The CODE-X series catalogs a vast codex of source codes (aka “signs”) extracted from past audits.

The object of study in semiotics is not the signs but rather a general theory of signification; the goal of each “audit” is to build a model demonstrating how meaning is produced and received within a category or cultural territory. Signs on their own, therefore, only become truly revelatory and useful once we’ve sorted them into thematic complexes, and the complexes into codes, and the codes into a meaning map. We call this process “thick description”; the Code-X series is thin description.

“REVENGE IS MINE” NORM: Outside of a social order, there is no just retribution… only malicious retaliation.

“REVENGE IS MINE” FORMS: Heroes seek to avenge social wrongs… but villains and antiheroes seek revenge. Of course it’s not always so clear-cut… the viewer is left to decide whether the violence we’ve just seen was justified. Often the revenge mirrors exactly the transgression; but sometimes the revenge is far worse, over the top. Over the top: Will Munny in Unforgiven: “Any sumbitch takes a shot at me, I’m not only gonna kill him, but I’m gonna kill his wife, all his friends, and burn his damn house down.” A perfect statement of malicious retaliation.

From a 2024 study of the PREDATOR (defined as: rebellious and unorthodox, rewriting the rules to suit yourself) territory within the American West space — as surfaced from movies, TV shows, and videogames. Semiovox collaborated with Ramona Lyons.