Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

When I read, when I watch television and when I go to movies I think, either fiction or non-fiction. Then I remember that when I enjoy the subject I am watching or reading. Much like situational awareness, you don’t want to remain hyper-vigilant to the point that it deteriorates and you end up hurt or dead. You want to keep sharp by balancing out situational awareness between the dark side and the light side, yin-yang. The light side being aware of the beauty of nature around you vs. the dark side being aware of the dangers around you.

When I think of fiction, I think of science, fantasy and fun. When I consider fiction I like it when it relates to real life but when it deviates I don’t really bother that much because it is “Fiction, it is Entertainment!” 

When I think of non-fiction, I think of facts, truth and accuracy  toward reality. Nonfiction is about reality and reality can be both fun to learn and important to learn, i.e., fun facts about our world vs. dangerous things that go bump in the night and can be the cause of damage and death. When nonfictional facts of danger are inaccurate or just plain wrong then that means damage, money and possibly death - that ain’t good. 

Fictional stuff for me when it relates to reality makes it a bit more real yet when an author reaches a point where the story, emphasize STORY, needs to take a particular turn for the drama then by all means, “Make it so.” That is why it is called fiction. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard folks get upset when they watch a movie or television or read a book toss it aside because the author took license with the content, i.e., used things that reality says ain’t possible. They let their balance falter in the name of reality and that realities meaning to their belief system. Lets not go there with fiction, have fun and enjoy the ENTERTAINMENT.

Now, when nonfiction is involved and when it involves life and bodily harm then by all means get upset when someone glitches reality. Reality is nothing to fool around with especially when it comes to safety of people, security of people, the life of people and the possible bodily harm to people. Then we have something to get on the bandwagon about BUT …. not in an emotional way. Leave the monkey out of it and stay within the realms of reality, facts and truth. 

Emotional monkey dancing reactions are not about reality but the feelings often triggered especially when it is a topic that presses our emotional monkey brains into doing monkey crap. 

Fiction is fun, enjoy it while non-fiction leans heavily toward reality so take it a bit more seriously. Use your awareness be it situational or otherwise to both  have fun and remain serious, serious about life, safety and security.