Museletter — J23 Education

Part 5: The Origin Story

Read the passage carefully before answering the questions. Click any word to collect it. Click an underlined word to reveal its definition below.

Larry looked at Mr Globesmith absolutely aghast. No wonder he had been so upset! He knew Mesmer. But how, what had happened? What mad world was this where Giovanni Globesmith, a name that was in itself a revelation, and Milo Mesmer knew each other?

Globesmith sensed the unspoken question in Larry's silence.

"We went to the University of Godmanchester together," he said, wearily. Larry turned his chair fully to face Globesmith, a beacon of curiosity.

As it turned out, Globesmith had not always been a geography teacher. Globesmith had once been a content creator, desperate to spread what he had learned on his geology degree with a global audience. He had met Mesmer, a media studies student, in the Godmanchester Student Union Bar. Mesmer was a Media Studies student at Brainsville College on a Semester abroad. The two had collaborated.

"You and Mesmer worked together," Larry balked. He really couldn't get his head around it.

"Mesmer and I were once close friends," continued Giovanni, "and we both wanted to be successful. At one point Milo really believed in my content. But he was led by view count, like a shark to blood."

He looked mournfully at his toes.

"His content became more and more vibrant, more and more style, less and less substance. He wanted to include fewer facts, less delightful rock content. Sedimentary layers and tectonic plates gave way to click rate and ad revenue. I hated it. I couldn't bear to compromise on our values. But it had already gone too far. Our content had become meaningless. It was increasingly just algorithm fodder. I threatened him."

This was starting to sound more like the Globesmith Larry was familiar with.

Globesmith was suddenly overcome with emotion. A single tear trickled down his cheek. This is hard for me, it was only ten years ago. Larry was torn between sympathy for Globesmith and amazement that he was only in his thirties. Larry had always thought of him as a similar age to the rocks with which he was obsessed. Globesmith had regained his composure by now, ferociously wiping away the tear as if it were a wasp.

"I know what Mesmer is capable of," he said, "I know what he will do if he gets a big enough audience, how little regard he holds for the sanctity of the content creator's role. How important it is that we produce things of value, of import."

Larry frowned — he'd not really given much thought to how the content he watched was made, he just watched it. It was just there, something that existed, not something that was made. The youtubers were speaking to him and the viewers, not creating a film. He had never considered their responsibility.

"So then, sir, what shall we do?"

Word Collector

Click any word in the passage to collect it

Vocabulary

Click an underlined word in the passage above to reveal its definition here.

Section 1: What Happened?

Answer using evidence from the passage. Use full sentences where possible.

1

Where did Globesmith and Mesmer first meet, and what were they each studying?

(2 marks)
2

What had Globesmith originally hoped to achieve as a content creator?

(2 marks)
3

In your own words, explain what caused the breakdown of Globesmith and Mesmer's partnership.

(3 marks)
4

How does Larry react when he discovers Globesmith and Mesmer once worked together? Quote a word from the text to support your answer.

(2 marks)
5

What surprises Larry about Globesmith's age, and why is this significant?

(2 marks)
6

At the end of the passage, what does Larry reflect that he had never considered before?

(1 mark)

Section Total: _____ / 12

Section 2: Character Analysis

Explore the characters' feelings, values and motivations using the text as evidence.

7

How does the writer present Globesmith as someone who holds strong values? Use two pieces of evidence.

(3 marks)
8

What does the simile 'led by view count, like a shark to blood' reveal about how Globesmith views Mesmer's motivation?

(2 marks)
9

Globesmith 'ferociously' wipes away his tear 'as if it were a wasp'. What does this suggest about how he feels about showing emotion?

(2 marks)
10

What does Mesmer's note — 'Back off or I'll make you' — suggest about his personality? How does this compare with how Globesmith describes him?

(3 marks)
11

How does Larry's reflection at the end of the passage suggest he is changing as a character?

(2 marks)
12

Would you describe Mesmer as a villain, a rival, or something more complicated? Justify your answer with reference to the text.

(3 marks)

Section Total: _____ / 15

Section 3: Writer's Corner

Analyse the writer's craft, techniques and the effects they create.

13

The writer italicises the word knew in the opening paragraph. What effect does this create?

(2 marks)
14

Examine the sentence: 'Sedimentary layers and tectonic plates gave way to click rate and ad revenue.' What ideas are being contrasted and what does this suggest?

(3 marks)
15

The writer uses direct speech throughout the extract. How does this affect the pace of the passage and what does it reveal that narrative description alone could not?

(2 marks)
16

The phrase 'algorithm fodder' is a contemporary, digital-age expression in an otherwise literary passage. What is the effect of this mixing of registers?

(2 marks)
17

How does the writer use humour in this extract? Identify one example and explain the effect it has on the tone.

(3 marks)
18

How does the writer build sympathy for Globesmith across the passage? Consider at least two different techniques.

(3 marks)

Section Total: _____ / 15

Section 4: Writing Task

Writing Task — 30 minutes

Write about Mesmer's time at Godmanchester from his perspective. You might consider what drew him to Globesmith's ideas, how his ambitions began to change, and the moment he realised they wanted different things.

Focus on voice, motivation and the point at which your two characters' values begin to pull apart.

Big Ideas, Real Impact

Museletter 5