Other worlds-- Feed and The Golden Compass

I think teens enjoy scifi/fantasy because it allows them to experience plaisir and jouissance simultaneously. The possibility of a world in which the very tenants of reality are bent, in which there is the possibility that unpleasant things could be totally different is comforting. On the other hand, sometimes in these texts reality is changed in such a way that is also disturbing. In a time when teens are trying to figure out what the world is about and how they fit in it, a text that allows them to explore these questions in a variety of ways is appealing. I think this is the same reason they would want to write fanfiction. They can take the new "rules" set up by an author and use them to figure out what would happen if they had to operate in this other world, or even how a certain character would do so. It allows them to explore different personas without risking their social capitol in real life.

Feed is a good example of the possibilities scifi presents to a teen audience. It allows the reader to think about commercialism and technology-- things they experience in real life-- taken to the extreme. Titus is confronted with the negative affects of the feed by Violet's reaction to it, and responds in what I thought was a discomforting way. His lack of ability to help Violet emotionally calls into question the value of technology when it comes at the expense of humanity. The same issues could be addressed in a reality-based novel, but by the very fact that a reality-based story would take place in a world in which teens are immersed, would make it more difficult for teens to take a fresh look at the issues themselves. Scifi and fantasy, to some degree, allow the reader to step outside of culture, to ponder things that they take for granted as "the way they are" and imagine different possibilities for their world. Fanfiction allows them to become an active participant in this act of imagination, affecting even further their ability to think outside of normal reality.

The Golden Compass has the fantastical element of the daemons, which might appeal to teens in several ways. One: the daemon is an outward representation of one's inner feelings and thoughts, and in a time when these aspects of life can be so confusing, the idea of an easier way to "read" people is appealing. At the same time, the visibility might reflect a certain vulnerability that teens can identify with. In addition, the fact that the daemons are shape shifters until their person reaches adulthood is an interesting reflection of the state of "becoming" teens are in. Two: Having a constant companion might also be an appealing idea. Wouldn't we all like to have our own Pantalaimon?