The folly of enforced realism

Lone betta in a bowl with books-yet-to-be read stacked besides. 

The concept of "enforced realism" is a fascinating, if ultimately flawed, endeavor. It suggests a desire to impose a particular, ostensibly accurate, representation of the world onto art, media, or even social discourse, often with the aim of eliminating what is perceived as falsehood, fantasy, or subjective interpretation. However, the pursuit of enforced realism is riddled with inherent contradictions and ultimately reveals the folly of attempting to standardize human experience and creative expression. I shall restrict myself to enforced realism in aesthetics and cognition avoiding the greater complexity of legal and political enforced realism.
To begin with, the very definition of "realism" is subjective and culturally contingent. What one person considers a faithful depiction of reality, another might perceive as a biased or incomplete representation. Realism, in artistic terms, has evolved across different periods and cultures, each with its own set of aesthetic principles and social contexts. For example, the hyper-realistic paintings of the Renaissance differed significantly from the gritty social realism of the 19th century, and both diverge from the fragmented, subjective realism of contemporary cinema. Enforcing a single, rigid definition of realism ignores this historical and cultural fluidity, effectively stifling artistic innovation and limiting the scope of human expression.
Secondly, the act of "enforcing" realism implies a power dynamic, where a particular authority or ideology dictates what constitutes truth and how it should be represented. This can manifest in various forms, from state censorship of artistic works to the dominance of certain media outlets that promote a specific narrative. Such enforced realism often serves the interests of those in power, suppressing dissenting voices and alternative perspectives. It creates an echo chamber where only officially sanctioned versions of reality are allowed to flourish, hindering critical thinking and open dialogue.
Consider the example of totalitarian regimes that enforce socialist realism in art and literature. This style, characterized by idealized portrayals of the working class and the state, aimed to promote a specific political ideology and suppress any artistic expression that deviated from it. The result was a stifling uniformity, where creativity was sacrificed at the altar of political propaganda. Such enforced realism not only stifles artistic innovation but also distorts the public's understanding of reality, creating a false sense of unity and conformity.
Furthermore, the pursuit of enforced realism often overlooks the inherent limitations of human perception and representation. Our senses are fallible, our memories are selective, and our interpretations are shaped by our individual experiences and biases. Even the most meticulously crafted representation of reality is inevitably filtered through the lens of the creator's subjectivity. To believe that any representation can be completely objective and comprehensive is a naive and ultimately futile endeavor.
In the realm of media, the demand for enforced realism can lead to a dangerous obsession with superficial accuracy at the expense of deeper truths. For example, the relentless pursuit of "realistic" special effects in cinema can sometimes overshadow compelling storytelling and character development. Similarly, the focus on "objective" journalism can lead to a false sense of neutrality, where complex issues are reduced to simplistic narratives and opposing viewpoints are given equal weight, regardless of their factual basis.
The demand for realism in social media is equally problematic. The obsession with curated online personas and meticulously crafted images creates a distorted perception of reality, leading to feelings of inadequacy and social anxiety. The constant barrage of idealized images and narratives can make it difficult to distinguish between authentic experiences and carefully constructed facades. Enforcing a standard of "realism" in this context becomes a tool for social control, promoting conformity and suppressing individuality.
Moreover, enforced realism often disregards the importance of imagination, metaphor, and symbolism in human communication. Art, literature, and even scientific inquiry rely on these tools to explore complex ideas and challenge conventional thinking. By insisting on a literal and unadorned representation of reality, we risk losing the ability to grapple with abstract concepts and explore the depths of human experience.
Consider the role of metaphor in scientific discovery. One of my teachers would dislike presentation of scientific concepts with unconventional examples. I would be bewildered as to why? Many scientific theories, such as the wave-particle duality of light or the concept of black holes, rely on metaphorical language to describe phenomena that are beyond our direct sensory experience. Enforcing a strict adherence to literal realism would stifle scientific progress by limiting our ability to conceptualize and communicate complex ideas.
Finally, the pursuit of enforced realism can lead to a dangerous form of moral absolutism, where certain perspectives are deemed inherently correct and others are dismissed as false or delusional. This can create a climate of intolerance and censorship, where dissenting voices are silenced and alternative viewpoints are marginalized. The belief that there is only one true and objective reality can lead to a dangerous disregard for the diversity of human experience and the complexity of the world around us.
The folly of enforced realism lies in its fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality and the limitations of human representation. It ignores the subjective and culturally embedded nature of perception, the inherent power dynamics involved in defining truth, and the importance of imagination and metaphor in human communication. While the desire for accuracy and authenticity is understandable, the pursuit of enforced realism ultimately stifles creativity, distorts our understanding of the world, and undermines the very values it seeks to uphold. Instead of striving for a rigid and unattainable standard of realism, we should embrace the diversity of human experience and the richness of artistic expression, recognizing that truth is often found in the interplay between reality and imagination.

Reference 
1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realism_%28international_relations%29?wprov=sfla1
2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/realism-political-and-social-science
3. Gemini assistance for search and writing 


Pratyush Chaudhuri 

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