Winchester Flooding.

River Itchen Bursts Its Banks. #WinchesterFloods

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BioShock Infinite In Regards To Religion

The third of a five part series. This essay aims to explore the correlation between nihilism and religion within the world of BioShock Infinite. 

Socialism; “The harder this de-alienation of work tries to escape from the idealization of ‘artistic’ production, the more it must define itself.” (22)

Descartes; “aesthetic consciousness’ may be recuperated as an experience of truth precisely insofar as this experience is substantially nihilistic.” (114)

A floating city in the sky, idealistically “the city of dreams” forms the basis of the franchises 2013 installment. Much like its predecessors, destination ‘Columbia’ is a city in revolt, violently called for by revolutionary Daisy Fitzroy; who could be viewed as a Sartrean type figure. Father Comstock dominates as the so-called ‘prophet,’ dictating with the appearance of a Marxian character. He is however, counteracted by the otherwise controlled Booker DeWitt; labelled the ‘False Shepherd.’ This hermeneutic interpretation is wholly Christian with a Kantian outlook; if you can’t see it then it doesn’t exist. A theory mostly demonstrated in the games epic conclusion, with Elizabeth envisioning a key to open the door to the lighthouse. On a similar note, the quote (above) suggests existential ‘choice’ as a way to progress; old values become forgotten and thus replaced with modern ones.

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE. 

An Analysis Of "The Great Gatsby"

This essay aims to immerse itself in the world of Mr. Jay Gatsby from both an Economic and Marxist viewpoint. 

"She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. "All right," I said, I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." (16)

Image Courtesy of Sophie Webb

The front cover of the novella boasts privilege and seduction, replicated by a young and beautiful woman, most likely a flapper in her day, wearing glimmering white pearls and a feather hat. She is forefront and wearing black, which from a Marxist perspective could be interpreted as in 'mourning' to the material crisis of Capitalism; the rejection of Communism as "the god that failed" much like the character of Jay Gatsby himself. Author Fitzgerald is said to have lived a notorious lifestyle following the publication of his first and highly successful novel "The Side of Paradise" in 1920. A time when the economy was constituted by a state of equilibrium; but from a boom must come a bust. The outlook was highly Keynesian, with Capitalism being seen as a more efficient and effective way to progress. 

Before his anticipated appearance, expectations of Gatsby would amount to some "hot shot" revolutionary rich kid; an advocate of private ownership who hosts fancy parties at his monetary mansion in West Egg. "The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself." (80) Further suggested here that he acquires a kind of idealistic admiration for himself; characteristic of his 'old sport' nature. Instead, he chooses to diminish himself in the background of events and is therefore perceived as some sort of mythical creature. 

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE. 

HCJ Statistics #3

Over the past couple weeks, more content has been uploaded relating to popular culture (2/12) accompanied by illustrations generously attributed by a media production student at the University of Winchester. Also see the magazines latest article on Synaesthesia, which has brought a lot of traffic to the site, acquiring *148 hits since its upload on 1^st February 2014 (03.01.2014 via Slimstat).

© Illustration By Devan Fulham

These statistical blog posts have acted as a relative "diagnosis" of the website, detailing what should be improved in order to increase pageviews. This can also be demonstrated through the various plug-in "tools" used such as Slimstat and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). My "objectives" overall were outlined in my proposal; in which I am aiming to achieve around *1,000 pageviews per day. 

Circulation figures date from 02.02.2014 via alexa.com. 

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,735,852	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	168,583	2,623 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	335,741	166,631 (US)
PHILOSOPHYBITES.COM	1,041,512	419,276 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,156,941	-

 
The table above shows that PHILOSOPHYBITES dominates in global rank by approximately *3,694,340 compared to the main BA JOURNALISM site. The website features a range of in-depth interviews with experts in the field which can be accessed through the medium of podcast. This has inspired me to include something similar within the site in regards to a “discussions” tab, which will consist of a range of philosophical debates by students and lecturers alike. 

A Philosophical Review Of "Tomb Raider"

The second part of a twelve part series. This essay aims to explore the 'nihilistic devolution' of Lara Croft following the franchises 2013 reboot. 

Since the birth of Tomb Raider in 1996 we have seen Lara battle new heights, embarking on a journey of self-affirmation in an attempt to rediscover her "true" being. She constantly shifts perspective, thus being transformed according to Nietzsche, from a weak and inexperienced 'child' to a fierce and feminist 'lion.' The well renowned game, developed by Crystal Dynamics, acts as a prequel to the previous original series as we see Lara break with tradition and slowly develop into the female equivalent of Nietzsche's "Ubermensch." She represents great physical vigor, courage and strong will; pushing the limit of her comfort zone in order to demonstrate the highest moral standard for the good of the community. A hardcore heroine trapped inside a condemned world; destined to overcome it. 

Screenshots From Personal Gameplay. Image Rights Owned By Crystal Dynamics. 

"The most powerful individuals simultaneously 'give style to their characters, organize the chaos of their passions, and create a world of beauty here and now." (134) 

It becomes pretty clear through the course of the game that Lara’s character has evolved through a process of “Philosophical Nihilism.” She is no longer the idealistic “sex object” she was initially perceived to be and instead becomes actively detached from her roots; increasing her own element of freedom and overcoming personal self-violation. It was because of this quite obvious detachment that I didn’t particularly enjoy it as a Tomb Raider game, even though Lara remained to act on impulse much like a contemporary spin on Nietzsche’s “Good Man.” It was however enjoyable as a game-in-itself once you eventually learn to cut all cognitive ties to its predecessors. 

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE. 

HCJ Statistics #2

The (BA Journalism) Philosophy Magazine has got off to a promising start this week with my first article submitted (no. 1/12) under the subcategory of “Computer Games and the Ideology of Nihilism” The magazine also now has its own individual Twitter account (see below) which has gained around 9 followers in approximately four days. I hope to increase this number to at least 100 by the end of the semester.

Circulation figures date from 19.01.2014 via alexa.com.

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,153,070	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	181,824	2,451 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	340,814	180,451 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,245,084	-

From this table, we can see that the main BA JOURNALISM site has increased in global rank by approximately *478,271 compared to last week. This may partly be due to improvements made within the philosophy magazine, in particular the focus on online promotion to this sector of the site, which should grown stronger in the coming weeks.  

The Representation Of Nihilism Within "Bioshock"

The first of a twelve part series. This essay will explore the conflicting viewpoints of both Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger in regards to nihilism. 

Since its launch in 2007, BioShock has bought a rather aesthetic feel to the gaming world that is near impossible to miss. Philosophical themes are evidently placed on a destructive path throughout the underwater city of 'Rapture' as the gamer has little choice but to become immersed in the abstract longing for a postmodern world. Players are free to alter their characters own biological structure with so called 'Plasmids' or 'Vigors' controlled by their own 'will to power' and are further encouraged to existentially determine their own good or bad ending. Amidst it all breathes the death of an Idealistic society, erupted in chaos due to its severely nihilistic outlook. 

According to the Collins Pocket English Dictionary, 'Nihilism' is the rejection of an established authority or institution. Friedrich Nietzsche, born in 1844 and a strong atheist, believed that Christianity was the root of all illustrious values that should be overcome by humankind being 'born again' Biblical references have been constructed throughout the video game, for example in "Eve's Garden" with its apple logo derivative of the forbidden fruit. But according to Nietzsche, Christianity isn't based on reason and therefore shouldn't reflect these kinds of values. 

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE.