movie such a selling point, especially with the story centering on free will and fate as it made its viewers face those exact dilemmas? The reason goes back to the idea of choice and media, and even explains why "Spec Ops: The Line" had such an impact. Our Western society is fascinated with the ideas of moral responsibility and interactivity in media, whether that be the direct cause-and-effect type of media like "Bandersnatch" or the more subtle uses of choice and responsibility like "Spec Ops" Simply put, choice sells. The prospect of freedom, of being able to choose your own adventure, has been reinvigorated and multiple companies and media forms are realizing that This causes an interesting paradox of worldviews. As a society, our world has been moving away from the values of moral responsibility and has instead adopted a culture that points the finger at anyone but ourselves. In storytelling, you can see this as far back as Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," in which the monster only becomes corrupted after the actions and influence of others had attected it As recently as 2019's "Joker: in which Arthur Fleck turns insane only through a society that treats him like trash. Even the mind-bending effect of "Bandersnatch" comes from the revelation that the main character has no responsibility for what he does, as he discovers that he's bound to follow whatever the watcher chooses for him If this is the way our culture works, why do people continue to consume media that advocates choice and responsibility? Dr. Joshua Kira. a theology and philosophy professor at Cedarville University, explained that you have to look deeper into the situation to see that the appeal of these styles of stories comes from the fact that everything presented is virtual. Playing or watching interactive stories gives you the feeling of responsibility and accountability without having actual stakes. "They're not actually selling you personal responsibility, they're selling you virtual responsibility," Kira said. The paradox isn't actually a paradox at all because while our society is still moving away from personal responsibility. we want the feeling and the gratification of choices that pay off or the projected regret of a choice that doesn't actually come with the actual consequences. It's that feeling of wanting to play God in these stories, the idea of wanting to be ultimately responsible for our own fates without having to face the consequences of wrong choices. Are interactive stories inherently Fall 2022 Image of "Spec Ops The Line" courtesy of 2K Games dangerous, then? Well, not exactly. As Kira continued to explain, these stories aren't the problem. but our culture and our personal views are. These stories with their reliance on choice and virtual responsibility can fuel the fires of a society that desires no real personal accountability, but if we approach them in the right way, they can also do the opposite. If we approach these stories with a Christian worldview lens, whether they're games or a movie, we can analyze the themes and concepts they wish to impart to us in comparison to our beliefs. There is truth we can extract truth about morality and choice, responsibility, and owning up to our actions, and we can actually apply these to our own lives instead of using them to gratify a cheap imitation of accountability. If we use the themes they teach to challenge us to continue to make right choices, to continue to take responsibility for our own actions, and to continue to meditate on our own worldviews on free will and morality, then there is worth to be found in interactive media after all. Gen i<onuch is a sophomore strategic cornmunications student and an AuE •,vriter for Cedars. He en,'oys getting sucked into good stories, playing via·eo garncs and (ailing horribly at volleyball 'Nith his i'riends. CID.1l5 19
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