Interactive media is pushing the boundaries of contemporary film.

A few weeks ago, we were encouraged to visit several websites promoting indigenous culture. When visiting the “Unikkausivut – Sharing our Stories” webpage of the National Film Board of Canada, I noticed an “Interactive” link at the top and found myself engaging in an experience known as “Bla Bla”.

I dare you to try it. It is so strangely compelling. I couldn’t help being drawn into the animation and had to explore by clicking just to see what would happen next.

This is game theory in its purest form. No instructions. Just subtle clues and the knowledge that the user will become impatient and will try “something”. And when you do try something, you can’t help trying something again.

When art or knowledge is presented in such a way, the audience is compelled to continue to “play” and engage in “experiential learning” which I believe is one of the central tenets to First Nations culture – the belief that that which is worth learning can be accomplished through situational experience.

Mel Burgess