Can story characters really provide role models?

We search for role models everywhere, but particularly from people we have connections with--family, friends, celebrities, and so on. Another source is from stories we experience, be they movies or books or oral tellings. In the ancient past, stories were the main method used to pass along models of behavior. There's a word describing the role models in these tales--we call them "paragons," because they idealize the virtues expressed. These still remain in modern stories, though they are far less perfect and bear obvious faults.

King Arthur in Disney's "The Sword in the Stone"

Why bother with role models? Why celebrate certain qualities? It's the same reason we give medals to brave soldiers, or accolades to incredible deeds of heroism, or Nobel awards to scientists who create lifesaving vaccines. Role models demonstrate the qualities we most want to possess. It's only natural to feature them in widespread stories. Of course, the trouble is how to make paragons sympathetic, as well as threatened, since their very nature is to be superhuman?

I believe the modern incarnation of role models being deeply flawed is swinging the pendulum too far. Sure, it's hard to accept a perfect human, but it's also just as implausible that everyone is a slimeball. What we need are examples to follow, human enough to believe, yet above the reach of most. Paragons give us hope, show us that we can be better, and even inside stories they still inspire. In the end, that's the biggest part ... examples to follow.

- M

Sleep my pretty! And, dream of lollipop rainbows...

I don't remember most of my dreams. I know some people do, and that you can train yourself to do so, but I'm fine with letting those nighttime wanderings remain a mystery. There is the thought that some genius ideas float away with wakefulness, though I highly doubt they really are as wonderful as my unconscious mind believes--I have written some down and then wish I hadn't ... they were terrible. Dreams can be a whole lot of fun though, especially when you take control and gallop along with an imagination free from all restraint.

The human body apparently requires dreaming for full rest. So far as I can determine, science still hasn't figured out exactly what the REM state of sleep does for us--experiments have demonstrated people become very messed up without it. It's been theorized the brain sorts the previous day's memories at this time and basically trims the fat and keeps the important stuff. Maybe. Personally, I bet it's a lot more complicated than that, and most likely involves the brain performing maintenance activities not possible during wakefulness.

Whatever the mechanics of dreaming, I'm glad we can do it. Our imaginations are given free reign during sleep. We create vast worlds, do incredible things, and don't worry about the consequences of anything at all. It's very freeing. Well, at least when dreams are nice and fun (nightmares not so much, so I'll just ignore those). Dreams demonstrate how we never truly lose our imaginations, no matter how stuffy and grown up we become. Just go with it. Let your dreams bear you away to lands beyond time and space!

- M

Do these slippers make me look old?

I've gone without slippers for most of my life. So, how is it that in the last couple of years I have completely turned the bend and wear slippers all the time? Sure, I don't like getting my feet dirty, but why wear them when we have carpet? Maybe I should get an old worn-out cardigan sweater and stumble around with my cane, to complete the image? Only old people wear slippers. Well, I used to think that anyway.

Funny how life changes you in unexpected ways. I remember my father walking around with black slippers, that looked like otters to me. It seemed he was a hundred years old, and those slippers were my associated image. Another image is him hunkered over his amateur radio set (which is not very amateur at all, and is more like a dedicated professional hobby), talking with people from Australia, Taiwan, and Poland. He was always fixing things around the house, learning new skills, and teaching me all the time--though I hardly realized it then.

I wonder how many other things I've taken from my father's many examples? He's always been there for me, no matter how badly I messed up. He never gained a sense of fashion, so I guess I should blame him for that too. Yet, it's the simple things that really matter. Like these slippers I'm wearing now ... they aren't otters, but maybe they're related ...

Do these make me look old? No. But, I hope I can look like my father.

- M

Sometimes I just want to turn off my brain and enjoy a good action film.

In movies there are "summer blockbusters" or so-called "popcorn movies" which are fun, action-filled, films with flimsy plots and lots of grunting. They are pure escapism. If you try to dissect the story, or search for hidden meanings, you'll end up either very disappointed or aggressively confused.

Goofy blockbuster movies are fun, mindless, entertainment which may or may not have actual depth to their stories. Why demean this form of enjoyment? I sure have in the past, but my best friends taught me not to be so stubborn and judgmental. Due to those lessons, I hope I've become a much better man and kinder and nobler and more magnificent and wonderful and all around a fantastic kinda guy!

See what dumb action movies can do for you? It's miraculous!

- M

Seriously though, there's no need to disregard the silly or absurd. There's great value in being goofy. Comedy dwells in the realm of the curious. Children's tales are filled with the fantastic. And wisdom comes from all quarters. It's only the truly foolish who ignore everything.

Hot potato, hot potato, whoops.

Do you enjoy games? I sure do. Be they computer games, board games, puzzles, mysteries, or anything else I can find. Imaginative games are especially fun, although I do love good strategy too. Kids and adults treat games differently, sometimes wildly so, especially in regards to victory. Children mainly want to understand how to play, have fun, and perhaps win. Adults are either completely apathetic to it (playing only because their kids want to) or savagely competitive.

Why do we change the way we play? Does maturity temper fun? Do we need to be "adult" even in the games we enjoy?

image credit

I've watched my wife play gams, and am astounded by the way she can totally enjoy herself no matter the game or how well she's doing in it. I do my best to emulate her, but find I'm way too competitive to pretend for very long. Games should be fun, otherwise why bother to play? Actually, games teach good sportsmanship, both in winning and losing. Games are like pretend wars, without the threat of death and harm. Pretty amazing for a game, isn't it? So, why fight so hard to win?

Try playing a game just for fun. Try to win, sure, but don't let it consume you. Maybe there's a bit of child in us all, yearning to have a bit of fun without the worries of adulthood. Take it like a vacation... a vacation from your problems.

- M

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!

Today, I thank all the fallen, and lift up their loved ones in prayer for enduring grace in the midst of loss. I thank the currently serving, and pray they come home safely and well. I thank those who are yet to serve, that they may have hope for a bright tomorrow. Because of you, we live in a nation founded upon the ideas of individual liberty and freedom. May God bless America!

- M

Comic books aren't only for children. Adults love them too.

I love comic books. They tell stories which are difficult to tell in any other medium--a kind of blending between novels, movies and soap operas. Comics also have the amazing quality of visually showing the action, while also delving into the minds of the actors. The artwork often rises to truly incredible quality, and the writing is frequently first rate. The biggest feature of comic books is how they tell an ongoing story, where acts and behavior have real consequences and alter their worlds. It's fascinating to watch, and even better to experience.

When we're little, we tell basic stories of adventure and fantasy. We watch crazy cartoons about talking animals and robotic time-travelers. Then, we move to deeper and more intelligent stories. I think it's only natural to combine the real and unreal in magazine format, with pictures and dialogue. Comic books satisfy visual artwork and intellectual story, without compromising either. Yes, movies can do the same, but they can't express inner thoughts and narrative as simply and elegantly as comic books.

I've never understood why comics are frowned on, as though they weren't proper stories, or are beneath the notice of adults. Sure, they're ridiculous and overblown, have huge casts of characters and too many plots, yet they remain popular vehicles for storytelling. It's fascinating to find comics all around the world. I think they deserve higher respect in the world of stories, and definitely should be given more credit than they currently have (although with the Marvel movies, comics are seeing a definite resurgence).

- M