Weezy27/ postclass 2-18

In class we were asked to answer the question: “Does reality actually outstrip fiction?” My answer to this question was “definitely. “ When it comes to the media we are desensitized to things such as violence, objectification of women, racism, and other common themes we encounter daily. However, once we begin to see these things off the television screen and in real life we are usually more emotionally affected than we would be just seeing these things in a fictional environment. For example, each day we come across advertisements which objectify women both sexually and physically, yet, we are not affected by the sight. However, when we see a woman molested or raped in real life that’s not okay. Another example is violence and bloodshed. These two things are commonly seen on many video games, television shows, movies, and even cartoons. Again, these things are fine to watch on TV yet, unbearable in real-life situations. So the question is “Why are people okay which watching these things on TV, if in real life these themes are considered catastrophic?”

Fiction is something bearable in someone’s mind because it is not “real,” it is considered “the impossible” when people watch it on television. Therefore, when a real life situation or experience arises with these things that we never thought could happen (9-11, Columbine) we tend to be affected more personally. As opposed to in fictional circumstances in which we are not affected at all. Reality outstrips fiction because of the affect it has on people personally and emotionally. Fiction, as long as it is considered “the impossible,” is something that is okay because we are most times unaffected, or at least never affected to the extent of if a bad situation were to actually happen. We have the power in our minds to decide between what we want to believe as real and what we want to believe as fiction. However, once reality sets in, fiction is completely overshadowed.