Who is he ?
Given that we are in the dying breaths of our bridging module assignments, my weekly diary (Week 10) would of been very light in content as there really hasn’t been much to write about. So, as to create a more diverse post I move us to the impending chronograph deadline which our mysterious digital friend? Rufi Franzen had sent us all, I see it fitting to merge both posts into one for all to try and understand the idea behind this strange yet annoyingly addictive pastime which has devoured most evenings of my fellow colleagues in the past weeks.
I must admit over the last few weeks I have grown a little tired of this “game” (sorry Huey for the off tweet !) as I felt it was starting to encroach into my Uni coursework which is more important so I took a back seat in the proceedings, but didn’t fully omit myself as the draw of each new puzzle or video continued to feed my curiosity. #91211 and Rufi Franzen has become an all consuming monster within our PSVTAM group, conjuring all manner of images and ideas in an attempt to glean the answer but as with all good whodunit’s, dead ends, red herrings and false information has ruled the day.
To make a very long story short (which I will leave for another post) over the past week our main contributors @Justpressplay_ and @JonnyDuddle have been solving every puzzle and breadcrumb that has been throw at them, displaying a gusto which should be applauded and respected. Their work eventually lead us to a live feed with the man himself last night with @tay_steppah asking “Yes” and “No” questions. From all accounts this was a strange series of events with one message running through, “You need to be in Manchester on the 9-12-11″. At first I was against this as again I felt it was distracting me from my assignments but after having a sleep on it I caught the train into Media City to scope out the plan for this possible “Field Trip”. After attending David’s class and getting a few last minute project pointers Helen arrives to usher the people who would take part into Manchester (Many thanks for the Funds HK as we are broke ass students).
Instead of trying to explain who, what or why I filmed the entire trip which are shown below. So sit back, watch and enter the Madness which is Rufi Franzen.
After watching the story unfold in these clips I can start to appreciate the time, effort and complexity of this kind of social media experiment, Helen and Hugh did an excellent job of fooling everyone including me (I, being the very sceptical and paranoid one) into using digital media in all it’s guises and splendour but I feel we now need to stand back and digest the scale and grandeur of our 12 week adventure. There are many lessons and possible research from an Teacher / Education point of view into how, as students (especially resistant students) can embrace and adapt to new technologies and be taught using a form of subliminal emersion / distraction. These skills in my opinion may become the tools that our teachers will need to use as we become more media centric and connected on a global level, I tip my hat to Helen (Her thoughts are here) and Hugh for showing us the way and may you go from strength to strength with each new intake of budding media guru’s.
Peace, Love and Happiness (Not forgetting…… Happy Xmas Y’all)
Signing off from this semester for the last time.
Paul Delooze
Wow. What a feeling reading this, watching the videos. Thanks so much for getting this online so quickly! What a crazy few months. Modules as adventures, as mysteries – yes please.
Posted by Helen | December 9, 2011, 6:26 pmI read “You have been playing an alternative reality game” last night as this whole subject has now inspired me to see things in a totally different way. As always you have pushed the boundaries of student/content beyond the normal parameters, when the question of “would you do this again” was brought up you seemed to shy away from the topic given the amount of stress and uncertainty this “project” has caused. I feel this way of teaching is so beneficial to all involved and maybe this idea could be modified into something more easy to manage. On a final note, if you have the right group and conditions anything is possible.
These memories will stay with me forever.
Paul
Posted by watersidestudio | December 10, 2011, 11:52 amGreat videos and nice to see such a swing of opinion from ‘this is total ****’ to ‘this is amazing’.
Posted by Rufi Franzen... Sorry Hugh Garry | December 9, 2011, 9:31 pmTo be honest Hugh, we all felt a little “left field” regarding this project. This behaviour especially from my point of view reminded me of how I perceive “Cold Callers” which I see as an invasion of my privacy and how I deal with them. I will accept that my attitude towards the end was wrong and for that please accept my apologies, with all things strange and unusual sometimes human nature and it’s fear of the unknown takes hold and rational thought goes out of the window.
Posted by watersidestudio | December 10, 2011, 12:25 pmBRILLIANT! Well done getting this online so quickly Paul, I’ve enjoyed the whole show from afar, it’s been incredible.
Posted by benshirley | December 9, 2011, 11:56 pmI am glad you have enjoyed this post, it has been a very strange and sometimes frustrating but in the end I believe that I have been a part of something special. Excellent work from yourself for keeping the secret and watching us run around in circles.
I am interested in what you three come up with next year.
Paul
Posted by watersidestudio | December 12, 2011, 12:15 amHaha, love the vid were Rob ambles along eating a burger! Ace
Posted by JDTWerk | December 10, 2011, 9:47 amYes, I agree that his Burger eating exploits are legendary. I can’t keep thinking that his actions will be on YT for all eternity.
Posted by watersidestudio | December 12, 2011, 12:16 amThank You so much for the videos Paul, I missed the whole thing because of the flu/cold but I don’t feel left out when I watch this!!!! Brilliant, like I was actually there!!
Posted by alicjas | December 10, 2011, 11:23 amIt was a pleasure filming them, even though you were not there to be honest your spirit was in attendance. Get well soon and hopefully you will be in our final class (which I believe will be held in Manchester to watch the Films)
Paul
Posted by watersidestudio | December 12, 2011, 12:20 am