418K views · Jun 17, 2011 · 2:58 · 15 HN recommenders · 20 mentions · discussed 2012–2026
A three-minute parody of Adam Curtis's documentary style, assembled from archive footage with his typical narration and leaps of logic.
Why Hacker News points people here: Recommended as the standard companion to any Adam Curtis film, since it lampoons the style and gives reasons to take his claims with skepticism.
“You should always acompany this documentary with a watch of this short little video.”HN comment, 2021
“You should always acompany this documentary with a watch of this short little video.”
Short video mocking Curtis's style with good points.
You should always acompany this documentary with a watch of this short little video. The Loving Trap ( this video ). It mocks adam curtis style while making some very good points.
“it's worth watching the parody video”
Short parody of Adam Curtis's documentary style.
If you're going to watch any Adam Curtis documentary, it's worth watching the parody video "The Loving Trap" this video
“This is better”
Parody presented as better than Curtis's films.
These are not good films. These are bad films. Adam Curtis is not a good film maker. Adam Curtis is a bad film maker. This is better this video
“(spoiler: it's a parody of Curtis's methods)”
Parody of Curtis's methods.
Have you seen "The Loving Trap"? this video (spoiler: it's a parody of Curtis's methods)
“See the following brilliantly observed parody for the reasons to take him with a pinch of salt”
Observant parody encouraging skepticism of Curtis.
That's his whole thing. His films typically come in three or four 60 minute sections. He occasionally does stuff like stage live action interactive theatre versions of his documentaries in abandoned warehouses. He once did a show with Massive Attack. So when he writes articles like this, it's him being restrained. See the following brilliantly observed parody for the reasons to take him with a pinch of salt: this video That said, he is one of my intellectual idols, however much he does enjoy gimmickry.
“I recommend this parody/critique”
Parody/critique giving context to Curtis's documentaries.
And if you're interested in Adam Curtis, I recommend this parody/critique: this video Not saying that Curtis's documentaries are without merit, just lending a little context.
“You can't miss this parody”
Parody of Curtis not to be missed.
Yes. I disagree with most of his points of view. Some of his statements are outright incorrect and a majority are at least questionable or wanting for references. In _The Trap_ he constantly uses the phrase "based on numbers" in a negative fashion, as if it were an inferior method of analysis. I find that particularly strange considering that if you just listen to his narrative without the images, there is no analysis and often no cogent argument. One argument, if I remember correctly, was that game theory should no longer be used as a tool because it was largely developed during the cold war, which is over now. And yet I'm utterly I'm fascinated by his movies. I probably (re)watch one every 2 months. Go figure. edit: You can't miss this parody: this video
“This spoof sums it up pretty well I think”
Spoof highlighting leaps of logic in Curtis's films.
It's easy to get sucked into thinking it all makes perfect sense but there's a few pretty big implied leaps of logic. This spoof sums it up pretty well I think this video
“its only 3 minutes long and rather amusing”
Three-minute amusing Curtis parody.
Obligatory. If you enjoy Adam Curtis, you should have a look at 'The Loving Trap of Pandora's Nightmares' - its only 3 minutes long and rather amusing. this video
“if you're a fan of his work watch 'The Loving Trap'”
Companion parody for Curtis fans.
It's on YT: link Also if you're a fan of his work watch 'The Loving Trap' this video Enjoy.
“This explains my latent feelings of the absurdity on screen rather well.”
Parody explaining absurdity of Curtis's on-screen style.
> this video LOL! I had paused Hypernormilzation on the mid point when it got to AI and the picture of the screen was a one of these guys [0] and I just had it that way and kind of wondered why I prefer to just hear his work as as podcast as I do other stuff rather than hyper focus on the screen. This explains my latent feelings of the absurdity on screen rather well. His documentaries have so much exposition that you can kind of look up the topics on your own as you go along to try and compare and contrast the facts as they're narrated, his work is probably my first foray with interactive TV. 0: link
“I'm glad this was mentioned, because i think it's hilarious”
Hilarious spoof of Curtis's films.
> Boone directed readers instead to a short online spoof of Curtis’s films by Ben Woodhams called “The Loving Trap,” which describes his work as the “televisual equivalent of a drunken late-night Wikipedia binge.” I'm glad this was mentioned, because i think it's hilarious: this video
“It hits the nail on the head”
Parody that hits the nail on the head.
You'll enjoy this parody then this video It hits the nail on the head (but I still enjoy Curtis' work)
“this parody hits it on the nail”
Parody that hits Curtis's style on the nail.
Why do you think its a joke? it seems you agree with me? Sure brits love to get drunk but their politics always seemed reasonable to me. I love the different subcultures the UK birthed and its heartbreaking how bad things are and are still going to get in the coming century. Downvote me if you must, wont change my personal (albeit uninformed) feelings. As for Adam Curtis i enjoy his work but this parody hits it on the nail: this video
“encapsulating his work”
Short clip encapsulating Curtis's work.
Adam Curtis? Commoditized?? You clearly haven't seen this short clip: this video encapsulating his work.
“a good place to start exploring this visionaries ground breaking work...”
Adam Curtis is one of the most important documentary film thinkers of this or any other generation. Seminal. 'The Loving Trap' (2011) is a good place to start exploring this visionaries ground breaking work... this video Why is this on hacker news?
“This is a short story about the rise of the Collageumentary, And how the medium swamped the message”
Quotes the parody's opening line.
"This is a short story about the rise of the Collageumentary, And how the medium swamped the message" The Loving Trap this video
“obligatry response whenever anything by Adam Curtis is offered up”
this video obligatry response whenever anything by Adam Curtis is offered up. Sorry, I'm largely of the opinion that it is (well made) boomer-aimed catastrophe porn designed to give the viewer a smug sense of having "esoteric knowledge".
“...and, as a result, Thabo Mbeki was swept to power” this video Love a good Adam Curtis documentary, especially when he throws light on obscure moments in history. Probably best not to hang your understanding of the world on the scaffold he constructs though.
A phrase also beloved of Adam Curtis, along with starting new sentences with conjunctions. "But this was a fantasy." this video
