Today I learned:
(this is actually a very retro learn, but thought it was worth posting for those I have not yet educated) "Lampshading" or "Hanging a Lampshade" is a writing device to deflect the audience away from breaking their disbelief suspenders. It consist of pointing out how ludicrous something is (either through narration, character dialog, or some other fashion) and moving on. The audience is now mollified, realizing that the writer is not a moron (because he just pointed out how ludicrous it was, it means he was smart enough to realize how silly it was) nor is he trying to slide something past them (because he just called attention to it). Thus, somewhat counter intuitively, the writer makes something more believable by pointing out how unbelievable it is. It is more often used in a comedic fashion, but is certainly not unknown in more serious works. This is a venerable strategy, going as far back as Shakespeare:
Sir Toby Belch: Is't possible?
Fabian: If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction.
--Twelfth Night, Act 3, Scene IV
all the way up to Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and beyond!
Cutler Becket: You're mad!
Jack Sparrow: It's a good thing I am, or this would never work. (Jack Sparrow proceeds to square ridiculous and sucker punch physics)
Antoine Dodson (star of the bed intruder song) has my respect. Not only did the guy famously fight for his sister's honor and safety, he became a viral video star for doing so, AND used the proceeds from his fame (half of all the money from the bed intruder song sales was given to him) to improve his family's life (they moved out of "the projects") and start a foundation aimed at Juvenile Diabetes, something that effects his mother and sister. I have to say, usually I feel nothing but a cruel sort of amusement at people who get viral video'd, but in this case I take my dew rag off to thee, Antoine. You are a word smith, and a good man.
45° looks a whole lot like 45 radians, apparently, but 30° looks nothing like 30 radians. And this, kids, is why you need to learn how to keep track of units; someday, it could save a Mars mission.
(Addendum, because this was something I'd meant to put in here but forgot to when initially writing the entry) Next time you are trying to sound gangsta, drop the word "Shawty" when referring to your girlfriend, or a woman you think ought to be your girlfriend. Because nothing will make you sound more like a person that needs to be punched than that...
--Flynn (You must have a degree in business getting down to)
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