Cracked Bubble? Let’s fix it.

Published in

DST 3880W Section 2

5 min readOct 1, 2020

Bubble is an interactive narrative experience found on NFB Interactive Documentaries, an online digital platform that houses many different types of narrative experiences. Created in 2019, this interactive web experience, available on smartphone only, takes viewers far into the future world. Taking place in Montreal in 2050, viewers are placed in hostile environments as a result of increased climate change around the world. As a result of these environments, each human must survive for themselves in their own personal bubble. As the interactive experience goes on, viewers are presented with different challenges to complete as they travel throughout the urban city. Some of these challenges include wiping off their bubble from air pollution and smog or fixing a cracked bubble. However, by the end of the experience, it is obvious that one’s bubble cannot continue to operate under such harsh conditions. As the interactive experience comes close to an end, the viewer experiences the tragic events that occur when their own personal bubble can no longer sustain their life on earth.

Bubble takes a deeper look inside climate change and the environmental problems that continue to persist in our world. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has run simulations and models that suggest an increase of 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees fahrenheit) in global temperature as a result of elevated greenhouse gas emissions. This increased temperature would be in place by 2050 if nothing is done to reduce our current levels of greenhouse gases. The discussion surrounding climate change the environmental impacts that humans make is one that is extremely prevalent in today’s world. It is an important conversation and dialogue to partake in as humans who inhabit this planet. People’s own actions leave a larger footprint than one may think sometimes. Recognizing the way that human choice continues to impact the world on a global scale is an important aspect in order to begin to understand how problems, such as climate change, need to be addressed to correct the pressing issue.

This interactive narrative experience falls under one of Neese’s definitions of new media, particularly new media being defined as “using computer technology as a distribution platform.” This interactive experience cannot be found in print or in a book; it solely relies on technology in order to send its message to its audience. It particularly utilizes smartphones over a laptop or desktop computer. In the day and age that we live in, smartphones are constantly evolving and changing. Now, one’s smartphones are essentially a laptop at their fingertips so it makes sense that this interactive narrative can only be found on a smartphone. Smartphones connect the world globally; almost every person that I know has a smartphone that is on their person almost 100% of the time. It is easy to access information, share a story, or instantly satisfy oneself. If the narrative’s goal was to spread awareness surrounding climate change, a smartphone over a computer was a smarter choice because it is widely more accessible than a laptop per say.

As a result, the form of this narrative is important because it transports users in a future world that we might end up finding ourselves in one day. 2050, although 30 years away, is much closer than one might assume I would argue. It is extremely evident to see how the world has changed since 2000, when most of this generation was born. Technology has advanced, population has risen, and our environment has found itself with many challenges. What can happen in the next 30 years? People who oppose this argument might say that the world in 30 years will be one quite similar to our current one. They might not recognize that their actions have direct effects on the society around them. In response to that, I would argue that the world is constantly evolving, and we will find ourselves in a similar situation to Bubble if necessary actions are not taken, especially in regards to the climate.

The climate change and environmental debate is not new at all. This has been a topic of controversy for quite some time now; however, because of technology, the message might be more profound. Imagining this team utilizing a newspaper or book to convey the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions most likely would put many people to sleep. No one desires to read an extremely long and dense article over a topic or issue that they might disagree on. That is human condition. However, when this media is coupled with the use of technology, the entire game changes. Bubble heavily relies on technological advances to get its message across. The entire narrative is much more engaging and impactful when the viewer plays an active role in the story. They are able to understand more clearly how one’s actions affect the environment and surroundings around them. It utilizes computer’s technology of graphics and interactive viewer aspects as its distribution platform for its main theme and message. It would not be as impactful or long lasting if it were not for its unique and creative delivery method as it currently is.

Bubble is more than just a debate about climate change and the everchanging environment. It is a full interactive experience that brings viewers into the world that was created. It introduces viewers to what life could be like in 30 years and challenges them to look at their own physical footprint that they leave behind through their actions. It utilizes new technological advances in order to distribute its content. Users tap on their phone screen in order to work their way through the experience. As they continue to tap, the story gets deeper and deeper. At one point, pollution fogs their phone screen and users must wipe it off using their fingers. At another point, cracks appear on the screen and the user must tap and wipe in order to fix the cracks in their bubble. This is technology that would have not been widely available 10–15 years ago. As a result, this interactive narrative experience can we widely accessed by people across the globe.

Bubble raises awareness and brings clarity for people to open their worldview and look at their surroundings. Are they doing their own personal part in aiding the healing of the environment? Are they being held accountable for the choices that they make? One day, Bubble could become a reality. A reality in which people must fight for the lives, protecting their bubble in order to stay alive. However, if messages like this one are taken seriously and action is taken, greenhouse gases can be reduced allowing for a safer and cleaner environment in which the entire world is a breathable bubble, not something simply around one individually.

Cracked Bubble? Let’s fix it.

Written by Ryan Schnitker