In Beverly J. Jones’ paper Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins, she delves into the deep history of computer graphics and the way that their origins relate to many modern cultural phenomena. Her knowledge behind the history of computer graphics is quite extensive and impressive. Her thesis was clearly stated at the beginning, “By reviewing specific works and what appear to be underlying conditions and assumptions that shaped these works, I hope to establish the relation of specific image, object, event or environment to conceptual frames.” However, it took me finishing the paper to truly understand what she meant by this. Later in the paper Jones stresses the importance of interdisciplinary work and the effect that a person can have precisely because they lack an in-depth knowledge of typical practices in a particular field. This was expressed when she stated, “The potential for widespread and multiple uses of microcomputers by the general public was suggested as late as 1978 at the Second West Coast Computer Faire. Several engineers and programmers were amused because of the impossibility of there being ‘that many programmers.'” (p. 21). Then again when she wrote, “This view suffers from an optimism born of ignorance of the constraints of cultural maintenance and change, particularly the social and economic context of origins and practices.” (p.23). One of the cultural historical examples she provides is, “Examples from other media illustrate cultural tendencies to cast developing forms of material and symbolic culture in previous modes. The stone columns of ancient Egyptian architecture were based on earlier bound papyrus columns.” (p. 21)
Though it is fiction, I view the base of the film Forest Gump to be analogous to the message Jones is trying to convey here. For those unfamiliar with the film, Forest Gump is a character who is so dimwitted he is frequently unable to understand when an impossible task is before him. Because of this, he tackles every problem wholeheartedly. This ties into the TED talk with Jane Mcdonigal, where she states that one of the amazing things about World of Warcraft is that players are presented with difficult tasks that are still achievable and, in fact, perfectly suited to their current level. If we believe that a positive outcome is possible, we are more likely to invest maximum effort. It appears that the slogan of innovators might as well be, “With enough ignorance, anything is possible!”
Bibliography
Forest Gump [Motion picture]. (1995). Paramount Pictures.
Jane McGonigal (Recorded at TED2010, February 2010 in Long Beach, CA. Duration: 20:04)