HyperNormalisation

The BBC documentary, HyperNormalisation (2016), created by filmmaker Adam Curtis seeks to answer the question: at what point did the reality of society, as we knew it in its 'authentic' or pure form, become replaced with a fabricated reality of confusion and unfathomable outcomes? How did we get to where we are today; in a world where it is possible for characters like Donald Trump to become the elected Leader of the Free World, or where tragedies like the suicide bombings in Paris or the chaos that was Brexit could become so commonplace that many have ceased to question why these things are even happening.

Using an outstanding collection of footage to support his argument, Curtis proposes that the shift started in the mid-1970s and has only been growing uncontrollably since then. In a dance between politicians, corporations, financiers, technology advancements, and war, Curtis provides a thorough history on international conflicts in the Middle East that American leaders have played a role in. Simultaneously, Curtis also explains how the technology of the 1980s (specifically computer networks) gave rise to a new hidden system of power. This network, which was originally meant to be distant from the political and corporate corruption found in the outside world, quickly became fertile grounds for the very thing it was built against. Another key theme discussed in HyperNormalisation is the concept of governments manipulating the public's perception, whether it be fabricating a global villain (Gaddafi) for the sake of public relations, or stirring UFO sightings as part of a counter-intelligence operation. Curtis shows that there is virtually no limit on how far politicians will go, and that we, as a society, are complacently going along for the ride.

Analyzing the documentary, I found the arguments to be quite compelling. The world we live in today is far removed from the society I remember when I was a child or, from what I've read, the many generations that preceded me. Quite intriguing were the strategies that Russia, the United States, and others have come up with in order to gain or retain power. It feels like an endless game of chess, where we are the spectators – powerless to control the next move. In a way, this supports Curtis' thesis that the complexity of the world has caused many of us to become paralyzed – longing for a simpler world that is just outside of our reach.

Beyond the politics or the war, a topic that Curtis discussed that intrigued me the most was when he brought up ELIZA. I was instantly overcome with nostalgia upon seeing this segment, as ELIZA was one of the first programs I ever used on the computer and it set in motion for me a curiosity about computers that I may not have otherwise had. I remember spending hours upon hours talking to ELIZA when I was a child, it was really fascinating at the time.

Other than that, I never really thought about how ELIZA, or social media for that matter, is essentially a reflection of our inner-self (as Curtis describes it). I can see now how we are drawn to logging into Facebook and other social networks because it learns what we like, and it creates this bubble that we live in where we are then only shown the things we like. I also see the problem with this, as I feel we need to be shown differing opinions, even if it hurts. I would hate to see where this sheltered, guided path would lead us if we don't wake up.

In the end, I feel HyperNormalisation is, in a sense, a wake up call in and of itself. I do not know how much of it is contrived, but the stories depicted are nonetheless an important take on how our current reality may have been constructed, how our society got to where it is today, and how our history and global relations have all played a significant role in setting the stage for what's to come.

If you're interested in watching this documentary, you can view it on YouTube (unless it has been taken down already):