I know when I first read Lord of the Rings as a child I loved the conceit that this was human pre-history that Tolkien had found, not so much invented. All his talk about how this part of the tale came from the Red Book of Westmarch, and the like, simply delighted me.
When you want to dive into a fantasy world, you don’t want the fourth wall broken. That’s for The Princess Bride, or National Lampoon’s Bored of the Rings.
I had a similar response when told the same story about the War of the Worlds broadcast, Leanne. Total incredulity. But, given some of the absolute super-charged BS that people believe these days, I now find the hysterical response story more believable now than I did as a child.
You also reminded me of the opening sequence of the Coen brothers’ movie Fargo, where a caption appears over the screen that says “this is based on a true story”. When an interviewer asked them about this they were incredulous. And said something along the lines of “of course it’s not a true story. From the moment the film starts rolling, we’re in the world of make believe.” I found that fascinating. Because some people DID believe it was a true story. So at what point in the narrative do we suspend our disbelief?
I’m not sure you can take responsibility for other people’s credulity. Where ever you put a disclaimer, some people will believe the whole thing to be truth. Others will roll their eyes at the idea anyone could believe any of it is true. But they’ll both enjoy the story.
As a child (and even now) I was always generous with my suspension of disbelief (Mulder's "I want to believe" really resonates :)) and so when I first heard the radio broadcast (an LP recording), I remember thinking how terrifying it would have been to think it was real. And yeah, as has been commented, the lunacy some people believe to be true these days does nothing for my opinion of (some) human intelligence...so not a big stretch that the poor innocents of the day got swept up in it all.
I LOVE the 'this is an actual found historical document' conceit....I find them really transporting (see above re: I want to believe) and when done well add layers and layers of delicious depth. Of course, I *know* it's not real....or do I? :D....I think I could bang on at great length about the loss of sense of wonder in the world and how people are so cynical and suspicious on the one hand, and yet prone to hysteria over obviously fake news....*shakes fist*....suffice it to say, I'm thoroughly ready to immerse myself in the magic. :)
I know when I first read Lord of the Rings as a child I loved the conceit that this was human pre-history that Tolkien had found, not so much invented. All his talk about how this part of the tale came from the Red Book of Westmarch, and the like, simply delighted me.
When you want to dive into a fantasy world, you don’t want the fourth wall broken. That’s for The Princess Bride, or National Lampoon’s Bored of the Rings.
Good thought! Thank you!
I had a similar response when told the same story about the War of the Worlds broadcast, Leanne. Total incredulity. But, given some of the absolute super-charged BS that people believe these days, I now find the hysterical response story more believable now than I did as a child.
You also reminded me of the opening sequence of the Coen brothers’ movie Fargo, where a caption appears over the screen that says “this is based on a true story”. When an interviewer asked them about this they were incredulous. And said something along the lines of “of course it’s not a true story. From the moment the film starts rolling, we’re in the world of make believe.” I found that fascinating. Because some people DID believe it was a true story. So at what point in the narrative do we suspend our disbelief?
I’m not sure you can take responsibility for other people’s credulity. Where ever you put a disclaimer, some people will believe the whole thing to be truth. Others will roll their eyes at the idea anyone could believe any of it is true. But they’ll both enjoy the story.
Ok, I didn’t know that about Fargo ... not sure I want to know! It is what it is!
As a child (and even now) I was always generous with my suspension of disbelief (Mulder's "I want to believe" really resonates :)) and so when I first heard the radio broadcast (an LP recording), I remember thinking how terrifying it would have been to think it was real. And yeah, as has been commented, the lunacy some people believe to be true these days does nothing for my opinion of (some) human intelligence...so not a big stretch that the poor innocents of the day got swept up in it all.
I LOVE the 'this is an actual found historical document' conceit....I find them really transporting (see above re: I want to believe) and when done well add layers and layers of delicious depth. Of course, I *know* it's not real....or do I? :D....I think I could bang on at great length about the loss of sense of wonder in the world and how people are so cynical and suspicious on the one hand, and yet prone to hysteria over obviously fake news....*shakes fist*....suffice it to say, I'm thoroughly ready to immerse myself in the magic. :)