Topic: Adam Curtis - New Stuff

[sadnesstan]

He claims, rightly, that they provided logistical support to him and the mujahideen during the Russian intervention of Afghanistan.  And claims, rightly, that al-Qaeda, was an overblown narrative for the reasons in the previous post.  In fairness, he's actually literally right to say we created 'al-qaeda' as bin Laden only ever started to use the term after 9/11 after realising that's what we've decided to call them.  What, nearly 2 decades after his group formed?

I'm not saying he's not right in the things he says, I wonder why HE says them, through the BBC, whilst the BBC itself seems reluctant to say them, that's all.

[sadnesstan]

The question is, when it comes to conspiracies do you trust an expert on conspiracies?

[Lotus]

He claims, rightly, that they provided logistical support to him and the mujahideen during the Russian intervention of Afghanistan.  And claims, rightly, that al-Qaeda, was an overblown narrative for the reasons in the previous post.  In fairness, he's actually literally right to say we created 'al-qaeda' as bin Laden only ever started to use the term after 9/11 after realising that's what we've decided to call them.  What, nearly 2 decades after his group formed? 

Dude, would love to hang out with you. Could talk all night!

Have to meet up one day at one of these NO events. Give each other ear ache

[BlufPurdi]

Because I can recite Adam Curtis documentaries word for word?  

But aye, I'd love any chance to get away from home at the moment! You're as good an excuse as any. 

[r0cafella]

I've been re watching Pandora's box and it's fascinating how the same old tactics of evoking old fictional narratives have come to play in the Brexit debate we see today. Exactly the same tactics are being used all these years later.

Hopefully his next documentary is on Brexit.

[BlufPurdi]

Some new s*** out.

[kingkerouac]

http://www.jonathan-cook.net/blog/2016-10-19/adam-curtis-another-manager-of-perceptions/

Brilliant blog. In so many ways it smashes it out of the park. The notion of Curtis as modern day prophet is as dangerously deluded as it is ill informed.

Not to be too deep, but in Bitter Lake, I'm sure a lot of people were appraised to the fact that the industrial turmoil of the 70s was caused not so much by Unions, as the tripling of oil prices overnight by the House of Saud.
The right have been using the narrative against unions for 50 years, based on a fallacy.
So, in that respect - as a journalist - he is fulfilling his role.

[ElDiablo]

Great timing, just the tonic for my fatalistic pessimism.

[sadnesstan]

http://www.jonathan-cook.net/blog/2016-10-19/adam-curtis-another-manager-of-perceptions/

Brilliant blog. In so many ways it smashes it out of the park. The notion of Curtis as modern day prophet is as dangerously deluded as it is ill informed.

Not to be too deep, but in Bitter Lake, I'm sure a lot of people were appraised to the fact that the industrial turmoil of the 70s was caused not so much by Unions, as the tripling of oil prices overnight by the House of Saud.
The right have been using the narrative against unions for 50 years, based on a fallacy.
So, in that respect - as a journalist - he is fulfilling his role.

Would have been helpful if he'd reported it 50 years ago, like.

[Lotus]

Some new s*** out.

What? Where??

[rickyprickles]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p093x1c1/cant-get-you-out-of-my-head-series-1-6-part-six-are-we-pigeon-or-are-we-dancer

[kingkerouac]

http://www.jonathan-cook.net/blog/2016-10-19/adam-curtis-another-manager-of-perceptions/

Brilliant blog. In so many ways it smashes it out of the park. The notion of Curtis as modern day prophet is as dangerously deluded as it is ill informed.

Not to be too deep, but in Bitter Lake, I'm sure a lot of people were appraised to the fact that the industrial turmoil of the 70s was caused not so much by Unions, as the tripling of oil prices overnight by the House of Saud.
The right have been using the narrative against unions for 50 years, based on a fallacy.
So, in that respect - as a journalist - he is fulfilling his role.

Would have been helpful if he'd reported it 50 years ago, like.

I presume it was initially reported, but then the UK press saw an opportunity to switch the blame onto unions, and of course, the rest is history...

[BlufPurdi]

Of course it was, stan just trying to be smart.

[sadnesstan]

Of course it was, stan just trying to be smart.

I was actually trying to draw attention to blatant hypocrisy, without calling him a hypocrite, as I've no other reason to think he is one.

[kingkerouac]

Of course it was, stan just trying to be smart.

I was actually trying to draw attention to blatant hypocrisy, without calling him a hypocrite, as I've no other reason to think he is one.

Eh?

[r0cafella]

So. What did everyone think of this?

[BlufPurdi]

Hard to really get stuck into the now, with it being part 1 of 6. It's more along the lines of Power of Nightmares than Bitter Lake/Hypernormalisation.

[r0cafella]

Hard to really get stuck into the now, with it being part 1 of 6. It's more along the lines of Power of Nightmares than Bitter Lake/Hypernormalisation.

All the parts are on YouTube. Haven’t they all been released on the BBC?

[BlufPurdi]

:O

[BlufPurdi]

See you tomorrow:

[r0cafella]

Haha enjoy my friend

[Wullie]

Yeah they're all on iPlayer. I confess I have never watched anything by Adam Curtis despite good intentions for years.

[BlufPurdi]

Some of the stuff is really good, Wullie. Would start with Power of Nightmares, as relevant today, what with the rise of ISIS, as it was twenty years ago.

[Infinitely Content]

I've been meaning to check out more of his stuff. I have to admit, I've been put off by the prophetisation of him I see around, it feels a bit unnecessarily heady. He seems more like a (clearly highly intelligent) BBC journalist making stylish films to me. Loves using Burial though, so I've got time for him 

I've watched HyperNormalisation, any other must sees? Bitter Lake seems to get a lot of mention?

I've tried watching interviews with him but he's tough to listen to as he reminds me of my old school head teacher. Never a good referential link. A little uptight and holier-than-thou.

[BlufPurdi]

All the old ones basically. The new ones are good, but they're also not quite the format that made his name.