Hey blog, let's contemplate some culture
Lyotard brings up interesting ideas about modernity and post modern culture. Can modernity ever truly be achieved? Modernity only exists as an idea but once that idea becomes reality it is no longer modern. By chasing modernity you enter a never ending cycle and I think this process is why consumerism exists. People are willing to purchase a new iPhone every year because of the idea of modernity. Consumers want the most modern product because it must mean it's the best. Although every purchase is only new and interesting for the first month or so, then it's back to regular. The buzz of modernity allows consumers to keep consuming endlessly.
"...so-called realistic representations can no longer evoke reality except as nostalgia or mockery" (40)
This quote is very interesting to me because there is no way to truly relive the past. Once you experience something you never will truly feel that same emotion towards it, even if someone tries to perfectly replicate it. An example would be if someone tried to recreate Woodstock in today's age. Even if you perfectly replicated the event, none of the emotions that made it feel real would be there. Nostalgia only serves as a memory rather than the ability to relive it.
I thought it was interesting the thought of believing in the referent leads to fantasies of reality. By believing in media that is made like films, we begin to believe that our reality could be just like these films. By seeing those pieces of media we wish for a fantasy reality. You can relate this to places like Magic Kingdom in Disney World, where it's a fairy tale come true. Humans are able to take a break from our reality and enter a fantasy world they've always seen but never experienced.
Sarah Hussey
ReplyDeleteCritical Frameworks Comment Blog on 11/28
Dear Colin Cultural Contemplation,
I love anything Lyotard! Especially the quotes you chose! Let’s talk some more about them! Starting off with:
"...so-called realistic representations can no longer evoke reality except as nostalgia or mockery" (40)
You mentioned that fact that there is “no way to truly relive the past” which is a concept I want to dive into a bit. I completely agree with you on how you can never re-experience the same emotion, only try to replicate it. Thus, when I think of nostalgia as a word I often associate it with childhood—reminiscing through memories.
Back to the point, we try to relive the past through making media.
You mentioned how we create films and these films won’t ever truly replicate a memory we once lived. I strongly agree with this and it is interesting to see how often humans chase the idea of reliving past, whether good or bad. We create films that focus on war and serial killers more so than films that focus on the good times in history.
Lyotard believes that modern societies rely on “grand narratives” also known as metanarratives as a way of seeking answers to how we live and explain the system that exists. I believe making media, such as films, is a way, as a society we have begun to process past events such as Wars in hopes of truly understanding it. Metanarratives such as religion are created as a way for humans to cope with life, isn’t media trying to do the same? We are putting information out there for humans to asceses. We put our thoughts online to seek validity from others or maybe even ourselves. I think the media has turned into a narrative to which we are heavily relying on universally as a society and will continue to do especially as technology advances.
I really enjoyed your blog, Colin! It gave an interesting perspective on Lyotard and these representations on the media.
Signing off,
SarahSlays