While I believe that escapism has value (Kavalier & Klay?) it is an avoidance, or denial of real-world problems. It tends to be reactionary- just the opposite of whatever you're escaping from. Which is about as original and worthwhile as a teenager's goth phase. Invention is the creation and solving of new problems. It has the capacity to surprise, while escapism tends to be reassuring and comforting by design. The moment where you have to blink and take in a new idea is something that shoud be cherished and sought after. But I can't speak for Zak, and I really don't know what I'm taking about.
I agree that fantasy encompasses those two things, but disagree escapism is stupid. In fact I think it's one of the best things, maybe the best thing, that art in general and fiction in particular can do. But this is one of those eternal and unwinnable argument things I think.
Escapism is actually as complex as many other things that are considered stupid. Like comic books or D&D. There are the stupid parts and there are the awesome parts. *shrugs* Figures.
I disagree.
ReplyDeleteSo in your reasoning what would that make invention in the service of escapism? Awesome stupidity?
ReplyDeleteCan you tell us your arguments for escapism being stupid?
ReplyDeleteWhile I believe that escapism has value (Kavalier & Klay?) it is an avoidance, or denial of real-world problems. It tends to be reactionary- just the opposite of whatever you're escaping from. Which is about as original and worthwhile as a teenager's goth phase.
ReplyDeleteInvention is the creation and solving of new problems. It has the capacity to surprise, while escapism tends to be reassuring and comforting by design. The moment where you have to blink and take in a new idea is something that shoud be cherished and sought after.
But I can't speak for Zak, and I really don't know what I'm taking about.
I agree that fantasy encompasses those two things, but disagree escapism is stupid. In fact I think it's one of the best things, maybe the best thing, that art in general and fiction in particular can do. But this is one of those eternal and unwinnable argument things I think.
ReplyDeleteEscapism is actually as complex as many other things that are considered stupid. Like comic books or D&D. There are the stupid parts and there are the awesome parts.
ReplyDelete*shrugs* Figures.
Are you aware of Jeff Rients' Threefold Model?
ReplyDeleteI think much of my gaming life--hell, much of my life--has been spent trying to find that sweet spot in the middle of Retro, Stupid, and Pretentious.
Adam
Categorical statements are stupid.
ReplyDelete& Irony is awesome.
ReplyDelete