This is an elegant explication of something that I, as a layman, have been aware of for years, as my interests in the arts and in literature deepened. I am so glad that you wrote it and I intend to purchase the book that led to this essay. I have tried to explain this to those that I speak with varying results; but none so elegant as those you have written. Coincidently, I have just published yesterday, a humorous piece that toys with this idea of cultural construction. I will possibly revise it in light of your writing experienced this morning. Would you consider looking at it and commenting if you have time? My second question, in light of your last paragraph about the importance of novels — do you have any sense of whether good film continues on that path — or not?
Please share the link with me. I’d love to read it.
As for films, no, I don’t think it’s the same. Movies can allow for a degree of interiority with characters, but nowhere near as much as a novel. We’re mostly outside the movie character watching what they do and making inferences, whereas in a novel we often have access directly to the character’s thoughts and emotions.
This happens on a continuum—some novelists do it more than others. Henry James, for instance, goes to the extreme with interiority. https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/henry-james-the-ambassadors-theory-of-mind But unless an author is intentionally shielding the reader from the thoughts of the character by leaving them out of the narrative, we’re apt to spend a lot of time in the head of another person.
I attended a business school reunion last year and over dinner a classmate said that he had no time to bother to read non-fiction. I pointed out that we were roughly the same age, but I had reached the opposite conclusion, and I had no time for anything but the best novels.
Interesting! I have been thinking a lot about free will lately and developing agency. I think I've seen too many adult breakdowns come from controlling childhoods, but a healthier evolution for those who were allowed to develop agency a bit more along the way. As a mom, I think about helping my kids learn how to think (rather than always telling them what to think).
"... that leaves room for free will—as a philosophical concept, yes, but more importantly as a simple, daily feature of being and feeling like ourselves."
Take THAT, Determinism!!-- shoo, shoo, get away!!
Neuroscience probably knew I'd leave this comment, but dammit, I'd like to think it was my own idea... 😠
This is an elegant explication of something that I, as a layman, have been aware of for years, as my interests in the arts and in literature deepened. I am so glad that you wrote it and I intend to purchase the book that led to this essay. I have tried to explain this to those that I speak with varying results; but none so elegant as those you have written. Coincidently, I have just published yesterday, a humorous piece that toys with this idea of cultural construction. I will possibly revise it in light of your writing experienced this morning. Would you consider looking at it and commenting if you have time? My second question, in light of your last paragraph about the importance of novels — do you have any sense of whether good film continues on that path — or not?
Please share the link with me. I’d love to read it.
As for films, no, I don’t think it’s the same. Movies can allow for a degree of interiority with characters, but nowhere near as much as a novel. We’re mostly outside the movie character watching what they do and making inferences, whereas in a novel we often have access directly to the character’s thoughts and emotions.
This happens on a continuum—some novelists do it more than others. Henry James, for instance, goes to the extreme with interiority. https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/henry-james-the-ambassadors-theory-of-mind But unless an author is intentionally shielding the reader from the thoughts of the character by leaving them out of the narrative, we’re apt to spend a lot of time in the head of another person.
I am listening to the book. Right now. Love it. Here is my link: https://substack.com/@patriciaandrewswa2/note/p-171427590?r=2xvff&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
If you have any thoughts about this incomplete work, please let me know. Thank you.
Just had a chance to read. Excellent. I left a comment in the post. Please keep writing on this!
I attended a business school reunion last year and over dinner a classmate said that he had no time to bother to read non-fiction. I pointed out that we were roughly the same age, but I had reached the opposite conclusion, and I had no time for anything but the best novels.
I find my tastes have significantly changed in the last few years. I’m also reading more fiction than ever. It’s life-giving.
Interesting! I have been thinking a lot about free will lately and developing agency. I think I've seen too many adult breakdowns come from controlling childhoods, but a healthier evolution for those who were allowed to develop agency a bit more along the way. As a mom, I think about helping my kids learn how to think (rather than always telling them what to think).
Yes! I totally agree about raising kids. Answers are not as important as how you find them.
"... that leaves room for free will—as a philosophical concept, yes, but more importantly as a simple, daily feature of being and feeling like ourselves."
Take THAT, Determinism!!-- shoo, shoo, get away!!
Neuroscience probably knew I'd leave this comment, but dammit, I'd like to think it was my own idea... 😠