VL-IV: Chap 9- Close-ups

[Mark Kohut]

Ah, Good...real differences of opinion for a good discussion....feeling my way here.
 
Yes, many documentarians DO ask the right questions but not fps in Vineland, I suggest. 
 
evidence bit #1 Read the paragraph when Frenesi says "Mm, in the short run," Frenesi guessed, "but to see injustice, etc..... ending with:  [She was] "aware at each moment of the lens gathering in her own image."
 
My case: TRP, so aware of the mediation of reality, so saturating this book with the simulacra of reality,
here says, I argue that Frenesi's vision is, almost literally, narcissistic...she sees HERSELF in the lens...
Why would OBA write that sentence.
 
A-And: p. 197 'A camera is a gun. An image taken is a death performed.".....Maybe some guns ARE good
in TRPs written world, but WITH these metaphors?......
 
I'll go way out on the limb you can all vote me off of.....[do post on the Differences of opinion, all, please?]
fps work is like TV pics at base..........entertainment for Thanatoids......
 
Mr. Often Wrong





 


----- Original Message ----
From: "kelber at mindspring.com" <kelber at mindspring.com>
To: pynchon-l at waste.org
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:58:26 AM
Subject: Re: VL-IV: Chap 9- Close-ups

If the media were responsible for getting us out of Vietnam, they were equally responsible
for getting us into Iraq, by basically rolling over and playing dead.  The media are composed
of individuals, who can be brave or cowardly. That Frenesi and other newspeople can be
and often are)corrupted doesn't mean the media by their nature are part of the problem. 

I don't agree with Mark that 24fps is part of the problem.  I think TRP believes what Frenesi's saying, that, with enough 
probing coverage, filmmakers can make a difference.  Remember "If they can get you to ask the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about
giving the right answers." (paraphrasing - I don't have the book handy). But many news people/documentarians, etc. do ask the right questions.

Laura