Century of the Self: Pyschoanalysis and videogame collecting

[Skykid]

Century of the Self is surely one of the most important documentaries of all time, if you haven't seen it you should do so straight away. You'll learn a lot about yourself and the fabricated society we live in.

It is beyond belief how hard the corporate world worked to find a method of perpetual consumerism, and mind-boggling at how brilliant they are at it.

I had seen the first episode before (about Bernays) and already done a lot of reading on lifestyle and value marketing through the decades, but the thoroughness of the documentary's study into the origins of mass social control through both politics and consumerism is quite something. To think that Sigmund Freud is inadvertently responsible for the advertising campaigns of Swarovski or GAP is quite a thing.

One thing I ended up doing after watching the series was asking myself how duped I am by lifestyle marketing. I always tended to think that I was great at vehemently ignoring (and hating) modern marketing, but then why do I only drink in one chain of coffee shop or value a certain brand of electronics above another?

Also, is collecting products of the past - videogames or otherwise - the same as modern consumerism, or something different? I know as a games collector I surround myself with objects from my childhood because they bring me a sense of well-being even if they're out of sight in a cupboard.

Is this the same as lifestyle and value marketing? Since videogames are based on experiences, and collecting tends to mean you spend money on after-market products and don't fuel modern business so much, I'm not sure if the two are intrinsically entwined.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble. This documentary could easily be examined at essay length, so once again if you haven't watched it, do so asap.

[blackoak]

I love those Adam Curtis documentaries. His other series are good too: "The Power of Nightmares" and "The Trap." In many ways I think "The Trap" goes even deeper than Century of the Self.

[RGC]

Collecting is denying mortality. Hope your rainy day never comes.

[Jockel]

Consumerism is the new religion for the people of the 21st century.
It's one of the few things that makes you happy, and that's because you were brought up with it.

[Skykid]

Collecting is denying mortality. Hope your rainy day never comes.

That's an interesting take on it.

Consumerism is the new religion for the people of the 21st century.

It certainly is, although not a religion followed out of choice. It's a manufactured system that appeals to people's docile subconscious desires. It's pretty shocking at how perfect a system it is. For example, people will spend their income on music (using the term loosely) because it promotes a lifestyle of hot bitches and gold chains that they subconsciously feel an affinity with, but can never obtain. It's not the quality of the music, but the ideology promoted by the lyrics and video that makes them subconsciously feel as though the music itself has value, when it's clearly nothing but gutter trash.

One thing that interested me about the documentary is how prolific the profession of psychoanalysis was in America during the 50's and has been ever since. It made me think about the differences between the English and American cultures. I always feel English people are reserved to a fault, and have an inability to be expressive or to show affection in the same way Americans do unless liberated by alcohol, which either becomes hugs and kisses or a display of wanton pent up violence and frustration. To us, the old Hollywood adage "I love you too" is cringe-worthy, but is that because we're all emotionally stunted individuals? Psychoanalytical therapy does exist in the UK of course, but not as far as I'm aware, so rampantly. People here spend a lot of time in their own heads, which is a terrible affliction.

I wonder if a history of psychoanalysis has made America an emotionally freer, more liberated people? It certainly seems that way from an outsider perspective.

I love those Adam Curtis documentaries. His other series are good too: "The Power of Nightmares" and "The Trap." In many ways I think "The Trap" goes even deeper than Century of the Self.

Getting them now, thanks.

[Vamos]

Adam curtis docus are amazing , All watched over by machines of loving grace was my favourite i think .

[rancor]

I wonder if a history of psychoanalysis has made America an emotionally freer, more liberated people? It certainly seems that way from an outsider perspective.

..And it certainly feels that way as an American living amongst 150 million emotionally stunted people...
Interesting take on the English though.. I had no idea. I always took it as east vs. west.

[Skykid]

I wonder if a history of psychoanalysis has made America an emotionally freer, more liberated people? It certainly seems that way from an outsider perspective.

..And it certainly feels that way as an American living amongst 150 million emotionally stunted people...
Interesting take on the English though.. I had no idea. I always took it as east vs. west.

Lol, well then it must just be an outsider perspective.

Seriously, that documentary really makes you think... about everything, so I was just theorising that a history of mainstream pyscho analysis may have had an impact on society. According to the film, changing society for the better was the ultimate goal of the practicing analysts, so there you go.

[moh]

Collecting is denying mortality. Hope your rainy day never comes.

I don't quite understand..

mind explaining for my tiny brain?

[Randorama]

Off topic a bit, but I'd suggest to watch the other documentaries by Adam Curtis, too.

I do think that he tends to push his position too much, though. Well, what I believe to be his positions. the trap left me quite perplexed.

If I understood it correctly, it presented Game theory as a designed to prove that all humans are selfish. To me, it sounds wrong, as the mathematical theory itself may model such behaviours, but can't certainly prove that those are the exclusive behavioural patterns of humans.

The new All Watched... gave a similar feeling. I must say that the Century of the Self strikes me as too focused on Freud and his legacy.

