"The camera relieves us of the burden of memory. It surveys us like God, and it surveys for us. Yet no other god has been so cynical, for the camera records in order to forget"
- John Berger
About this Quote
This quote by John Berger speaks to the power of the cam and its capability to capture minutes in time. He recommends that the camera eases us of the concern of memory, as it can tape-record and save minutes that we may otherwise forget. He likewise suggests that the video camera studies us like God, as it can capture minutes that we may not even know. However, Berger likewise recommends that the electronic camera is a negative god, as it tapes in order to forget. This implies that the cam records moments that will eventually be forgotten, as the electronic camera is unable to store all of the minutes it captures. This quote speaks with the power of the video camera and its ability to record moments in time, but likewise to its restrictions in having the ability to store all of the moments it catches.
About the Author