roboticphish

Big picture question:

Do you perceive video games as an artistic medium? If so, does this necessarily mean that making a game with the intent to keep a company afloat is artistically destructive? If not, what worth do video games actually have?

It did and it didn't. What it tells me is that you, just like me, don't really know where the line between art and money really exists. It's a hard question, I just wanted to hear your thoughts on it.

For the record, you've played it perfectly. You've been persistent without being annoying, and I actually have a genuine interest in the show that I didn't have before. Part of this is because Mr. Tambor also answered what I wanted to hear: inside info on AD. Good job and ONE has a new supporter!

Hello, thank you so much for your amazing work! Planet Earth II's "Cities" episode is perhaps my favorite episode of television I've ever seen in any genre. I show it to friends and family and it caused a re-evaluation of several of my beliefs about environmentalism and the future of the movement.

I have two questions regarding it.

1) Is it possible or likely to get more BBC content similar to this? As in, a focus on animals in cities and the people existing as a sideline to their stories? (also with Sir D.A. narrating, ideally)

2) Did the team have a goal or agenda in mind with that specific episode, and what about it were you or the team most proud of?

Thank you so much, Planet Earth is a phenomenal series and I'm so excited you released more of it!

People aren't acting like they're fascinated with the idea, they actually are fascinated by the idea. It's like you said, the ability of people to ignore the terrible things as long as they aren't directly in their consciousness? Guess what buddy, that's just good old-fashioned psychology at work.

North Korea is an absolute anomaly in the world. China may be another communist state, but it is a booming one. North Korea is hermetic, secretive, and so strange that it borders on insane. And it is crippled, a state failing behind a veil of Chinese/global support and a rigorous propaganda campaign.

And yet, the reason this dystopic little haven is so appealing as a story is because there are people living there. Every wondered just how it is the German people were talked into going to war with the world? Or how millions blindly loved Chairman Mao? You can see it all played right in front of you here. Hitler's dead and his malice exposed. Mao died ages ago and the party has moved on. But North Korea has undergone two dramatic changes in leadership (let's remind ourselves that KIS and KJI are revered as gods) and is still kicking. Most of us (thank god) will never actually live in a society such as North Korea.

So it's not like we're forgetting about the gulags. It's not like we're forgetting that most of North Korea is a stinking shitheap. But rather, it's actually fascinating to people like myself that North Korea is such a backwards, walled-off shithole and still exists. So, instead of focusing on the gulag aspect in this AMA (which clearly this dude doesn't have any new insights on), I'd rather hear about the North Korean people: what is it like to live under that regime? How has living in that society changed their culture? That sorta shit.

Never, EVER criticize the simple curiosity of someone else.