Comments on: How dare he dislike my gadget!

By: Durf

Durf — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:39:10 +0000

. . . Which is just fine, in my opinion. The man’s entitled to his views on technology vs. nature, or gadgetry vs. human interaction, or whatever. The thing that prompted me to write this post was basically what I tried to encapsulate in its title: there are people out there taking his views awfully personally.

You certainly have good points about the arguments he’s advanced in his studio’s movies, though. It is an underlying theme in a lot of his thinking and certainly his anti-iPad screed isn’t entirely inspired by a nation of unthinking consumerism.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:41:19 +0000

Here’s the problem though. He has automatically made the judgement that the iPad, and other devices it seems, is only useful for consuming content rather than for creating content. This does not have to be the case. We have already seen great paintings being made on the iPad using Brushes and other similar apps. Apple’s iWork software allows for creating written works using the iPad. Who knows what new apps will be written that will give creators new tools with which to work?

Creators need their imaginations but they also need tools–whether they are using their hands, a pencil and paper, paint on canvas, a musical instrument, or an iPad–to bring those dreams to life.

His argument to not be a consumer but to be a creator does not seem to be the real basis for his dislike of the iPad. He genuinely does not seem to like technology.

When Mononoke Hime came out years ago there were several articles from the media regarding the CGI used in the film. Miyazaki was very much against it and was extremely reluctant to use it. He limited it’s use to a very limited number of scenes. Now, I love hand drawn animation and I love CGI animation as well–actually I love stories–but it seems to me that as an artist you want to be able to use any and all tools available to you to create. Why limit yourself by fearing technology?

In fact, if you look at the themes in the majority of his films his negative view of technology is readily apparent. Laputa had it’s technologically advanced civilization which relied extensively upon robot workers/servants and which ultimately was destroyed. And then there were the greedy individuals who sought out Laputa’s technology for power.

In Mononoke Hime the opposition between the natural world and technology is even clearer. A town’s use of technology destroys the forest, the animals within, and even a god.

I think that the truth is that Miyazaki, however gifted an animator, director, and storyteller he may be, he also is very much a luddite.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:28:54 +0000

Some great thoughts man. I had a browse of the original Japanese article online when I heard about it last week, just to check that the masturbation comment wasn’t a mis-translation. It was correct, but I didn’t take the time to read the whole article, so I’m very glad you picked this up. Amazing how a single quote can be easily taken out of context and warped in media. I need to be more careful.

By: Ryan Layman

Ryan Layman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:46:10 +0000

Nice article, Durf! I agree that the quote that didn’t make the news is by far the most important part of the story that most people will likely not see.

The way media is organized in both of my countries (I feel invested enough here to call it home at least) is particularly problematic in this sense. The flash and the distraction is starting to become way more important than the message conveyed.

Of course, websites are no different. All the talk of hits and followers distract from what really needs to be said. Which is that we must be active participants in society or we’ll become participants in our own stratification.

Thanks for bringing out this new element. I consciously tried to avoid the story, but this made following it all worthwhile.

(And for the record, I can’t for the life of me foresee needing an iPad. I don’t even have the phone, and I’m still on the fence for that one.)