090211
v.0.8
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The grey zone is an experimental tool that uses video fragments to discuss polarized issues: political, moral, scientific, religious.
The Grey Zone was conceived to test our open-mindedness and to make us aware of our pre-conceived ideas.
It is also a tool for understanding the more radical arguments that define both sides of an issue - in particular for understanding the side which we strongly disagree.
USERS
The intended users are filmmakers, media professionals, journalists, writers and media students/academics.
Participation is by invitation. The initial users are encouraged to invite others. The Grey Zone is not a tool for the broad pupic: media literacy is expected from all users.
ANONYMITY
Unlike other online video services, the grey zone is *not* a social network.
Following invitation, users must register to upload, view and evaluate/rate content, but user registration is used only for managing one's own content and ratings.
All user activity remains anonymous to other users. There is no possibility for commenting on uploaded content or for messaging between users.
PLATFORMS
The Grey Zone is accessible through the web and also through personal mobile devices.
ISSUES
All content in the grey zone is organized around issues. Each issue has a title (e.g. Ratko Mladic) and two opposing views (e.g. war criminal / war hero). Guest editors are invited to propose new issues and to add new arguments to enrich the discussion.
Detailed editorial guidelines for the creation of issues are being development.
DEFINING A STANDPOINT
When first viewing an issue, users are asked to define their position in relation to it by using a grey scale that indicate nuance levels between the two polar extremes.
UPLOADING
Video files can be uploaded from any computer through a web browser. Video can also be imported from services such as YouTube, Vimeo etc
Each uploaded fragment is called an argument and it is connected to one specific issue.
Every new argument is then contextualized by a descriptive text and metadata (location, date, tags, copyright information).
Finally, the contributing user positions the new argument in the grey scale, determining its initial nuance level in relation to the issue.
BROWSING ARGUMENTS
The default browsing mode is by date, with the newest uploads shown first.
It is also possible to browse fragments by location, date or tags, or to view special playlists (see below)
THOUGHTS
Users can organize arguments in a specific order forming a thought.
Simple intertitles can be added between arguments.
Thoughts can be named and saved under a specific issue.
All thoughts are anonymous in the Grey Zone.
ALARM BUTTON
The Grey Zone video player includes an alarm button that can be used when the viewer considers the video material offensive.
When pressed, video playback stops and the user is asked what is the nature of the alarm and whether they want to stop or resume viewing the argument.
The exact time code and argument title are logged every time the alarm button is pressed. If a user uses the alarm button too frequently, he or she is asked to consider quitting The Grey Zone - for good.
ARGUMENT EVALUATION
After viewing, arguments or thoughts can be evaluated using the greyscale.
EFFECTS OF EVALUATING ARGUMENTS
Accumulated ratings will gradually reposition an argument in relation to the issue's grey scale.
The author of a video can track how his argument shifts its position based on other users' ratings
Variations in the indicated standpoint will gradually reposition an user in relation to the issue.
Users can track the gradual shifts in their standpoints caused by exposure to persuasive arguments.
SPECIAL PLAYLISTS
Radicals
The grey zone encourages taking a walk on the opposite side and being exposed to arguments other than one's own through the radical playlists. The radical arguments are those positioned at the far ends of the grey scale.
Moderates
Users can also browse moderate playlists in search of nuanced arguments. The moderate arguments are those positioned at the central area of the grey scale.
Odds
Arguments that receive extremely discordant ratings are considered odd and can be browsed through the odd playlist.
Odd arguments and thoughts are appreciated in the grey zone, since they are likely to represent unusual views.
Alarms
Arguments or thoughts that consistently provoke the use of the panic button can be browsed with the red playlist.
The player will display markers in the timeline indicating the moments when previous viewers used the panic button.
FEEDBACK
If you have a question or would like to provide feedback about this project, please e-mail us. Thanks.
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