GPS Autopilot

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The kids are able to drive the car on Earth because of futuristic technology. The car has a GPS system, much like those in 2011—but it was definitely not invented yet when this movie was produced. The main difference between the GPS system of today and the one of 2049 is that the futuristic GPS system also serves to autopilot the car. All the driver needs to do is plug in the ignition code, departure and destination points, and the car will take them there. Today, our planes are on autopilot, but we have not discovered yet how to do this with cars. In Zenon’s time, traffic and roadblocks do not seem to be a problem, possibly because the car can sense them and knows how to respond.

This technology seems somewhat impossible because driving is affected not just by one car, but by all cars on the road. For this technology to work, all of the cars must be connected and in communication and human override cannot be an option. From one perspective, human control could be the biggest roadblock in terms of why this technology has not been developed. People enjoy driving and like to be the one in control of the car. They second guess accidents and test reaction time on a daily basis, and that could be the reason why autopilot cars may never be developed—not even by 2049.

gps in car

gps

Cosmic Tragedy

Zetus Lupetus! I can’t believe that my parents seriously sent me here to Earth. What a punishment major! Earth is so different from the space stay. I don’t even know if I can handle it. Everything they eat here is fried and inorganic. I’m terrified to drink the water because who knows what kind of microbes are swimming around in that. I honestly have no idea how people survive down here with all the gravity weighing you down and the food they eat and not to mention the clothes that they wear! Why did no one tell them that drab clothes are a tragedy major? Seriously, I’d almost rather be living in a black hole as opposed to here…

Data Zap

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Zenon’s alarm clock, called the Data Zap, wakes her up every morning. It tells her what time it is and then showcases a recorded message (a video of herself) that she has registered previously. The video is Zenon begging herself to wakeup and teasing her when she does not. To Zenon, hearing herself that early is just annoying. Today, we do not have these visual alarm clocks. As we saw in Zenon, it may be better that we don’t. Most people would much rather wakeup to a ringing sound or loud music than their own self.

data zap 1

data zap 2

Remixing – Coming Clean

Here is another example of Zenon fans remixing the Zenon movie in order to create new media/content and new meaning to it.

The song used in the video is “Coming Clean” by Hilary Duff. It is used to show how life on Earth ended up being a positive experience even though she was not looking forward to it. Even after Zenon got back to space she missed the friends she had made on Earth.

Which Hairstyle to Pick?

Ok so here are two ways that I’ve been wearing my hair lately. Which do you like better? Tell me what you think!

zenon hair

images

Stress Helmet

A fun gadget that is featured in the Zenon movie is the stress helmet. Zenon’s behavior leads her mother to put on a stress helmet in order to relax. The helmet looks to be the least technological gadget in the movie, as it resembles a queen’s crown. In today’s society, this would be small, compact, and less frumpy. It would have buttons and levels of comfort. We are not told if this gadget de-stresses in a herbal way or in a medical technological way. But, it is a futuristic device made to lessen people’s problems.

Storage Disks

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Zenon’s main conflict is actually over a piece of technology: a disk. This disk is a small circular object which can hold data files. Today’s equivalent to this is a USB drive. But, the most widely data storage devices could be email systems and dropbox internet boxes, such as the “cloud”. We have moved from physical copies of data to digital ones. There are many advantages to digital copies, including the inability for them to be lost or stolen (as in Zenon’s case).

Zenon’s physical disk could be what the creators thought might happen to the floppy disk, which was the method of storage during the time that the movie was made. They clearly did not know about how physical storage would be replaced with digital storage, so they just went with what they knew.

disk drive 2

disk drive

disk earring

rainbow disk

Remixing – Misery Business

Here is an example of Zenon fans remixing the movie in order to create new meaning and media surrounding it.

The song is by Paramore and is called “Misery Business.” Its about how good the singer feels when stealing the boyfriend of a girl that doesn’t like her. In the movie, Margie likes Greg before Zenon comes to Earth. Once Zenon is on Earth and it is apparent Greg likes her, Margie tries doing whatever to sabotage her. In the end, Greg and Zenon end up together. Although the plot of the movie does not match the song’s lyrics perfectly, to emphasizes Zenon and Margie’s rivalry in a different way than the movie does.

Fashionista Major

I really try to always look my best and try to start new trends with my accessories and clothing. Yesterday, I shared my current obsession in music so today, it’s time to talk fashion. My dumpster diving is continuing to help me in my quest to becoming the most fashionable teenager on the space stay. Just yesterday, I found this awesome wire that I plan to turn into a bracelet. I’ll make sure to post a pic as soon as I make it.

I can show you my favorite new accessory that Nebula (my BF for life) just gave to me. It’s this cool disk that she turned into an earring! It is reasons like this that I remember why Neb is my BF. She totally gets my style and totally loves starting new trends with me. Can’t wait to show this off on the space stay!

Virtual Teacher

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Education on the Space Stay in 2049 is extremely different than the classroom of 2010. While we have just begun embracing online education and degrees, the Space Stay is far beyond that point. Online education of today consists of lesson plans and readings that the student reads to themselves and by themselves. They may never meet the teacher, and there may not even be one, just an administrator recording grades. But, the Space Stay hasn’t forgotten about teachers and the importance of the student to teacher relationship. The student cannot talk to a computer screen about not being able to figure out a math problem. The student has no advocate, just an instruction sheet.

Classes in the Space Stay may be very far into the future, but they have kept the teacher central to the educational experience. Zenon attends class each morning with around 10 other students. They sit in a circle, each in front of a computer station. In the center is their teacher. But, this teacher is not actually there, he is only an apparition. He can speak to the students and the students can speak to him. He can even walk around the platform. When Zenon seems distracted, he immediately notices and takes corrective action.

This teacher apparition is a futuristic way of thinking, and would be a solid direction for our world to follow. Zenon’s teacher makes it clear that no matter how far we have come, we cannot forget the key component of a successful educational institution.

virtual teacher 1

virtual teacher 2

virtual teacher 3