I found the opening of this Good Eats episode interesting, not only because it's just in time for culmination of the course (also hinting that Christmas is near) and Alton Brown is phenomenal, but because it depicts Santa with “high tech” devices. Everyone my age and older has looked back at our childhood with nostalgia, especially memories during the Christmas season. However, our generation seems to embody the last remains of a "traditional" Santa Claus. Today, children growing up are seeing Santa (sometimes in magazine and advertisements) with technology, in the cause of the video clip, a Blackberry and DV camera. It was quite jarring to see this image of "new age" Santa emailing children through the use of a personal device. This contrast is also depicted in movies like Elf. Examining how media can change such integral part of our childhood (or symbol) is both alarming and fascinating.
Comments (1)
I'm all for the traditional Santa, the one who doesn't need magic, or rocket powered sleighs or even a unionized elf labor force. But rather as the Santa that defies the realms of reality. How does he manage to not get charge with breaking and entering every year? Or with the lack of working chimneys in suburban homes how does he get presents to children? Or, while Santa's robust frame shows us that he leads an ever deadly lifestyle while still managing to be active in his old age? These are all things that we realized when we were children and when we asked about them our parents gave some convoluted answer. But now movies, and television are trying to show Santa as this almost robot figure, using technology to better his life. But then again I was always thankful I got something awesome at Christmas and not just a wooden horse. Maybe the new and improved Santa is way better?
Posted by Ronald Mexico | December 10, 2007 5:56 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 17:56