Myths/Narratives have probably been around as long as human beings themselves. But, what are these myths and what is their purpose? In Postmodernism for Beginners Jim Powell states that," The myth requires no authorization or legitimization other than itself;The myth defines what has the right to be said and done in the culture(POWELL25)." In the olden days people would explain the unexplainable with an Narrative. Ancient cultures such as: The Mayans, Incas, Egyptians, Early Chinese Dynasty's, Greeks, and Hinduism Framers all looked to Narratives to explain things when knowledge was limited. These stories would explain a cornucopia of Ideas. Natural Phenomena, Creation, Purpose, why things are the way they are, and Purpose/ meaning of life. All these things were deemed "law" by the group of people following them. Nobody had any other ideas as to why everything is the way it is and this is why myths were able to exist and be created in small communities. All these myths remained until some other (Grand Narrative) or scientific proof came and shattered them. Some myths can also be thought of as lies believed by everyone including the liar. But for them this lie is the only answer. Until a grand Narrative or scientific proof is made to Myth bust a myth that myth shall stand. Now in my eyes a grand Narrative is a Narrative that forces other narratives to Cease to exist due to its believability and hold over a community. Some say seeing is believing, but Grand Narratives have the immaculate ability to invest such strong faith in its believers that even a scientifically proof that proves it to be compel false with evidence is not enough to whimsical its followers. Some see science itself as a grand narrative."according to Lyotard, since science cannot depend upon science to legitimize itself, it must turn to narrative!". Since these Narratives are (Grand) any Narrative that contradicts it is deemed false and oppression between people who follow the Grand Narrative and those who don't becomes relevant. Minority Discourse's become marginalized by the very fact they are a minority. Buy because more people follow this one story your story is impossible. I really wish that These Grand Narratives can disappear and the world can be filled with respectable tiny narratives. Then America could be a place with less hate and more respect. Come on people how about we let people believe what they want to believe. Don't worry about proving them wrong and just have faith in what you believe in.
*** WARNING WHEN I WROTE THIS I WAS NOT SURE WHAT A GRAND NARRATIVE IS. FEEL FREE TO INFORM ME***
Umm ... very interesting... your blog
ReplyDelete1st.. lets make this clear, I dont worship you just because i am commenting on your blog!
OK moving on....
Dude i used the same quote as you did, I guess great minds think alike LOL!
I totally 100% agree with you when say "Come on people how about we let people believe what they want to believe" I personally think you can't change someone's opinion just because you don't agree with. People should be able to believe want they want to believe, I mean come on we live in a free nation. Don't you agree?
Hey i thought grand narratives was just a BIGGER narrative combining all the smaller narratives?
AnyWAYZ...
"Until a grand Narrative or scientific proof is made to Myth bust a myth that myth shall stand" Although i am a little confused about the grand narratives, i agree that a myth can't be accepted or wrong until proven. For example, like Mythbusters...the show helps us prove a myth wrong or right!
:)
GOOD JOB!
Dang Jaideep my man doing it big!!! i totally agree with what you said in your blog, i liked how you really evaluated your thoughts and ideas and made them more sophisticated to express your feelings about them. You did a very good job in exlpaining your thoughts and you totally dug beneath the surface of the whole topic. I liked how you tied in the native americansas well as other groups to support your ideas, and i like the way you said things such as them creating myths for the unexplainable ... very good. Ohh yeh and you had some power house quotes and commentary. Like the one where you said Some "myths can also be thought of as lies believed by everyone including the liar. But for them this lie is the only answer. " genius my friend you really know how to put your ideas out on a blog dope stuff. Also the one where you said "Narratives have the immaculate ability to invest such strong faith in its believers that even a scientifically proof that proves it to be compel false with evidence is not enough to whimsical its followers. " very good and i totally agree because someone who has deep faith will stick to that faith no matter what beause it is their outlet. Finally you did a good job in saying that everyone should believe what they want to believe and how people shouldnt question other beleifs i totally agree so therefore i though you left on a very good point...well done my boy what a "powerhouse"! ha
ReplyDeleteMan I dig your blog, especially the end where you say, “Come on people how about we let people believe what they want to believe. Don't worry about proving them wrong and just have faith in what you believe in.” This is very true, but how about telling this to some of the more aggressive Socratic circle members. It’s funny how defensive some people, not to mention any names, act when we do the “dialogue” activity trying to avoid a heated debate. Nevertheless, back to your blog. I thing Grand Narratives are kind of like bullies. The maker of the grand narrative searches the playground of myths, full of diversity and happiness, for a way to undermine them. Once the maker finds a weakness, boom, he or she pounces in and beats the tar out of the minority narratives. Now, once again, the bully rules the playground. So why should this happen? I like how you described how even though grand narratives point to every fact that says the narrative is false, the believers couldn’t care less. It’s a nice slap in the face to those bully grand narratives. People who stick to their beliefs are very strong and admirable. So I pledge to join your crusade to let people believe what they want to believe. Why not, it’s ultimately their life and not our own.
ReplyDeleteDeep you make me laugh so hard, I love your sense of humor. But i have to argee with Navdeep don't let it go to your head that people comment you, I don't worship you.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, I really like your ending statement, "I really wish that These Grand Narratives can disappear and the world can be filled with respectable tiny narratives." This makes more sense to me too. I agree when you said the world would be more respectful. I think without the narratives and everyone having their own opinion and not having anything forced upon them the world would be more peaceful. But in a way i feel like my given opinion fits into the catergory of a grand narrative. Metanarratives are everywhere, they're not going to be eliminated so if people are going to be able to get along they are going to not eliminate their differences but eliminate their dislike for those differences.
Hasta Manana Deep
I completely agree with your blog Jaideep. I really like your ending statement: "Come on people how about we let people believe what they want to believe. Don't worry about proving them wrong and just have faith in what you believe in.” If everyone followed this statement the world would be a much better place. But getting back to your blog, I agree that Grand narratives force clashes among people and their beliefs in society. But too many people's beliefs are rooted in grand narratives to eliminate them completely from society. You did a really good job with this blog Jaideep keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I do worship you.
Jaideep Singh!! This was truly epic. Thank you for enlightening us all with the powerful words you speak. I would like to point out the many examples you used about the different cultures using myths as their only guidance towards truth. For some reason, I could only connect the Native Americans with myths and legends, but now I see how these narratives were really important to many cultures in our past. When you spoke about “Grand Narratives have the immaculate ability to invest such strong faith in its believers that even a scientifically proof that proves it to be compel false with evidence is not enough to whimsical its followers,” this automatically got me thinking about religion. This is huge in the biology field as well, the theory of the Big Bang with the creation of life. Scientists has developed this theory that the universe was created due to a sudden boom in space which eventually created atoms, particles, and the substances everything is made of. Many religious groups find the creation of life as being given to them by a higher power they call “God”. Some people believe the scientific aspect of this subject, while others stick with what their religious views tell them. That’s all I have to say about that subject. I don’t want too many people getting heated about a little comment. Anyways, I agree about how people should accept another person’s views even though they may be different from their own. Why can’t people just get along? Almost every religion is based on good moral anyways. Who cares if they believe in a different “God” or accept different ideals? As long as we have our natural rights as humans, everything will be fine.
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