Bringing Down the House: Cyberculture

It is really amazing to think about how much our culture has been affected by the internet. My parents refer to the internet as “another world” that we youngins’ live under the influence of. We are the cyber generation, and for ONCE know more than our parents do about SOMETHING. It took several years for my mom to even get the hang of E-mail, and for me, probably only an hour. The internet has opened up so much for our society in many ways. Not only does it allow us to search for jobs, cars, and houses but additionally it has expanded the realm of possibilities in the world of dating. We recently discussed David Bell’s article about the cyber world. It is noted that the internet has had a profound effect on our society and culture. Bell suggests that the internet (specifically personal web pages) allow people to identify themselves in any way that they want. As well, it “allows people to reveal previously hidden aspects of their identities.”

Bringing Down the House, a comedy featuring Queen Latifah and Steve Martin, is a film about two individuals who meet online, and begin “cyber dating.” What is most interesting about this movie is the perceptions that the couple has of one another through the way that they each identify themselves. This film takes a comedic look at a cyber relationship gone wrong. It could be assumed that the film intentionally attempts to warn people of the dangers of the internet. Because of its extraordinary hold on our society, many at one point (maybe even presently) perceive the internet to be too phenomenal to have any flaws. Viewers of this funny film could have different perceptions of it’s intent. Fans argue that it highlights the mistakes that any internet user could make. Critics may argue the opposite: that it illustrates a unrealistic situation of cyber dating.

As Bell and Lisa Nakamara in CyberTypes propose, race, ethnicity, and identity can all be exposed and existent online, unlike many seem to believe. However, its up to the online user to decide how and what part of your identity you want to expose to the web. In Bringing Down the House, Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) and Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah) begin corresponding via internet in a chat room and later through email. Both are guilty of misrepresenting themselves, which is later revealed on their first blind date. When exchanging physical descriptions of each other, Peter (who has a head full of white hair) describes himself as having “boyish blonde hair” with an “athletic built” for a body. Charlene sends Peter a picture of herself but fails to mention that she is really the convict in the background of the photo in handcuffs, instead of the cute blonde in the front. The movie takes a funny twist when they finally meet and Charlene’s real reason for cyber chatting was to make use of Peter’s skills as an attorney.

This film is a comedic example of the impact that the internet has had on our culture. I would be interested in finding out how many people out there, misrepresent themselves online. Who wouldn’t, when you could be anyone you want? Well, as long as you never come face to face with those that you’re interacting with.