While I generally agree with
Allyson in that casting scientific fiction as an exploratory tool for
anthropology may diminish the significant of it, I think that sensationalizing
anthropology is one of the largest ways that the field receives attention from
those not within it. Yes, data read from archeological dig records, or read
from interview transcripts are the closest you can get to actual fact, but the
general public has no interest in this at all. Even other anthropologists
prefer reading the more colorful final product that is published ethnographies.
As pathetic as it may seem, I think
somewhat fictionalizing stories about culture is the most prolific way of
getting the information to the widest group of people possible. Granted many
sensationalized accounts will not present the information well, or may create
stereotypes that are either not true or over endorsed (Merchant of Venice for
example), but other accounts many actually educate people in an entertaining
way.
A fair example of this might be the
presidential debates, which, although I also watched fully in real time, have
been “songified” on YouTube. (While not strictly categorized within
anthropological study, this example both touches on the issue of
sensationalizing facts and also deals with technology so I figured it fits!) A YouTube
channel summarized each of the three debates in a three-minute video/song that
splices together the key moments and sound bites of each candidate. While I, in
no way mean to advocate watching these videos and basing your vote (next week!)
on them, they do highlight the key points. Yes, these videos are meant somewhat
as a parody of each candidate’s character and yes they were probably made with bias,
but I imagine that a handful of the two million viewers that they received did
get some form of education from them. Plus there is no question that they are
somewhat entertaining.
This analysis is definitely a
stretch, and I acknowledge that. The issues we will be voting on are much
deeper than a video can represent, just as most themes in anthropology are much
deeper than a sensationalized or fictionalized account can present, but I would
not want to dismiss all value in these accounts.
If you are interested, here is the link to the video.
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