Reading Response — The Uncertainty of Documentarism

Steyerl meant that the uncertainty caused by documentary truth becomes increasingly intense. Documentary form has huge emotional potentials and gives out strong feelings. In this way, the documentary function of documentary forms has been weakened, and the ability to convey emotions has been strengthened. Therefore, documentary forms can create false intimacy and false presence. The truth informs fiction by providing inspirations. Some of the plots come from true stories in real life. The fiction can show part of the truth because it is originated from the truth. It might also cover the truth if people blindly believe without discerning.

In my opinion, the significance of the authenticity and representation of the truth in the media depends on what I am consuming. If I watch news, the truth is definitely important because it helps me know what happens around the world and gain different perspectives of thoughts. But if I am watching video clips or TV series or movies, then the authenticity of truth is not that important. They come from our real lives but do not have to be completely true because they are just for entertaining. Live broadcast is a way to let the audience see what is happening in real time. Formal live broadcasts like news can show the audience what is truly happening, while some entertaining live broadcasts can be performed and may not be true.

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