There is a certain extent to which I would disagree with Lyotard and his argumentation that we feel that what we see should represent reality. While I think that this is most definitely true in some aspects, for example the picture of the ad for the hamburger. When we see something in an advertisement we want it to look exactly like reality, and often times will be upset if, or rather when it does not. How many times have one of us ordered something offline and have been sorely disappointed when we’ve gotten it in the mail because it looks nothing like what we expected?
But I also challenge this notion in our culture, in that what we want to see is a hybrid reality. Something that is crafted just for us, which we realize is inherently un-real but often will desire it more because of that. The whole entertainment industry is based on this. If you approach ten people and ask them if they think the reality TV shows are “real” I would feel that most of them would say no. But it doesn’t make for good television to say something is completely fake, because then the audience cannot relate at all.
As a result I think that this does support his later point where people begin to confuse what is “really real” as opposed to the construction. If we know that most of it is constructed, but have that “real” persona attached it can most certainly blur the lines of understanding. Think of how many movies support the creation of a false reality but push the envelope and intentionally blur the line for their consumers. The Blair Witch Project is something that comes to mind. One of the first movies to use viral marketing extensively it created a whole world for the Blair Witch to reside in, and a real feeling to a fake movie. All of this added to the movie’s popularity because there was a time where it was unknown if it was a movie, or the collected film of three lost children who went into the woods and encountered an unfortunate fate. We wanted something I think that we all knew had to be false to be real, and I just question, why do we have this desire?
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Rico72's response to this comment (late post for the end of the week of 2/8)
I really liked how you brought in the notion of user generated content. I think this plays a huge part in our society today. We now have the technology were we can create our own realities and almost live in them. Second Life is the perfect example of this. Users can go online, create their own appearance and personality. They can go to stores to shop for clothes and other items, and meet new friends. People could spend entire days on this program.
Another example of this is World of Warcraft. Although I have never played the game, I know people who do and they say it is very addicting. Although you aren't in a "realistic" world, it still is user generated content. The character customization is almost endless.
This is one of the key components to post-modernism. Myspace is the perfect example of how much people love user-generated content. It was the number 1 visited site on the internet the last few years (I am not up to date on this so I can't give you current statistics). Youtube has thousands of videos (maybe even millions at this point).
The concept of reality TV shows that bring the viewers into it is another example. Viewers can vote which contestants should stay and go.
One example I am familiar with is the new website for the video game Call of Duty. You can create your own profile and badge and share it with others. The website provides a huge forum for games to connect with one another and talk about what they like and don't like about the game for next years edition.
Finally, the new movie format Blu-Ray is offering user generated content. Now when you buy movies, you can create your own video commentary on your favorite scenes (or the whole film) and upload it to the internet for others to watch. Technology is driving us to become more independent.
So if what we see or create represents reality, do we control our own reality?
Good post. You state your own personal opinions which is great. Your ending question about why we have the desire for things that are fake to be real is very intriguing. We will study a theorist later on in the course that has similar thoughts on this matter.
-Starfish
Rico72. Although your post in late your response to Trapnest is well done. You use some very unique examples.
-Starfish
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