Metamodern TV Show
Idk why I haven’t ever written anything about other metamodern TV shows in the past—I’ve thought about it, written notes on some, but never followed through. However I recently watched the entire season of 13 Reasons Why and find myself realizing more and more Metamodern characteristics and Metamodern moments. What mainly brought me to this realization was that, before even starting the show, I read a lot of mixed perspectives about the message the show was sending (which mostly attributes to why I wanted to watch the show in the first place). Some reviewers feel that 13RW portrays a horrifyingly unrealistic account of teenage suicide and the events surrounding it; that it glamorizes suicide and leaves the suicidal at no fault and everyone else at complete fault. Other reviewers (notably many teens), along with the show’s cast, crew and producers feel that the characters and scenarios are relatable, showing very intimate and imperfect thoughts of a growing teenager, along with the harsh consequences of even the subtlest of cruel behaviors. These reviewers feel the show brings light to many different scenarios of bullying and assault that happen far too often but are not talked about, especially in high school.
I personally feel so much of both opinions about this show, and I believe a debate would actually spark up a lot of answers (or questions) about what a Metamodern debate would look like, including the Both-And/ Both-Neither frameworks. The publication Metamoderna has mentioned a few progressive european political parties who embrace the Both-And framework and work to achieve some kind of multi-faceted solution that involves ‘some of this’ and ‘some of that’ and ‘some of something else perhaps too,’ rather than just ‘this is right’ and ‘this is wrong.’ And sure, this show is not the only example of an ethical paradox, but the subject matter is just really serious, and not something to brush over, imo.
-The second thing I thought was very Metamodern (a metamodern moment(s)) was that throughout the show as well as in the show’s commentary afterwards, the actors keep talking about people finding their own truths. ‘It may not be the truth but it was Hannah’s truth.’ ... etc. Ok, so I know this is just a TV show but this is kindof an archetype of metamodern philosophy. It’s a clear cross between Constructivism and Positivism, modern and post modern, Foucault and Hegel(?)(can’t think of correct philosopher). But what really sunk it in was the amount of times this phrase was said, and about so many of the characters. It felt almost like being brainwashed to think, or realize, that ‘the truth’ is really just ‘your truth.’ And maybe/possibly that was the point.
-One other thing—did you notice how many interesting references the show made to present technology/social media. I thought the show was actually going to be primarily about technology—in a futuristic, black-mirrory kind of way. Ok, I know this is not digimodernism we’re talking about here, but I wanted to bring this up because
