To put it simply, I wanted to give a political voice to the phenomenon described as voter “apathy”. The argument I’m making is that low voter turnout in our democracy may not be an issue of participation so much as an issue of flat-out rejection of the system and its capabilities. Furthermore, I’m hoping to illustrate that the practice is anything but apathetic and contains powerful voices, questions, energy, and intense concern with the institutions of government.
Within this faction, I then attempted to portray the two different camps that I recognize within. The first is the individualist, activist, conspiracy-theorist, radio-ranter type denoted by Alex Jones’ character and the second is the nihilist, comedic, outspoken, “fuck-everything” type denoted by Carlin. Initially, I attempted to portray them as compliments but I found that there was a fundamental conflict that was quite difficult to resolve. I found that although they both share the same systems of recognition, same articulation of the problems, and same fundamental passion, the implications and potential they see is drastically different. To illustrate this relationship, I used straight shots and split screens.
I finally bring them together in a sort of explosion of self-immolation which in my mind is the meeting place of nihilism, absurdity, and the individualist spirit and power.
Personally, I’m not sure where I stand with the issue and I think the piece actually suffers by my own lack of direction or conviction. Maybe then, the piece is a illustration/window into a more fundamental conflict rather than an argument or stance.