Ace Ventura, Derrida

Derrida's discussion of differ, difference, and differance was very confusing but maybe simple at the same time if I understood it correctly. To me, it seems as though he was saying even though differing represents an inequality and distinction, there is still a relationship there that must be represented between two words or meanings. This reminded me of the langue and parole, all the words there are to choose from, and the one word we actually choose to represent the meaning that we are trying to convey. Words or signs are not only given meaning by what they are, but their meaning is also created by everything they are not. This is the case with difference and differance. Their meanings can be vastly different but it is only shown by the change of one later "a" and "e". Derrida also seemed similar to Baudrillard's idea of simulacra. A word or sign that is different from another still simulates another meaning by showing what it is not. For example, the color white can also simulate the idea of the color black because they are considered to be opposites. This negative correlation is very important when considering individual interpretations of signs. White and black are very readily identifiable as opposites, but other more ambiguous signs could have many opposites when they are being considered by different people. So recognizing that differing creates a relationship between two or more things gives depth to it's meaning(s). Rather than only looking at a signs superficial interpretation (Jameson), that is only seeing it for what it is on the surface, the difference gives a deeper meaning by representing all the things it is not or can not be.