Fictive Reality

Unit: Professional Writing and Presentation 212 - Fakes, Frauds and Fictions
Journal Week 3 (yes, getting in early this week) based on readings and lecture.

So, what exactly is the difference between fact and fiction? Increasingly, I am finding that there is very little separating the two. Going on from literature studies last semester, and the proposals of CIT throughout the last two years, you could say that even reality is nothing more than a fiction, a cultural construction.

Eventually, through study, this becomes a pretty normative mode of thought, to the point that none of us can watch movies for enjoyment anymore, alas. But, I was surprised to realise, when I was finally made to stop and think about it, that the blurring between fact and fiction in cultural narratives is far more obvious than CIT subtleties. For sure, we've all looked at photos and argued over whether or not its real or staged, but then the question arises as to why it was staged. Its disturbing when you realise that it wasn't simply to portray a pretty picture, but used as a mode of propaganda. The readings refer to the arguments arising over Capa's Death of the Republican Soldier photo and its authenticity. Stopping to wonder why on earth it could possibly have been staged, it doesn't take long to realise that someone somewhere wanted that picture and the narrative behind it for some (devious?) reason.

Relate this then to writing. Last week we looked at the impact Norma Kuhri had on racial stereotypes. But why? It was all just an act anyway. You have to question how easy it is to become something you're not. And then, gods, you go back to cultural studies and remember that its all just an act in the first place. Man, woman, Australian or not, none of those means anything unless we want it to. And we use all of these things, these pre-existing narratives to imply, such as the Private Lynch incident built around the narrative put into larger perspective by Saving Private Ryan.

Readings
You know what? I can't be bothered finding the publishing exacts for the sole purpose of this blog right now. I read two things and went to a lecture. That will suffice.