Stephenson, Star Wars
I did manage to see the latest Star Wars installment last week in Pierre. My feelings were mixed; I was not disappointed but neither could it have the effect it would have had when I was 15 years old. Now I can't resist posting this Op-Ed by Neal Stephenson from the NY Times.
In short he describes a disparity between the first series (Episodes IV - VI) and this one (Episodes I - III) that is described well in the terms "veg out" and "geek out":
"Modern English has given us two terms we need to explain this phenomenon: "geeking out" and "vegging out." To geek out on something means to immerse yourself in its details to an extent that is distinctly abnormal - and to have a good time doing it. To veg out, by contrast, means to enter a passive state and allow sounds and images to wash over you without troubling yourself too much about what it all means. "
While the first series offered an opportunity for a balance between the two, the last three installments have been all veg - the geek out content is in suplementary materials like the Star Wars novels and other mini-series. Stephenson has it right, and he's put words into the reaction I didn't think too deeply about.
I have to confess here that I haven't "geeked out" on Star Wars of late and finishing the series was more of a formality (seen the first 5, may as well). But I did watch it during a stressful week and it was good to sink into my chair at the local Pierre movie theatre, with a handful of people (perhaps 10) scattered across the theatre and check out of "real life" for a while.
9:46:56 PM 
|
