Episode 132 - Banned Books, Forbidden Beards, LG15 Resistance [Discussion]

[marilee]

This week we're immersing ourselves in the web to for cutting-edge entertainment, to create collaborative fiction, and to check out some sweet beards. All while trying not to get banned. The FU of the Week is served by the creative team behind the Lonelygirl15 universe, and we have an insane music video road trip from Liars!

Watch or download now. (http://revision.com/epicfu/eqal)

[bigshotprof]

Okay, I am the grumpy old guy here, but I detect a double standard. When big media and corporations pul fast ones on us the internet community is all over them, but somehow after the guys of Lonelygirl deliberately perpetrated a fraud they have been treated as web pioneers. When will you all be sitting down with Kevin Trudeau?

[backstabb]

Note to self: Stop watching Epic Fu just before sleeping. That was some scary stuff in the first half.

bigshotprof: I guess it depends on what side of the internet you're on, and how deep the "immersion" actually is. If it's something like the NIN and I Love Bees, we know it's fake, and yet we can actually be a tangible part of experience.

Here, however, lonelygirl15 isn't a component of the marketing, or one component of the art form; the alleged scam IS the mode of representation. Lonelygirl15 is the art form.

That being said, the internet is srs bizness.

[rickrey]

Okay, I am the grumpy old guy here, but I detect a double standard. When big media and corporations pul fast ones on us the internet community is all over them, but somehow after the guys of Lonelygirl deliberately perpetrated a fraud they have been treated as web pioneers. When will you all be sitting down with Kevin Trudeau?

I see your point, but I think putting these guys in the same category as Trudeau is a little harsh! A big part of creating a successful ARG is building a rich, believable playground. Yes it's frustrating to find out you're being played, but in hindsight it made the experience much more fun and interesting.