Is this fear of reading fiction justified?

Question

I fear when reading a fiction that my reality orientation will get affected. For example, I like my facts to be straight! I would think that if I were to read fiction, one after the other, I would need to take a break and research the "facts" presented in the narrative. That would take up alot of time, especially if time if pressed.

I thought then, I would probably do not too bad with Michael Crighton's Next, since it has to do with science, but I am not all too updated on the reseach in regards to genetic advances, so I feel I can't read it unless I research first.

Is this sort of fiction avoidance justified?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say so.
I realise, this may be starting far from the point of your question, but allow me to elaborate.
If it were advisable to research every piece of information we come across, we would have to avoid coming out to of the house. Worse yet, we would do better to stay in bed all day long. The world is full of things that can be researched, even a short walk through the city presents us with countless 'research opportunities' such as: architecture, sociology, arts, media sciences, physics, meteorology, astronomy, biology etc. It does not mean that everything we see and hear should be researched to be confirmed. In fact, if you go deep enough into physics and philosophy, you would find that most of everyday mundane events should not be believed or heeded as they contradict profound enquiries of common sense and logic (Xenon the greek Philosopher was especially good at demonstrating that. See his paradoxes of motion). But our lifespans are limited and we should devote ourselves toward the pursuit of only some knowledge and not all that is out there.
The main benefit of fiction lies not as much in the information it provides, for much of it is indeed bent to fit the goals of the author, as in the development of imagination of the reader and the opening of his mind to the existence of other modes of thought and philosophies than his own. Every good piece of fiction is a bit like a japanese koan - it grants enlightenment by simply stimulating the mind and imagination toward expansion. That is not to say one should not think about what he reads, that would be the worst kind of reading, but rather don't hit the shelves with science books everytime you finish or start reading a book of fiction. Rather consider the plot, the events, the protagonists, consider alternative situations and the human as vs. scientific motives of the protagonists and you will get a great benefit out of reading just one good fiction novel - imagination and increase in general wisdom and experience in life. In other words - fiction gives you in concentrated form life experience you would find difficult to get yourself due to limitations of time and lifestyle and it also gives a boost to your imagination. Hope this helps

Answer 2

Keep this in min next time you pick up a book, or next time you watch a movie.
ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY

Publishers and movie makers want to create books and movies that will sell. The best books and movies are the ones that deal with human emotions (other than the fantasy realm which seems to be more of what could be as its fascniation)

books and movies are best when they realy envelope the reader/viewer.
This means more sales, and more profit for them.

Understanding that, should bring about the idea that you are reading a product that is geared to generate as much income as possible.

Be the facts true or false, it doesnt matter.
Look at the DiVinci code.
clouded facts, but a nice story that got its job done. IT MADE MONEY.

It caused controvery that made it more money.

Was the facts absolutely correct?
No....but if thats what they wanted it to be, they would have made that into a documentary.

Theres no real money in documentaries, so they make a movie.

The problem is that too many people base their facts on what they see on tv, and in movies. thats just plain ol ignorant in the very meaning of the word.

Money is the bottom line.

Now, if you cant grasp that every novelist, and every movie maker is going to edit their work to make it as intrguing as possible to absorb you into there fantasy world for the sole purpose of making a profit then its you who have lost all sense of reality.

Theres nothing wrong with wanting to know facts.
Its when those facts or lack of consume you, is where the problems would arise.

You have a structured way of thinking -- well next time -- go to a cartoon. Or just like people who stay up at nights dont go to horror movies -- because all a horror movie is is a means to give people what they want in the best way that will keep their attention for 90 minutes. ultimately to make money.

So, maybe dram or contemporary fiction is not your cup of tea.
No problem - for there are thousands of works in different areas that will suite your taste and take you to that fantasy world they wanted to --
ALL INTENT ON MAKING MONEY SOMEHOW

To sum it all up -- loosen up some

Answer 3

I've never heard of a fear of fiction! You're certainly not obligated to read fiction. There is a lot of non-fiction out there...

The whole point of fiction (reading books, watching movies etc) is escapism. Suspension of disbelief. It doesn't have to have any basis in reality. Granted, many writers draw on their own experience, some novels are (albeit loosely) based on true events so there may be some reality within it, but some genres (fantasy for example) may have nothing to do with reality but they are entertaining nonetheless. Being transported into another world while reading or watching a movie should not affect your reality orientation unless you are susceptible to delusions, in which case you may want to talk to your doctor about medications that could help. As long as you know it's a work of fiction you don't have to read it as fact and you don't have to embark on time-consuming background research about it, unless that's what you're into or you have an essay due!

I would never research the "facts" within a novel, unless it was a subject that was particularly intriguing to me and I thought it would be fun to delve deeper into the subject (such as The Da Vinci Code, in reference to Opus Dei, The Knights Templar, The Holy Grail etc). Fiction that is based on actual events or organizations but takes artistic license with facts should certainly be seen as fiction & not taken as fact. If research would help you to make it more clear in your mind then feel free.

Read whatever you enjoy! Don't feel guilty about it. Real or not, a well-written piece of literature (or a good movie) is worth enjoying!

Cheers!

:)

Answer 4

It seems like an enormous waste of time to be a fictional fact checker. The book, if deemed fiction, is *fictional.* You need to take what you're reading with a grain of salt. However, if you are reading something published by a huge publishing house and/or by a well-known author, one or the other will do the fact checking. It may be fluid interpretations of history or science or whatever...but the general gist is there.

Answer 5

Your fear is justified if you truly doubt your own ability to sort through truth and untruth. An inability like that can be looked at as sad, but if you really need to safeguard your mental health in that way, then by all means do so. Of course, maybe it's not sad. By letting go of fiction, you'll be able to invest more time and energy into the real world, which is always stranger and more interesting, anyway.

Answer 6

Umm, I think you're being obsessive. Fiction is written so that we, the readers, have something to enjoy and distract us for a while. If you feel compelled to research something before reading a book so that you'll better understand it (and it's too time consuming) then stick to stuff you know OR read something that's so completely off the wall that you won't have to worry at all (like Douglas Adams, for instance- highly entertaining and you won't need to do any research, guaranteed)! Don't read fiction if you don't want to- who says you have to?

Answer 7

Go read a newspaper if it bothers you so much.

The whole point of fiction is to entertain. If it doesn't entertain you -- don't read it.

Jeez, if the whole "reality orientation" bothers you so much, do you ever watch a movie? Do you know that a lot of people here are just making up "unreal" answers and profiles?

Answer 8

Fiction is just that Fiction.... Reading is supposed to be for enjoyment , so if your not getting any enjoyment out of it try another type of literature to read, life is too short to spend all your time questioning something in a fiction novel....happy reading!

Answer 9

Reading the History of Ukrainian Tractors has both fiction and fact in the one book ,so you should be able to chill out.

Answer 10

Its understandable, but you cant fear fiction forever- reasearching them would take a lot of time. You need to learn to let you IMAGINATION run riot and not your fear of not knowing everything. When Winne The Pooh was written, it wasnt meant to be reaseached - when stephen kings writes a horror novel, you are supposed to put your feet up, relax and possibly have a cup of coffee next to you.

Seriously, you need to relax- lifes to short to wonder if Stephen Kings I.T. moster was real and if it was was it based on......blah blah blah.....

STOP AVOIDING LIFE, ONE DAY YOU MIGHT BE FICTION.......