Wednesday, May 13, 2009

What is Real?

Working from home, i spend a lot of time in front of my computer screen and the fact that my job is supporting an online community - i also spend a lot of time investigating, using and trying to understand virtual communities. I find the notion of virtual friendship and/or community a challenging one. I think community is a key aspect of human existence.We are social beings. The virtual aspect however is a product of technology. The youth of today can somehow "feel" a sense of belonging virtually, and do not get me wrong that is great, really great. We all need to feel like we belong. But there is a physical result to belonging to a community that is not replicated virtually. That connection, that physical interaction between humans is truly what community is about. I do not mean deep friendships and loving relationships cause we can only have a few of those but that walking down the street, smiling to the person that crosses your path or buying your milk at the corner store and saying have a nice day kind to the clerk kind of connection, community. I do not know what it is called but it is deeply human, it is needed and it can never be replaced by something virtual. These communities should co-exist and should develop in concert with one another. Certainly not one at the expense of another - and if i may be so bold, on the contrary they should actively support one another.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

work in progress 1

“Tehran 1977”

EXT. BUSY URBAN STREET – FALL DAY,

The street is packed with cars, many are impatiently honking but for no apparent reason. The posters advertising the latest movie or latest hair product as well the shops signs are in Farsi and English. A few women in the street wear full a length coverall, something like a sheet which is called a “chador”, others women wear a simple headscarf, but most are wearing neither and are in typical western clothes of the day. They wear skirts, blouses, knee high boots and ponchos. Men are also dressed in typical western clothing of the day, slacks, jeans, shirts, blazers, leisure suits.

INT. SEDAN - DAY

YASMINE SAFDI, A girl, 12 years old, pale complexion, bright brown eyes and smooth long brown hair, sits in the back of a new imperial green Chevrolet sedan, she has her school bag next to her on the seat. It also looks new, one of those briefcases with shoulder straps, “Kickers” is embroidered on the front above the buckles. Driving the car is the girl's grandfather BAGHER SAFDI. He is about 55, balding with grayed temples. He looks distinguished; he wears an ascot tie and a crisp pale blue button-down shirt and gray wool slacks. They are speaking in perfect English. He asks how her day went, has she made any friends.

Suddenly, there is a loud bang as the car hits the car in front of it.