tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256317.post1532846974681446277..comments2023-09-07T22:24:51.654-05:00Comments on League of Melbotis: The Limitations of SuperheroesThe Leaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836241071795980225noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256317.post-31898026435453463972008-11-21T10:08:00.000-06:002008-11-21T10:08:00.000-06:00I am somewhat reminded of the ongoing accusations ...I am somewhat reminded of the ongoing accusations of President-Elect Obama of being a "secret Muslim". An image was taken years ago of the man participating in a ceremony honoring his father and heritage of him in distinctively non-western garb, and he happened to go to school in a country where religious institutions provide education (as voucher waivers would very much like to see here).<BR/><BR/>Despite overwhelming evidence which was easily uncovered, many, many Americans were happy to stand before cameras and pronounce that they would not vote for a Muslim. <BR/><BR/>I'm not saying that seeing Wonder Woman in a certain light is in any way as mind-blowing as the "secret Muslim" mantra. But it does remind you that people stick to their guns based upon some initial impression, often in the face of evidence, reason and logic, bringing their prejudices, fears, pre-conceptions, what-have-you with them. And that is, indeed, powerful stuff to overcome.The Leaguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04836241071795980225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256317.post-428930689318849382008-11-21T10:07:00.000-06:002008-11-21T10:07:00.000-06:00Superheroes are kind of like the Greek/Roman gods....Superheroes are kind of like the Greek/Roman gods. They're powerful to the point of being awe inspiring, they represent various recognizeable human traits (mostly admirable ones, but not exclusively so), and they prove extremely disappointing when they don't fly down off Mount Olympus to save us when tragedy descends. Sometimes maybe it's just easier people to turn their backs on the entire idea of the hero rather than trying to reconcile it with the realities of life. (and I'm not saying that people actually think that superheroes exist, but turning their backs on them when confronted with tragedy is a way of 1) punishing oneself for an interest in something as optimisitic/"naive" as superheroes in the first place and 2) protecting oneself from dashed hopes or expectations- i.e., you're not going to be disappointed by the flaws in humanity if you convince yourself that we're not capable of being heroic)J.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03903186469796595837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256317.post-54809898697475402902008-11-21T09:56:00.000-06:002008-11-21T09:56:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.J.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03903186469796595837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256317.post-84770303995004636612008-11-21T09:44:00.000-06:002008-11-21T09:44:00.000-06:00During my stint as a catholic, I heard a quote tha...During my stint as a catholic, I heard a quote that applies to many things: "Many people hate catholics for what they believe them to be. Only a few for what they actually are."<BR/><BR/>How many perceptions about comics are just flat out false? After all, most Americans never read them, and those, like me, who sort of do, won't read 99% of what's out there.<BR/><BR/>There is no easy answer to lack of information replaced by speculation.Michael Corleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01441107947600810769noreply@blogger.com