Colton Elzey Core Post #...5?

 The Liveliness Element of Living Things That Are Live

Tara's piece initially gets me considering the dual use of "live" when considering media formats, specifically between television and the internet. Her essay covers both mediums as they relate to one another, with this element as one of many key points in the discussion. I find it interesting since both are considered live, but for opposite reasons, which I would like to explore briefly. 

When considering the Web, McPherson writes: "I get the results right away, no need to wait for the 10pm broadcast. Just click. Immediate gratification. Even the waiting of download time locks us in the present as a perpetually unfolding now" (201). Here she is referring to her own style of web surfing, as well as a phenomenological examination of the ideas behind 'live' internet use on sites such as news channels. This is 'live' because it is there, all the time, accessible, and updated. You know it is live for these reasons, however, TV is vastly unique when considering it's sense of 'liveness.' 

Quoting Jane Feuer, Tara writes:"that "the differences between TV and... cinema are too great not to see television as a qualitatively different medium, but granted [liveness]," she pursued what was specific to TV, both as a form and as an ideological practice" (201). While Jane's analysis is easily understood, it is worth noting that this sense of liveliness is the opposite of why one might consider the Web--being eternally accessible, 24/--as live, which is because it is not always accessible. Television's biggest component of feeling live I believe comes from the medium's specific mode of releasing content on a schedule. You cannot simply login to see Buffy anytime you want, because it is a story that is slowly unfolding, week by week, not a recording. It also feels live because one is watching something in unison with those present and those not, contrasted with the internets mode of personalized web page viewing. 

This might be a surface level thought, but the unique differences between the two formats, and why they are considered live for almost opposite reasons was an intriguing concept to wrap my brain around this week. If you made it this far, congratulations, you are our lucky winner!