HyperNormalisation (2016)
Written and Directed by Adam Curtis
Before the infamous 2004 tsunami hit Phi Phi Island in Thailand, there was a kind of an eerie silence. The shoreline receded and thousands of fishes were washed ashore. The cockle collectors had a windfall. Everyone was in a quandary on the bizarre turns of events. Then it hit them, the towering waves and destruction.
That is what is happening in our world. Many strange and damaging thinks are happening right before our eyes. Our leaders are telling us that everything is okay and it is business as usual or rather life goes on. However, everybody knows it is not alright but still nobody wants to do anything because things are too complicated. This, in simpler terms, is the essence of the meaning of the word 'hyper normalisation', a term coined by a Russian writer (Alexei Yurchak in 2006 book, 'Everything was Forever, Until it was No More: The Last Soviet Generation') referring to the time during Soviet Russia when everything was not right but everyone was given the impression that everything was hunky dory when it was not. The collapse, it was crystal clear and inevitable. Everyone knew but nobody would and could do anything about it.
In Curtis' normal hypnotising narration and documentary making techniques, he tries to make sense of current political climate we are in. He, in his conspiracy theorists' manner, tells us that that Man is stuck with this method of administration even though it is not the best where other ways have failed and how many of our manoeuvres have blown right in our faces, giving just the opposite of the intended desire.
The real world is complicated and our leaders have made it simpler for us, maybe far too simple to stay in power.
Although presented in nine somewhat disjointed parts, the whole narration may make sense at the end. In 1975, when New York City was having a crisis in its administration, it was soon realised that what it needs was not political leaders who would make policies but bankers who could provide finances. Money was needed to rule the world, not ideologies. Radical minded social reformers who used to dictate the scene during the times when factories workers and unions controlled their bosses, being out of money, fled to indulge in appreciation of abstract arts and music.
Over on the other side of the globe, in Damascus, Hafez al-Assad was trying to splurge Americans out of Middle East. Unfortunately, things only got worse with the Lebanon War in 1982. That is when Syria's liaison with Iran brought together Shia freedom fighters Hezbollah and Hamas, Palestinian freedom fighters. Their modus operandi of using suicide bombers, which by all accounts, is not sanctioned by Islam, seem to be the turning point. Americans left Syria in a huff in 1984 with their tails between their hind legs due to 'paralysis caused by the complexity of the situation'. It is funny this same life-saver has come to haunt Syria once again, now Arab solidarity and Syria is in shambles.
Here, again political intervention by Henry Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy proved futile. His plan was to create constructive ambiguity to destabilise the Middle East to keep each other in check without solving the real issue at hand.
Libya's cartoonish leader Colonel Gaddafi became the lame dog accused of all of the atrocities around the world. Even though the Lockerbie downing of PanAm flight and other bombings were done by Syria, according to intelligence sources, Gaddafi did not mind being branded as the villain. He like the fear factor. Americans knew that attacking Syria is too risky. Hence, Libya was bombed instead.
With the advent of technology and creation of cyberspace, many things happened. People toyed the idea that perhaps the collection of data of Man, their likes and dislikes could be used to predict their predictability. The technocrats thought, maybe, science could be used to improve chances of winning bets, gambling and making money. It proved not successful. What it created was a group of narcissistic people, who found pleasure in trivialities and create an artificial environment to reinforce their self-reassurance. They heard and saw what they wanted to hear and see. It became a tool of perception management.
Many sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects became a common occurrence. There was talk that these were nothing more than the Army's attempt at developing stealth and more advanced killing machines. People became more distrustful of their leaders. This is when social media became a device to gather people against a common enemy - their Government. Demonstrations started the world over- the Arab Springs, the Tahrir Square and Occupy Movement. Even the cyberspace was good at getting together for a single cause, the upheaval did not progress. There was no future long term plan. The public loss of confidence in those in power is the main reason for the unexpected turn of events in Brexit and Donald Trump's appointment as the President of USA.
Written and Directed by Adam Curtis
Before the infamous 2004 tsunami hit Phi Phi Island in Thailand, there was a kind of an eerie silence. The shoreline receded and thousands of fishes were washed ashore. The cockle collectors had a windfall. Everyone was in a quandary on the bizarre turns of events. Then it hit them, the towering waves and destruction.
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| www.spectator.co.uk |
In Curtis' normal hypnotising narration and documentary making techniques, he tries to make sense of current political climate we are in. He, in his conspiracy theorists' manner, tells us that that Man is stuck with this method of administration even though it is not the best where other ways have failed and how many of our manoeuvres have blown right in our faces, giving just the opposite of the intended desire.
The real world is complicated and our leaders have made it simpler for us, maybe far too simple to stay in power.
Although presented in nine somewhat disjointed parts, the whole narration may make sense at the end. In 1975, when New York City was having a crisis in its administration, it was soon realised that what it needs was not political leaders who would make policies but bankers who could provide finances. Money was needed to rule the world, not ideologies. Radical minded social reformers who used to dictate the scene during the times when factories workers and unions controlled their bosses, being out of money, fled to indulge in appreciation of abstract arts and music.
Over on the other side of the globe, in Damascus, Hafez al-Assad was trying to splurge Americans out of Middle East. Unfortunately, things only got worse with the Lebanon War in 1982. That is when Syria's liaison with Iran brought together Shia freedom fighters Hezbollah and Hamas, Palestinian freedom fighters. Their modus operandi of using suicide bombers, which by all accounts, is not sanctioned by Islam, seem to be the turning point. Americans left Syria in a huff in 1984 with their tails between their hind legs due to 'paralysis caused by the complexity of the situation'. It is funny this same life-saver has come to haunt Syria once again, now Arab solidarity and Syria is in shambles.
Here, again political intervention by Henry Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy proved futile. His plan was to create constructive ambiguity to destabilise the Middle East to keep each other in check without solving the real issue at hand.
Libya's cartoonish leader Colonel Gaddafi became the lame dog accused of all of the atrocities around the world. Even though the Lockerbie downing of PanAm flight and other bombings were done by Syria, according to intelligence sources, Gaddafi did not mind being branded as the villain. He like the fear factor. Americans knew that attacking Syria is too risky. Hence, Libya was bombed instead.
With the advent of technology and creation of cyberspace, many things happened. People toyed the idea that perhaps the collection of data of Man, their likes and dislikes could be used to predict their predictability. The technocrats thought, maybe, science could be used to improve chances of winning bets, gambling and making money. It proved not successful. What it created was a group of narcissistic people, who found pleasure in trivialities and create an artificial environment to reinforce their self-reassurance. They heard and saw what they wanted to hear and see. It became a tool of perception management.
Many sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects became a common occurrence. There was talk that these were nothing more than the Army's attempt at developing stealth and more advanced killing machines. People became more distrustful of their leaders. This is when social media became a device to gather people against a common enemy - their Government. Demonstrations started the world over- the Arab Springs, the Tahrir Square and Occupy Movement. Even the cyberspace was good at getting together for a single cause, the upheaval did not progress. There was no future long term plan. The public loss of confidence in those in power is the main reason for the unexpected turn of events in Brexit and Donald Trump's appointment as the President of USA.
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