Serial Experiments Lain Episode 9 Discussion

starcorea said:
I think that the documentary was very relevant. The documentary was interesting in that it implied that by creating the internet, we are becoming like one huge network; and by comparing this network to the neurons in our brains, it seems that this network (or the 'Wired') would allow us to become like one entity, creating neuron pathways through information and communication.

I think the part with the alien and bit about Roswell was supposed to show how Lain was becoming more and more detached from reality, as the wired and the real world begin to collide and overlap. The aliens signify her own alienation and how different she perceives the rest of humanity to be. The episode also highlights the question of what reality is. As the Knights are supposedly changing the past through their omnipotent control over the wired, Lain is unsure of what has happened or if indeed, she has lost control of herself and is committing all of these acts whilst in some sort of semi-conscious state. On top of this, Lain is confronted with the concept of 'deleting' the past through the wired, and this challenges the concept of history. In the same way that The Ministry of Truth deleted the past in Nineteen Eighty-Four through modification of past events, Lain is shown that through the wired, it is possible to erase all evidence of something ever existing, and in doing so, effectively 'deleting' something from time and space altogether.

I think much of what is spoken about in SEL can be related to the current situation of the world. The fact that we are constantly being bombarded with information and propaganda means that we start to lose our sense of reality too, although not to the same extent that Lain does. Equally, as it becomes easier to connect with people all over the world, perhaps we are slowly becoming this 'one entity', each human being as one neuron, creating one massive brain through our communicative network...

I've only just finished ep8 though, so my opinions will probably change once I've seen the whole thing. :)

starcorea said:
I think that the documentary was very relevant. The documentary was interesting in that it implied that by creating the internet, we are becoming like one huge network; and by comparing this network to the neurons in our brains, it seems that this network (or the 'Wired') would allow us to become like one entity, creating neuron pathways through information and communication.

I think the part with the alien and bit about Roswell was supposed to show how Lain was becoming more and more detached from reality, as the wired and the real world begin to collide and overlap. The aliens signify her own alienation and how different she perceives the rest of humanity to be. The episode also highlights the question of what reality is. As the Knights are supposedly changing the past through their omnipotent control over the wired, Lain is unsure of what has happened or if indeed, she has lost control of herself and is committing all of these acts whilst in some sort of semi-conscious state. On top of this, Lain is confronted with the concept of 'deleting' the past through the wired, and this challenges the concept of history. In the same way that The Ministry of Truth deleted the past in Nineteen Eighty-Four through modification of past events, Lain is shown that through the wired, it is possible to erase all evidence of something ever existing, and in doing so, effectively 'deleting' something from time and space altogether.

I think much of what is spoken about in SEL can be related to the current situation of the world. The fact that we are constantly being bombarded with information and propaganda means that we start to lose our sense of reality too, although not to the same extent that Lain does. Equally, as it becomes easier to connect with people all over the world, perhaps we are slowly becoming this 'one entity', each human being as one neuron, creating one massive brain through our communicative network...

I've only just finished ep8 though, so my opinions will probably change once I've seen the whole thing. :)