# Coda: the experience of war beyond exceptionalism

## TL;DR

This paper explores how the concept of 'fun' in war contexts reveals deeper emotional and moral dimensions of warfare.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in using 'fun' as a lens to de-exceptionalize war's brutality and understand fighters' experiences.

## Key findings

- Fun in war reflects a ritual of inversion that challenges war's structures while maintaining its core goals.
- Examining fun encourages a more honest analysis of war's realities and emotional dynamics.
- The approach helps de-exceptionalize war's brutality by highlighting fighters' perspectives and emotions.

## Abstract

When linked to the context of war, fun can be understood as an expression of both direct and indirect communication, a manner of public engagement as well as a ‘ritual of inversion’ in which the proprieties of structure (the declared mandate and rules of war) are lampooned and violated, yet the finalities of the project of war (dominion, control, violence, and so on) remain intact. The focus on fun is not meant to trivialise the suffering war produces. On the contrary, it encourages a more honest and accurate analysis of what actively experiencing war entails. There are different reasons for pursuing a line of research that delves into the articulation of different emotions, moralities, and fighters’ perspectives, for instance the need to de-exceptionalise war’s brutality.