The rise of Cognitive Psychology gave another incredible boost to scientific consumerism, since it allowed to understand how to manipulate desires, needs and goals in more detailed. There's basically no mention of these aspects. Not that it invalidates any of the discussion and data presented in the documentaries.



Overall, though, they are excellent and informative works. They can be easily found on google video, too.

[Skykid]

Collecting is denying mortality. Hope your rainy day never comes.

I don't quite understand..

mind explaining for my tiny brain?

In the sense that you can't take it with you when you die, so ultimately it's a pointless pursuit/waste of money.

[xbl0x180]

I wonder if a history of psychoanalysis has made America an emotionally freer, more liberated people? It certainly seems that way from an outsider perspective.

..And it certainly feels that way as an American living amongst 150 million emotionally stunted people...
Interesting take on the English though.. I had no idea. I always took it as east vs. west.

As a foreigner living in the U.S., it may appear that people here are "emotionally freer" and are "more liberated," but most of what I've experienced are people who are really superficial, materialistic, and steeped in hypocrisy. When it comes to people from other countries, including England, one thing I've gauged is how genuine they seem to me through their actions towards others

[moh]

Collecting is denying mortality. Hope your rainy day never comes.

I don't quite understand..

mind explaining for my tiny brain?

In the sense that you can't take it with you when you die, so ultimately it's a pointless pursuit/waste of money.

hm...well that is one way to look at it, but you cant take anything with you when you die. that doesn't mean you cant enjoy it while it lasts!
I mean, isnt that the whole point of collecting? to just enjoy what you have?
that's why i collect, and i have a great time =]

[xbl0x180]

The money spent on collecting stuff would've probably gone a lot farther spent on experiencing life, preferrably with loved ones and friends. It's cliche, but we'd probably never hear a person say on their death bed they wish they woulda bought this-or-that thing

[drauch]

Eh, I think this is obviously a subjective thing. I'm kinda the opposite in a way. I sometimes regret going out of the house and seeing people or doing things because I usually don't enjoy myself; instead I wasted this time when I could have enjoyed my hobbies and gained knowledge relating to such. I dunno, I find such a thing as indulging in what I love much more satisfying. I find that people forget you over time and that most humans are largely forgettable over time. It's a waste in my eyes. I still regret not purchasing or attaining certain items from almost a decade ago. I guess I'm kinda gross.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Psychoanalysis and consumptionism are yesterday's news. Now poverty is all the rage.
Poverty gaming for the win.

[NTSC-J]

I wonder if a history of psychoanalysis has made America an emotionally freer, more liberated people? It certainly seems that way from an outsider perspective.

..And it certainly feels that way as an American living amongst 150 million emotionally stunted people...
Interesting take on the English though.. I had no idea. I always took it as east vs. west.

As a foreigner living in the U.S., it may appear that people here are "emotionally freer" and are "more liberated," but most of what I've experienced are people who are really superficial, materialistic, and steeped in hypocrisy.

Yea, I think this "emotional freedom" is more like rampant narcissism. To the current generation of Americans, they've grown up with the idea that "the world is yours, take it" which turns into fuck other people, I'll say what's on my mind, and if you don't like it, fuck your mom, it's what I want and need right now.

I can't take that energy and had to get out, hence my expatriation. I'll take my nation of passive-aggressive, emotionally-stunted boys living in old men's bodies that feel castrated by their mom's and hate women, thank you very much.

[xbl0x180]

It's funny, but I spent almost half my life in the U.S. planning to leave. I was so close to that I could almost feel it. When those plans fell through, I literally had noone and nowhere else to go. Nowadays, I take respite in a little bit of money... and the things it buys

[RGC]

Collecting is denying mortality. Hope your rainy day never comes.

I don't quite understand..

mind explaining for my tiny brain?

As was implied above, a way of extending yourself as much as possible into physical reality, so you'll have more to anchor you to that reality in the face of (thoughts about/) things that threaten your existence. That, plus some basic hard-wiring that predisposes towards it (I guess, stockpiling things of use/value in preparation for harder times, not to mention some social winky-waving). Most people seem to be guilty of collecting in one form or another.

(NB. Naturally, I'd been drinking when I wrote that earlier statement)

[cools]

I did have a lengthy reply typed out but upon review it was far too self-congratulatory and preachy...

But in summary - like any addictions, these you can kick. Fortunately these are painless and just require you to make a conscious decision and get mad at them. Once you can give everything you're loyal to at least one rational (rather than emotional) reason for the loyalty, consider yourself cured

[Acid King]

It's cliche, but we'd probably never hear a person say on their death bed they wish they woulda bought this-or-that thing

Nah, but there are probably a lot of people that don't regret spending their lives hanging out at home with friends and family enjoying the books, music, movies or video games they collected.

[hail good sir]

gate

[Skykid]

Psychoanalysis and consumptionism are yesterday's news. Now poverty is all the rage.

Ha ha, true, but consumptionism and especially materialism still live on relatively unperturbed. Even if one doesn't have the money per se, materialism is a programmed trait that defines most people.

