“The Buzz” – Authentic?

Media in contemporary United States culture thrives on exposing aspects of society not always visible by the public.  Yet, in the novel Tropic of Orange, Yamashita critiques this modern day society as being driven for knowledge in part by the use of technology as created by the media.  Therefore, Yamashita places Buzzworm in the underbelly of Los Angeles, the unseen vision of a lower income society in order to uncover the authenticity in media of the present era.

            When first establishing the character of Buzzworm in the first section, Yamashita brings attention to how people like Buzzworm believe in the news information they receive: “just about everybody thought they knew the truth” (25). It is through this authenticity gap that Buzzworm emerges. Truth due to the media seems to be indisputable with the spread of news. However, it is through this “truth” that Buzzworm appears in order to challenge these “truths” circulated throughout the city. Similarly, when talking about the watches he constantly wears, it is noted, “he figured he could be around when the time’s right. Time for everything” (26). By calling attention to the separate three-word fragment, “time for everything” it seems that Yamashita alludes to the more modern claim of “a time for change.” Is it through this same sentiment that authenticity and truth are called to question when time is a factor? Does a sentiment of timing create a desire for what is real and true? For this change, Yamashita critiques the media and their authenticity in a way that could suggest change.

            It is through this same desire for truth that an actual reporter Gabriel, describes Buzzworm as always craving for the news: “he wanted desperately to see in print the stories of the life surrounding him, to see the wretched truth, the dignity despite the indignity” (43).  Buzzworm thrives on knowledge of news whether how horrid or depressing the event. Even his name “Buzzworm” brings to mind a constant urge for the “buzz,” to be always in the know. The news it seems to Buzzworm, uncovers deep-rooted truths that only a reporter can showcase to the public. The media also breaks down layers that hide news from society, “if someone could break down all the layers of the real map, maybe he could get the real picture” (81). These layers that Buzzworm mentions, metaphorically represent the underbelly of society, the less talked about components that make up society. By releasing these layers through reporting and the media, the “real picture” becomes released opening up gaps in society. It is through this suggestion that change in the media would be possible to depict the authentic news to the public. Yet, it is the media’s responsibility to expose the issues within a society as suggested by Buzzworm throughout the novel.