about the globalized, capitalist and over-sexualized world we live, using satirical parodies. Strongbad, on homestarrunner.com, offers a critical stance on technology and its influence on people.

What is amazing about these three website is that they are all part of a counter culture, of a critical movement, while at the same time avoiding to send any 'standardized', unique message. They seem to all have different 'politically-correct' boundaries that they are (not) willing to cross.

As such, they target different audiences, audiences that are however unanimously seen as subversive and critical of mass culture. I think it would be to reduce their message to see their audience as passive recipients. What does cartoons seem to assume is that their audience is a critical, curious and diverse crowd that want to get another vision of current events than that presented through mass media.

This brings us to the third important departure point from printed press cartoons afforded by the Internet: community building. Because of the different possibilities for self editing (blogs and website) and as communication with strangers is easier than ever through email and comments, people can develop a community of interest around producers/creators of content for resistance. Fans of Foamy the Squirrel can buy all kinds of paraphernalia online to support its creators, for example. They can reference the site. Send their friends over. `Create a buzz' and make Foamy a cultural icon of resistance.

Trying to use the critical theory language of Adorno, we could say that mass culture disseminated through a wide diversity of vectors creates a response that can then be resisted online and turned into popular culture... until mass culture takes control of the new pop culture and turn it into a marketable commodity, causing further resistance, etc. This is a half-vicious/half-virtuous circle of interaction between pop and mass culture.
;)

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Note:
I wrote earlier that cartoons in the 19th century ``could be critical of the establishment, of politicians, of international or economic policies, but they were seldom used in subversive ways'', which is not necessarily true when we think of mainstream thought movements like Marxism or workers unions. However, I am referring in this blog entry mostly to fringe resistance, not international movements.

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Also... Done! I am done with the paper! Yesssss!
I sent it out to Stefan for his comments. He should get back to me soon, and I can make the final adjustments before the paper is due, on Thursday.

paper on the way

Even if it has become harder to work on my school stuff since I heard from Stanford, I am really enjoying my paper on India and distance education. I feel like I am getting somewhere, even with a literature review, and like this is really crucial stuff for me to look at for my PhD.

Looking at how 'locals' see the importance of education for economic development complements the work I have done before studying what the outsiders generally think. The discourse is similar, although the urgency seems to be really FELT by the locals, who actually care about the national development of their mother land.

I have 8 pages written, almost all my notes taken, and only a few more readings to do - 2 or 3 I guess. I will bring my first two sections to Prof. C. Friday to get some feedback on my grammar.

Good stuff!

de la broue dans le toupet

Ouf!
Je suis à bout de souffle!

Since I've heard about my admission to UCLA, I've been unable to catch my breath. Now I am relaxing, since I've heard from Stanford, and confirmed my acceptation there, into the ICE Ph.D. Yippee!

Now, I've been working like a madwoman on the Wondering Women website. It is finally looking okay... we have a domain name... I just need to get the comments from the other girls on the project, and we are ready to launch it! Azam suggested a press release... I wonder if I will feel like it is good enough.

My paper is going well. It is almost written. Again, I feel like I am learning a lot. This knowledge will be put to use in my Ph.D. Great.

;)