The truth is not out there
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By WhatTheFoucault
- The truth is not out there
- Created: Apr 3, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
I’m sure many of us are familiar with post-modern thinking. If not, it the basic idea that there is no truth – or, if there was, because of our human limitations, we would never be able to discover it. For the post-modern thinker, life is about asking the questions, not supplying the answers. For the postmodernists, “truth” is fluid and ever-changing. No one is right; no one is wrong; our individual experiences are what counts. Nothing is black and white in the world of the post-modern thinker – life is various shades of grey.
I say all this because I believe Lost is a reflection of this post-modern era we find ourselves in. Many, many questions – very few answers. And even when we do get an answer, it’s sort of a half-answer. Are Paulo and Nikki really dead? How did Desmond travel back to 1996? Why was Libby in the psych ward with Hugo? I could list a million questions. How many “truths” could I list? Any?
People write theories, and I love reading them. But what if THIS was the point of the show? What if we never get answers? What if the act of gathering together and sharing our interpretations of truth was the goal?
Many people say they would be disappointed if “scenario A” or “scenario B” happened, but would you? Would a poor conclusion take away from the fun we’ve had learning and exploring together? See, this is post-modern thinking. The goal isn’t to arrive at truth, because truth is subjective. The goal is to engage in the dialogue. Who says a theory is right or wrong? The writers of the show? If you see them as the possessors of truth, then yes. But are we sure they are leading us to an ultimate conclusion where we are given all the answers? If not, then we are also socially constructing “truth” as we discuss Lost.
To me, that is the real fun of the show (and also the most frustrating part, because so many of us want the black and white answers – just ask many religious folks). The writers tease us – with thoughts that the whole thing could be in Hurley’s head, with hints at multiple timelines, with ideas of time travel, with purgatory, etc. What if they were all equally true and false at the same time? What if, in this post-modern world, the goal was to think critically and create our own story of Lost, instead of letting a couple writers give us all the answers? Now that would be interesting television because that would truly mirror life.
I totally agree Foucalt.
I would be far more disappointed with a poor conclusion than none at all. I have learned a great deal from both the program and it’s theorists. I also believe it has taught me to think more laterally or outside of the box (no pun intended).
The writers have clearly drawn on many many fables, mythology, experiments and people throughout history and that has defintly caused me to consider and read about subjects that i would have not done before.
So if that were to be the outcome then i can honesty say i wouldnt feel cheated.
I feel though that network execs and the people in charge would demand a conclusive ending. After all i’d hope they wouldnt have gone to this trouble to set up a weak ending as i know the majority of viewers are not as understanding as me.
+1
The advertising billboards for Season 4 have been (in the UK at least) emblazoned with the slogan: Answers Are Coming.
Maybe these are just modern advertising boards.
But what if they are on a post? Does that make them modern post advertising boards!
(I’m sorry. I wouldn’t actually post this, but I’ve amused myself with my word play. But I am sorry.)
I got caught up in the Matrix discussions and I have to say that when nothing was answered after the third fil I definitely felt that I had wasted a lot of time. Basically the whole Matrix / Buddhism / Bible / Philosophy thing was just a wind up.
I do not think Lost will be like that though. I think they had a storyline to start with and have answers to come. They have added the political infighting and power struggle thing in the middle though.
totally agree
truth is subjective and right and wrong sway from the perspective you view
I for one would be very upset if the show doesn’t have a satisfying ending. Lost is a story, and a major part of that story is how it ends. All the issues in the lives of the Losties and Others may not be resolved in the end, but there better damn well be a conclusion that tells us what the island is, why Flight815 crashed on the island, why the Others and the Freighties do what they do, and who eventually wins. Otherwise Lost would be nothing more than an exercise in mental masturbation.
LMAO DCLostie - mental masturbation. I like that!! I am gonna have to use that sometime. Ogod my stomach hurts from laughing. Haha!!
I think it would be suicide if they didnt have an ending. Nobody would ever watch anything from them ever again. They wont do that. They wont answer ALL of our questions (there are just too many) or tie up ALL of the loose ends (again, just too many) but there will be a definite conclusion and most of it will make sense to us at that point, and not a second sooner.
I dont think the writers planned this thing for the purpose of our discussing and theorizing. I think they were just creating a show and had absolutely NO IDEA that it was going to blow up like this. I think they were totally shocked when it became a phenomenon and I can imagine the board meeting:
“Okay, um…yeah…this show is a lot larger than we anticipated. We better come up with something and FAST. Or these people will be severely P*SSED OFF!”
(excuse the language)
I love your optimistic thinking though, Foucault. +1 for that. I wish everyone could gain from their experiences in that way and not be so concerned with the definites - the black and white. BUT we (especially in the United States) are fast movers and slightly ego-centric. We dont do a lot of “stopping and smelling the roses” and dont usually (on a whole) seek to gain from our experiences on the way - we gain from the end result. Most humans do, I think.
Great post!
I like lost as a post modern take on a Midsummer Night’s Dream muddled by the Satanic Versus idea of images taking place on the fall during a plane crash.
Appolobar - that is so funny. I had once used the same analogy of an imaginary meeting between the creators…”Oh, cr@p…they really like the show…we better come up with something fast!…”