Primary Directive

[DrRita]

Hey guys,

There's been little talk or discussion (to my knowledge) about the suspension of disbelieve so I decided to write a short article about it and it's posted in the articles section. But I wanted to open up a discussion here about this as it seems we need to be true and forthright with new writers about this sort of set-in-stone principle that holds our feet to the fire when it comes to writing "outside the box" so to speak.

Here's a link to the article in Wikipedia about it which explains it much better than I can.

Suspension of Disbelief (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_disbelief)

So what say ye???

[tlm]

Very good article. I like the idea of suspension of disbelief as being a contract between the viewer and writer. I never thought about it that way before.

Further, inconsistencies or plot holes that violate the initial premisees, established canon, continuity, or common sense, are often viewed as breaking this agreement.

I love the Superman and his glasses reference. I faithfully watched the old B&W shows, but even as a kid shouted at the TV to Lois and Jimmy, "Just take off his glasses!"

I had never thought that Suspension of Disbelief would depend on your audience--but that makes perfect sense. As a science teacher, I have little tolerance for movies that break obvious scientific principles. That is why I can't sit through an action film--though I do accept the ending to Jaws, even though it is probably scientifically impossible to blow up a shark in that manner. I suspend my disbelief because the writing is so very good otherwise.

[pajarita_deDios]

It seems like things should go smoothly, as long as the writer sets and sticks to their premise, and the reader is willing to be pulled in, it's great. The only problem with that can be, although the writer may have done her/his job amazingly, there will always be some that just refuse to be pulled in (or as in the case of tlm, understand enough about the subject to notice mistakes, or impossibilities).

For instance, with "anime", I can't be pulled into it. Everything about my personality and belief system rejects the idea of sitting and watching little cartoons in skimpy dress fight to the death, I couldn't take it seriously if I wanted to! (excluding the two years I was into sailor moon as a child, of course, I didn't believe it then either, lol)

[DrRita]

Thanks Toni. I used to wonder sometimes why people couldn't see the similarity between Clark and Superman! But I loved the show anyway.

pararita, I understand what you mean. I think the reader has to first have an interest or desire to enter the writer's world. I don't care for romance novels and do not wish to enter that world.

[paulchernoch]

Ah, but the glasses are merely symbolic of how strength can be concealed through feigned weakness. The glasses were merely the visible token representing the whole range of actions taken by Clark: timidity, cowardice, clumsiness, soft-spokenness, posture, etc. It is all about misunderstanding people because we take their surface persona to be who they rally are. We love masks. Even King David played the fool to save his life.

- Paul

[tlm]

Paul,
Is that why I always thought guys with glasses were so sexy? Was I brainwashed early by the Superman TV show?:eek:

[DraperJC]

The glasses thing and the attitudes behind it were done woderfully by Christopher Reeves but not so good in the TV show.

[Lookin^Up]

I'm thinking of the New Adventures of Superman episode where Tempus, a criminal from the future, goads Lois with the idea that people call her "galactically stupid" for not recognizing Clark as Superman sooner. She had to get a tender cheek caress from both to figure it out, but in an earlier episode the same thing had been done and she had missed it. Thinking it through logically, I'd have to agree with Tempus; but for the sake of the fantasy, I'm willing to suspend belief and take her side, anyway.