The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Thoughts and Insights

by Erwin Dennis Umali | 2010 - 23119

I have to admit, I was not really that interested in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire when it came out. I didn't really watch the first one. Actually, I do not really engage too much in movies in general. However, I think that, because of my lessened exposure to film, I can actually give a more objective point of view on this movie, because I have no initial bias or expectations on what was shown.

... Or, well, maybe it's just me trying to justify my laziness on going to movie theaters. But, anyway-- !

Science fiction?

If we take into consideration the textbook meaning of science fiction (a good example on Wikipedia), we can certainly consider Catching Fire within that category. I mean, did you see that force-fielded arena? Or even Katniss' "burning dress" costume (which is technically possible today, but yeah)? Basically, the technology depicted in the movie surpasses current feasible modern technology. For me, that is enough to consider Catching Fire as sci-fi.

That doesn't mean, though, that the movie is purely sci-fi. More appropriately, I think sci-fi was used as a literary device to depict the dystopian world of Panem, in the eyes of a distraught teenager forced into dire circumstances for grim entertainment. Most post-apocalyptic tropes intersect with science fiction, and Catching Fire is one of those.

However, it doesn't end there. The movie also delves into other genres and tropes...

Commentary?

... and, arguably, Catching Fire is quite a commentary on society. It depicts a totalitarian regime, catering to an abusive oligarchy (the Capitol), and structuring the populace to provide their own luxury to their detriment (the 13 12 Districts). It is a view on humanity, politics, and societal issues that could happen when the minority gains access to technology -- and, thus, power and influence.
In this sense, the movie can actually criticize society in any timeline. It can be paralleled to how past empires shape their domain according to their ruling class' needs. It can be compared to how current superpowers are trying to implicitly bend the world to their bidding. It can be thought of as how society will progress if it continues down a path of capitalism and (ironically) global self-interest. Even taking away Catching Fire's romance, the movie can be thought of as a pretty powerful commentary on what society has and can become.

STS?

There's little argument for me in this regard. The Capitol is lush in science and technology. The people in the Districts lack such privilege. In this light, technology is power in Panem. It is the fulcrum in which those who wield it can exert influence to everyone else. The Arena for the Hunger Games itself can be seen as technology's role in manipulating society, using futuristic (and infeasible -- but yeah, let's not go there) technologies to bend the circumstances to their bidding.

So, then, does science, technology and society succeed or fail in Panem? For me, it's both. It succeeds in the context of developing science and technology for the sake of it. In the movie, these dictate power. The mere fact such technologies exist is, for me, a success in itself.
We can't look at things at face value all the time, however. In the context of society, the movie's innovations certainly fail. If we were to view the purpose of technology to aid in society, then no tech in Catching Fire succeeds. Just one look at the dystopian, totalitarian setting suggests that science is being used to suppress, silence, brainwash. And, certainly, that future is not something I'd want to live in.

Catching Fire: A Review

by: Maricella D. Valdivia (2013-55498)

1. Is the film a science fiction? Why or why not?

            “Science fiction(Sci-Fi) is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginative content such as futuristic settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life”. Based on the given definition, I consider the film Sci-Fi. Although we have the LCD projector which we can compare with their 'TV', and the train that is quite similar with our MRT's. But there was a great advancement of technology in the film, just like the ship which is somehow similar to those in the movie, Avengers. In the arena, they were able to make a poisonous fog, a lightning, a large wave, wild baboons, and even birds imitating the cries of the tributes' love ones. They were also able to check up on the tributes' every move and everything they talk about, clearly and understandably.

            Today, it is Sci-Fi. But for me, there may come a time when this is no longer considered fiction. Nothing is impossible, with God. With the curiosity of man, we might have these advancement in no time. In the movie “Back to the Future”, they never thought of smartphones and laptops, but look at us now, we have these portable gadgets everywhere. Let's just hope that the odds are ever in our favor. ;)

2. Is the film a commentary on past, present and future human society?
   

            I think it covers all, past, present, and future human society.
            -Past, since there were people, slaves to be exact, who weren't able to experience the life of the future, those people who are starving, and with low educational attainment. Those districts with low technology, for they have no privilege of using the advanced stuff;
            -Present, since there are people, just like the other families who live the life of somewhat the ordinary. Those who we can compare with the people today; and
            -Future, since some have the opportunity to use the high tech stuff by themselves, those in the imaginative part of the story which we consider extraordinary(since we have the concept of ordinary, today). But we don't know, maybe the extraordinary will just be ordinary someday, somehow.


    3. How does science, technology, and society fail or succeed in the world of the 13 districts?

            There were only twelve districts, but in the end, a thirteenth district was made. Science, technology, and society succeeded in the thirteen districts although not everyone has the opportunity to use the advanced science. It succeeded in the sense that it improved and didn't degrade. From how they transport, their cameras that can record live on its own, the clothes worn by Katniss and Peeta on the welcoming of the tributes, and Katniss' farewell evening gown that transformed into a dress which symbolizes the mocking jay. Although I haven't watched the prequel, nor have read the book series, from what I've watched. It cannot be unseen.

GDayX Manila - Engaging, Informative, and Fulfilling

by Erwin Dennis Umali | BS Computer Science | 2010 - 23119

From the perspective of a student -- especially one who delves mostly on the technical aspect of things -- going to a business-oriented event felt a bit off to me. However, since the event featured using technology for your business, and since it had a big tech name on it (Google!), I signed up as soon as I heard about the event.

