Tactical Media as Virtuosic Performance Reading Questions

1. What Wikipedia said:

"Tactical media is a term coined in 1996, to denote a form of media activism that privileges temporary, hit-and-run interventions in the media sphere over the creation of permanent and alternative media outlets."

Where as Raley describes tactical media as “forms of critical intervention, dissent, and resistance” that can “manifest in virtuoso performance rather than extrinsic product.” Raley also explains it as “new media work that is at once aesthetic design, intellectual investigation, and political activism.” Raley emphasizes the role of dissent in the artist as activist through campaigns of “little tactics” versus “bold strategies." These "little tactics" are often not responded to as just "little tactics" but as forms of terrorism or events that serve extreme consequences. How do you view purpose of digital media? Does it always have a happy ending? Is it never supposed to? Where do you draw the line between agitation and promotion or education? Do you believe social media has changed how the world views, shares  and responds to tactical media? Has this change "shifted the nature of power" as Raley mentions?

2. We're all nerds here. So, what kind of controversy could I start when I suggest that many, if not most, videos games are all a form of tactical media. A few games like America's Army and TuboFlex are both introduced as effective forms of tactical media. Are there any games in particular you can think of that fit Raley's definition of tactical media as mentioned above? How do you view "hacktivists?" This also begs the questions of whether fine art is neglected in tactical media. With video games and interactive media, has the world become more challenging to approach with political ideas that fine art has been removed from the equation?

Pussy Riot: Punk-Prayer "Virgin Mother of God, put Putin away"

(chorus)
O Virgin Mother of God, put Putin away
?ut Putin away, put Putin away
(end chorus)
...
Black robe, golden epaulettes
All parishioners crawl to bow
The phantom of liberty is in heaven
Gay-pride sent to Siberia in chains

The head of the KGB, their chief saint,
Leads protesters to prison under escort
In order not to offend His Holiness
Women must give birth and love

Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!
Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!

(chorus)
O Virgin Mother of God, become a feminist
Become a feminist, become a feminist
(end chorus)

The Church?s praise of rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
A teacher-preacher will meet you at school
Go to class - bring him money!

Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, better believe in God instead
The belt of the Virgin can?t replace mass-meetings
Mary, Mother of God, is with us in protest!

(Chorus)
O Virgin Mother of God, put Putin away
?ut Putin away, put Putin away
(end chorus)