blog # 10, Readings of 4/14/09

Situationism and Media.

Debord, “An Introduction to a Critique of Urban Geography” (1955)
Debord and Wolman, “A User’s guide to Detournement” (1956)
Debord, “The Theory of the Derive” (1958)

The above three articles from this week's readings gave an overview of discovery of new ways,creation of new things, the curiosity to find better ways to do things and the excitement for innovations.
The necessities of life are forcing to discover superior and newer productions,which is converging to new life styles of life.
The main point is whether we like it or not we have to go beyond the previous inspirations to deal with the new changes and innovations.

Key Points:

1. As stated in the article "Psychogeography sets for itself the study of the precise laws and specific effects of the geographical environment, whether consciously organized or not, on the emotions and behavior of individuals." The environment is rapidly changing for instance the invention of automobiles,it is a necessity, convenience and prestige,there is a surplus of cars because everyone's wants to own one, but at the same time people are encouraged to use the public transportation.
The invention of psychogeographical maps is very interesting people blind foldedly follow the maps.

2.Key definitions in the article of Minor détournement,"the détournement of an element which has no importance in itself and which thus draws all its meaning from the new context in which it has been placed". And "the Deceptive détournement, also termed premonitory-proposition détournement, is in contrast the détournement of an intrinsically significant element, which derives a different scope from the new context". Détournement bring changes in common people to become literate to invent and explore new views and advancement in technologies.
There is big impact of détournement shown in films,records,architectural designs, titles,music, gestures and words.

3.The theory of dérive,as descibed in the article,"a technique of rapid passage through varied ambiences. Dérives involve playful-constructive behavior and awareness of psychogeographical effects".
Maps and guides are developed to follow the dierections and penetrate the surrounding views,mind gets easily disoriented if they are riding in a taxi.
The dérive can almost be a therapeutic technique.

The most difficult and challenging part from this week's reading are use of the laws on the détournement. As stated "It is the most distant detourned element which contributes most sharply to the overall impression, and not the elements that directly determine the nature of this impression."

Q.1. What do they mean by cartography in this statement: "Along with various more difficult means of intervention, a renovated cartography seems appropriate for immediate utilization."

Q.2. Why are the last hours of the night are generally unsuitable for dérives as noted in the article.

This week's readings will help in my final paper writing from this statement" The French word détournement means deflection, diversion, rerouting, distortion, misuse, misappropriation, hijacking, or otherwise turning something aside from its normal course or purpose. It has sometimes been translated as “diversion,”.