The Cultural Algorithm

HBO Max, the newest incarnation of the channel’s popular streaming platform, has removed “Gone with the Wind” (1939). This, the company claims, is because it portrays “ethnic and racial prejudices” that “were wrong then and are wrong today.” The film, based on the Margaret Mitchell novel set during the American Civil War, is about a slave-owning family who retain the loyalty of their slaves after the war has ended and slaves are freed. It was first released to streaming in March 2020. “The movie had the very best talents in Hollywood at that time working together to sentimentalize a history that never was,” said John Ridley, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “12 Years A Slave.” Hatti McDaniel, who played Mammy in the film, was the first black actress to be nominated for and win an Academy Award for her role. The movie won 10 Oscars and was one of the highest grossing films of its time. But does that make it a staple of American filmmaking, or is it time to take a long, hard look at what is allowed on streaming platforms? “Gone with the Wind” stands high on the Rotten Tomatoes scale at 91%, and has a G rating. This means it has been deemed acceptable for audiences of any age. By removing it from their streaming platform, HBO Max is not only calling out a film that “glorifies the antebellum south,” but is raising an important question about how films are rated. In his Los Angeles Times op-ed , John Ridley asserts, “I would just ask, after a respectful amount of time has passed that the film be re-introduced to the HBO Max platform along with other films that give a more broad-based and complete picture of what slavery and the Confederacy truly were.” “At a moment when we are all considering what more we can do to fight bigotry and intolerance, I ask all content providers review their libraries and make a good-faith effort to separate programming that might be lacking in its representation from that which is blatant in its demonization.” Some have strongly protested HBO’s actions and proclaimed their support for the film by propelling its DVD edition to the top spot on the Amazon’s online sales charts. Megan McCain, TV host, expressed shock and dismay at HBO’s decision, tweeting, “Are we going to pull all of the movies in which women are treated as sex objects too? Guess how many films we’ll have left? Where does this end??” According to Forbes, “Gone with the Wind” is not retired from HBO Max forever, but instead “temporarily removed…with the intent on returning it alongside contextual content.” The film is expected to return to the streaming service at a future date with an introduction from Jacqueline Stewart, a Turner Classic Movies host and professor in the Department of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Chicago.

According to PWC's M&E outlook for 2018-2023, the U.S. entertainment marketplace is expected to reach more than $825 billion. The report includes revenues from a wide range of sources, including global content creators (Disney, Warner Bros., Starz, CBS, AMC, etc.), multichannel video programming distributors (Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, etc.), digital stores (Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, etc.), and streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, etc.). In total, these segments represent approximately one third of global revenue in this category. This also considers increasing adoption of various access options, like AVOD, DTC subscription-channels, and SVOD. Given the paradigm shift away from traditional programming forms and access methods, it's hard not to wonder if there is such a thing as "nontraditional" anymore.

Flying DeLoreans, stolen plutonium, and pornographic magazines might seem like classic tropes from an episode of the adult animated science fiction sitcom , "Rick and Morty." But those images are from the 1985 film, "Back to the Future." The 1980s was an interesting time, particularly for movie goers. Are you hungry? You can have bowls of monkey brains for lunch in "Indiana Jones And the Temple of Doom." Do you enjoy animated musicals? Check out Jessica Rabbit's sensual performance in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" Are you looking for love? I hear ghosts are giving oral sex in "Ghostbusters." By today's age ratings standards, it's shocking these films were featured in theaters with a PG rating. Back then, audiences had a much different perspective on what they considered lewd and offensive.

There are many different video games to choose from, but they all must receive an age-appropriate rating before being sold. As with movies and television shows, parents want to know what they are purchasing for their children. Ratings help them know exactly what they are buying and how that content is consumed. So, it was surprising Nintendo Switch released the indie game “Do Not Feed the Monkeys” in North America with an “E for Everyone” rating.

