Post #291137

One of the strongest forces that pull people so deeply into fiction is its sensational delivery of the illusion of surplus discovery; of amped-up surprise. On an intellectual level, we know fictional stories aren't occurring in our own world. But when we're immersed in fiction, it does tend to feel like we are there, wherever it is taking place. Thus, fiction often feels substantial enough to excite us though the joy of apparently easy discovery...easy surprise...easy learning. The key word is "easy." No real risk and no real stress, but very heightened schema-forming. It comes from the comparatively unusual, new-seeming things we typically observe happening in fiction. With regard to characters, plot, setting, conflict, and so forth. Such arresting #novelty is naturally attractive, however illusory much of it is. That is: as long as the fiction doesn't cross a line toward being too challenging or revelatory to deal with. In which case the "easy" factor would be undermined. Probably turning away a lot of the audience. 🦸 💏 🕵️ 🧚 🥷 #escapism