I was able to attend the final hours of GDayX, from 3pm till closing. This meant that, sadly, I won't be able to give my impressions on the event as a whole. Still, though, I unexpectedly enjoyed the last 2 hours or so of the event. From the very affable staff, the ambiance of the location, the high quality talks, even to the generosity of the prizes and quirk of the games -- everything felt very sophisticated and engaging.

I was able to attend the last three talks, which dealt with using Google for business and education, as well as what the local Google developer scene looks like at present.

Google+ for Business

(Johnn Mendoza, GBG Cebu)

Mr. Johnn Mendoza from GBG Cebu tackled using Google+ and its services to help your business. His topics sounded very contemporary to me -- you don't need print ads or media to advertise! Using Google services right can deliver the same marketing returns with much less cost! He used his own small hotel business in Cebu as an example, and showed how its success was based on 80% online marketing. He used Google+, Google Search, and Google Maps to make his business visible online, and it has proved successful in making his hotel at near-full capacity.

This topic was definitely one of the most interesting for me. While I wanted to catch the Google Analytics talk first, I was piqued nonetheless by the use of G+ for business. I thought of G+ as mainly 'the other Facebook' (a monicker Sir Johnn actually tackled), and seeing how it can boost marketing to the point of tangible gains was eye-opening for me. Not only was I mildly surprised of G+'s efficacy in business, I honestly thought that local businesses would not benefit that much from online marketing. I thought of the general PH market as one who still largely relies on traditional forms of advertising, and that things like what Sir Johnn was talking about weren't very relevant to us today. I was wrong about this, apparently, as Sir Johnn showed first hand how G+, Search, and Maps helped him out a lot. For the many attendees, I bet this was just as eye-opening to them as it was for me. As a soon-to-be software developer, this encourages me to try and develop for the local market. I saw how businesses can thrive locally online, and how they can try to be resilient and use innovative and contemporary channels for publicizing. This talk left me with a sense of hope -- I feel that online trends for business is at a climb in the Philippines, and this talk solidifies that feeling well.

Google in Education

(Jerome Locson, Google)

Mr. Jerome Locson from Google shared insights on Google projects that are being developed for the education sector. He detailed several endeavors: lofty projects such as Project Loon; the ambitious Chromebook; Google Apps for Education packages being offered to universities and educational units nationwide. Sir Jerome detailed how the software giant plans to extend its educational aid to many developing territories, including the Philippines.

As a student, this was what probably resonated with me the most. I was aware of how Google Apps was recently integrated into our UPD Webmail recently, and hearing it from Sir Jerome enlightened me on Google's broader visions on how to aid education as a whole.

Still, though, I can't help but get a bit weary on the sustainability of some of their projects. For instance, will the Philippines be ready for an always-online, in-the-cloud Chromebook? Just how sustainable will their Google Apps for Education program be, if it includes an Internet bandwidth grant (taking into account how unscrupulous and imbalanced our Internet providers currently are)? These questions linger in my mind as the talk winds up, and to be honest, I don't think a single, solid answer for each of these will be around anytime soon.

The Google Developer Groups and Locally-produced Apps You Can Use

(Celine Barrozo and Jomar Tigcal, GDG Philippines)

From a developer and computer scientist student's standpoint, this short talk was probably what hit home the most for me. Ms. Celine Barrozo and Mr. Jomar Tigcal were both from the Google Developers Group, and they talked about the nature of the group, how it mirrors the Google Business Group (the organizers of GDayX), and what locally-made apps and services are available for business and productivity.

I was already aware of the existence of the Google Developer Groups, but I've always felt that their group was something I might not be qualified to participate in, at least for the next few years. Seeing and hearing them in this event, however, made me feel more comfortable about them. Knowing they also held lots of events for developers was a nice thing to know as well. They would be able to reach out to more people, make better software, and contribute more directly to the local community.

The context of developing locally-made apps also piqued my interest. I've oftentimes been bothered by how so many software developers end up working for other foreign companies, some to the point of completely migrating out of the nation. While I don't want to judge these kinds of decisions, the fact that only few talent remain in the Philippines is still an issue that plagues many professions, with the software development sector included. Brain drain of this level is alarming no matter how you put it. While I want to stress that this is mainly our government's job, I feel that organizations such as the GDG will help substantially in encouraging local talent to produce more for themselves. This talk reminded me yet again of the need to prevent staggering national brain drain, but, nonetheless, it left me with a hint of optimism -- there's still time, and the small but sure steps taken by GDG and GBG provide some reassurance.

Conclusion

Overall, the event was an enjoyable one for me. Coming from a technical background, I was able to appreciate how the technology that developers create are introduced and used in business.

The event itself, too, was enjoyable. Event handling was top notch for an organizer that is primarily volunteer-driven. There were lots of freebies and quirks to keep everyone at attention and pleased. Attendees who gave back review forms regarding the event were also given a free GDaysX shirt, which was certainly a win-win situation. And all this was for the grand price of free.

GDayX was a satisfying, informative, and eye-opening event, and definitely delivered on its promise of catering even to students or non-business or non-marketing people. From my standpoint, I saw first hand how technologies from Google can be used to boost your business, and how these tech can even help education, visibility, and productivity. It was enamoring to see how technology can help local businesses grow and compete using different, contemporary marketing channels. To see technologically-minded people helping out others from all walks of life for business and networking -- it was an experience to behold.

I'll definitely consider attending events from the GBG the next time around.