Thailand is a melting pot of different people and cultures. At present, over 52% of the population resides in cities. Primarily a Buddhist country, about 94.6% of its citizens follow the Theravada tradition and the remaining 4.3% and 1.1% observe Islam and Christianity respectively . While Thailand is more open and welcoming than other Asian countries, it too, has points of cultural sensitivity. Presented below are a few examples of its conservative side. Respect for Buddhism Religious respect is deeply rooted in Thai culture. Buddhism and its belief symbols are revered, and any gesture of disrespect is unacceptable by person or in media. In 2015, the Thai Culture Ministry banned horror movie “Arbat” citing contempt for Buddhism. The movie depicted Thai monks engaging in misconduct including drinking, consuming drugs and having improper relations with women. Moreover, the Thailand Film Censorship Board stated that some scenes disrespected Buddha. This is not an isolated incident. Over the years, the Board banned several films it deemed disparaging to Buddhism and Buddhists. Political Sensitivity Thailand is quite politically sensitive and films with political content undergo cautious scrutiny in the country. Consider the 2012 film “Shakespeare Must Die.” This adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth was banned by the country’s culture minister citing it would “cause divisions between Thai people” due to its underlying references criticizing Thai politics and monarchy through characters such as a dictator named Dear Leader. In “Symmetry of Splendour,” the independent filmmaker did not release this film in Thailand in fear of government reprisals due to its references to the 1965 military crackdown, albeit it received critically acclaimed reviews around the world. Moral Sensitivity The film “Syndromes and a Century” also received global critical acclaim. However, the director, Apichatpong Weerasethakul pulled the release rather than comply with the Thailand Film Censorship Board’s demand that four scenes be cut. Those contentious scenes depicted characters kissing and using alcohol and Buddhist monks playing the guitar and with a remote-control toy. LGBTQ Representation The 2010 film about a transgender father, “Insects in the Backyard,” was banned for “violating the moral values of society.” This inspired the movie maker, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit to join politics and become the first transgender parliament member in the country. A seven-year-long legal battle for the movie’s release resulted in screening approval for audiences aged 20 and above after a three-second nudity scene was cut. Tanwarin Sukkhapisit also sought an amendment to the Film and Video Act to improve freedom of expression and better gender equality. Thailand is a place of majestic natural beauty with a vital and varied culture. While change is potent and inevitable, Thai citizens strive to maintain traditions and preserve their heritage as they enter each new era.

The Walt Disney Co. might be new to the streaming game, but it is not new to representing the LGBTQ community in its content. It's latest piece , streaming exclusively on its Disney+ platform, is called "Out."

Japan, famously known as the "Land of Rising Sun" is located at edge of the Asian continent. From China's perspective, it creates the illusion that the sun rises from Japan. Its citizens call their country "Nippon" or "Nihon," which literally translated means "source of the sun." Contemporary culture is a combination of influences from Asia, Europe and North America. Although for most of the population, Japanese is their first language, it's mandatory to study Japanese as well as English in school. The country is famous for its code of etiquette, rich culture, cuisine, cherry blossoms and its anime and movies.

Russian writer Yevgeny Zamyatin published “We” in 1921. The story follows the totalitarian society, One State, its architecture is made-up almost entirely of glass. The citizens are under mass surveillance and society functions strictly by logic and reasoning which justify the common law . The book is as contentious now as it was when it was released. The fallout after the novel circulated forced Zamyatin to move to Paris as his career in Russia was declared dead. He was blacklisted in his homeland. Though he eventually died penniless and in poverty, “We” is considered one of the greatest Dystopian masterpieces. So, what is it about Dystopia that makes people-particularly those in power-so uncomfortable? In many ways, Dystopian stories are political satires that explore possibilities of what can go wrong in that environment. In 2019, Netflix India released “Leila,” based on the book of the same name by Indian journalist and novelist, Prayaag Akbar. The story follows a woman named Shalini in her quest to find her daughter, Leila, kidnapped by a totalitarian regime. The regime known as Aryavarta is controlled by supreme leader, Doctor Joshi, who rules with an iron fist. People are segregated based on their religion and forbidden to mate beyond the confines of it. Those who do not obey the law are punished and children of those unions are forcefully taken away. The series contains considerable imagery and symbolism derived from Hinduism. So, it was not unexpected when far-right Indian organizations started striking out at the series, calling it ‘Anti-Hindu’ and accusing it of spreading #Hinduphobia, which went on to become a Twitter trend. “Leila” dares to ask uncomfortable questions. Netflix India’s horror offering, “Ghoul” released in 2018, follows characters in a not too distant future overtaken by sectarianism. In this story, words like ‘anti-national’ are used openly to label anyone daring to challenge the State’s authority. While the central plot focuses on the dark mysteries of one detention facility inmate, the sharp political jabs asserted throughout hit their mark. The world of “Ghoul” is one where intellectuals are routinely rounded-up, heckled and profiled. A time where literature is contraband and book burning the norm; a grim projection of what can be. The need for Dystopian content is now. When Yevgeny Zamyatin wrote “We,” sealing his own fate, he bravely set out to question Stalin and his policies. When objections are raised about a fictious regime in “Leila,” citizens ought to question why .

Singapore is the world's fourth strongest financial market with the highest concentration of millionaire households. Evolving greatly from its humble beginnings, the tiny island nation is one of Asia's richest and most robust countries. Singapore has the second highest per capita gross domestic product. A highly economically developed country, it hosts a rich cultural heritage. Tracing its roots back to the third century, Singapore has witnessed civilizations, wars, foreign occupation and liberation before finally emerging as a powerhouse.