In January China axed a mass number of reality TV shows. They had something like 140 shows, and brought it down to 40 - still far more than we have in the UK and they seem to be on every channel at the moment.

They said they axed the shows due to their materialistic values. Best call they've made since joining the global economy in my book, although it still boggles the mind that a country can still be rich without dumbing down its people into a nation of spendthrift automatons. Try telling that to the corporate psycho analysts.

I'll take my nation of passive-aggressive, emotionally-stunted boys living in old men's bodies that feel castrated by their mom's and hate women, thank you very much.

Lol, that's sig worthy!

Regarding US folk appearing more liberated, it's a superficial assumption of course. I don't live there, it's just an outward perception that they tend to speak more freely about how they feel about something. At the same time I also don't think they're critical enough and far too malleable as a collective, and that's most certainly down to the slavery of commercialism.

Point is no matter how smart you think you are, there's always someone out there who got their hooks in you

True words. I think a general awareness of how the system works and being able to recognise a sale of lifestyle above product does help you to keep your head above water though.

[xbl0x180]

It's cliche, but we'd probably never hear a person say on their death bed they wish they woulda bought this-or-that thing

Nah, but there are probably a lot of people that don't regret spending their lives hanging out at home with friends and family enjoying the books, music, movies or video games they collected.

It'd be interesting to know how many people here collect video games and video game paraphernalia for that purpose; there are some peeps here who are married and/or have kids, after all. Oddly enough, I don't consider expenses pertaining to spending time with family and friends as "materialistic" - I don't take those people into account in my example

[CMoon]

Off topic a bit, but I'd suggest to watch the other documentaries by Adam Curtis, too.

I do think that he tends to push his position too much, though. Well, what I believe to be his positions. the trap left me quite perplexed.

So far I've been happiest with Power of Nightmares. It is maybe the least bent on eschewing a particular philosophy and instead recapping a large chunk of our recent history--one that won't be coming to students textbooks anytime soon.

[Skykid]

It's cliche, but we'd probably never hear a person say on their death bed they wish they woulda bought this-or-that thing

Nah, but there are probably a lot of people that don't regret spending their lives hanging out at home with friends and family enjoying the books, music, movies or video games they collected.

It'd be interesting to know how many people here collect video games and video game paraphernalia for that purpose; there are some peeps here who are married and/or have kids, after all. Oddly enough, I don't consider expenses pertaining to spending time with family and friends as "materialistic" - I don't take those people into account in my example

I dunno, I don't really think about VG collecting hobbies as materialistic, although at a base level it is. It's the acquisition of material goods that you feel you need for a sense of well-being. That's not really any different from girl A buying a Prada handbag because it has the name Prada on it, or welfare guy B buying a Little Wayne album because it promotes a gangster culture lifestyle he wants to feel part of.

Whether we like it or not, we've all been programmed to hold some value in material possessions, the only difference is if I buy game X from you on the trading forum, you get my money, I get my game, and the original manufacturer gets zip.

That's a kind of anti-consumerism.

[Acid King]

It'd be interesting to know how many people here collect video games and video game paraphernalia for that purpose; there are some peeps here who are married and/or have kids, after all.

I'm pretty sure most people here buy video games for the purpose of playing them.

[ZacharyB]

I think it's familial or social in origin. For example, my father buys Pellegrino sparkling water by the case. There's a bottle on my desk now. In the future, given a choice between sparkling waters, I would now probably choose a Pellegrino bottle, because it's relevant to my family. Even though I've never met anyone from the "house of Pellegrino", my family becomes united under their auspices. The name comes to mean my own family.

Then there's the wish fulfillment... where the product becomes representative of the family the person wants to become a part of. Like the gangsta rap lifestyle Skykid mentioned.

I do have to say that I prefer this kind of lifestyle-by-proxy to actually ignoring everyone and conquering the world... our species was there already, thousands of years ago. What's coming next? Will corporations eventually start to act like governments? If they form a powerful enough network and attain enough empathy to throw away the "power for power's sake" model, something really incredible might happen to our society. It might already be moving in that direction, what with the way first world countries are spending money on technological gadgets--money which then spurs further competition and innovation.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Collecting is denying mortality. Hope your rainy day never comes.

I don't quite understand..

mind explaining for my tiny brain?

In the sense that you can't take it with you when you die, so ultimately it's a pointless pursuit/waste of money.

At a hobby shop that I used to patronize back in the late 1980s, I saw a bumper stick that read:

"He who dies with the most toys, wins!"

Some folks on their deathbed have expressed regret not having spent more time with loved ones/close friends and saying "I love you" to them. They also never mention about all the materialistic stuff that they've acquired over the years as that is trivial.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[xbl0x180]

It'd be interesting to know how many people here collect video games and video game paraphernalia for that purpose; there are some peeps here who are married and/or have kids, after all.

I'm pretty sure most people here buy video games for the purpose of playing them.

Obviously.

I meant, buying video games and video game paraphernalia for the purpose of sharing/experiencing/playing them with family and friends... preferrably in the same living quarters