Jane Denson, Lyotard (and Habermas)

        After reading both Lyotard and Habermas' in-depth analysis of Modernity and Postmodernism, it is apparent that their perspectives and insights on the overarching matter of the Modernist movement and its impacts are in discordance. It appears, however, that if one wants to be able to fully engage with and comprehend Habermas' material, it is imperative to read through Lyotard's with the same frame of mind. Stepping back, it can be inferred, potentially with the Surrealist and Avant-Garde movements, that Modernity bleeds into divergent eras and is constantly redefining itself on a continual basis, all while social paradigms shift. That is likely why the topic is heavily debated and extremely difficult to completely understand. From a 21st century standpoint, Modernity and Postmodernity both emphasize and explore concepts from two sides of the same coin, and here it can be noted that Lyotard and Habermas are unpacking different ideas under one theoretical umbrella. One quote that came across rather interestingly from Lyotard was this:

"But capitalism inherently possesses the power to derealize familiar objects, social roles, and institutions to such a degree that the so-called realistic representations can no longer evoke reality except as nostalgia or mockery, as an occasion for suffering rather than for satisfaction. Classicism seems to be ruled out in a world in which reality is so destabilized that it offers no occasion for experience but one for ratings and experimentation" (Lyotard, 1986, p. 40).

        Lyotard proceeds to mention how this idea is similar to what Walter Benjamin touched on in his work. With this piece, it seems as though Lyotard is insinuating that with emulation and the realm of mass reproduction brought upon society by capitalism, a person's perception can be greatly cheapened or hindered in terms of the realism of the person, place, or object they are familiar with. A question that came to mind from this is: Would Habermas view Avant-Gardism as capitalism, in a sense, that derealizes Traditionalism? When Lyotard goes on to bring up the notion of classicism being ruled out due to a destabilized reality, it may be possible that he is calling back to the idea that the mechanical and industrial are the causes for this type of "replacement." In other words, he is getting at the notion of photography and cinematography, for example, having the ability to perhaps change or warp human experience, unlike the classics, and then offer room for experimentation that, in turn, seeks to demonstrate reality strategically, as opposed to staying true to its source of origin. For a 21st century audience to grasp the overall density of this, it might be wise to look at (classic) texts of literature being adapted for the world of cinema. Lyotard would probably comment on how films like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, IT, etc. have destabilized their counterpart's (the novel) individual reality by leaving important details out or altering the flow of the text. As a result, the viewers' sense of experience may feel derealized (if they have read the novel version) and the film may read as a mockery of its source material.