Yesterday I found that some folks were posting on Facebook about the lack of merit of certain science fiction movies. The primary complaints focused on the content and how they were basically rehashes of old stories or old concepts or old religions. The common thread was how some people out there are just not equipped to really study original works and certainly don't want to have vapid actors representing such ethereal ideas.
Let's start out by saying that I agree that many people today are spoiled, don't want to do the hard work required and want to just hang out, dude. That being said, who are we to judge these misdirected, vacant and unmotivated individuals? Shouldn't we just be grateful that they are at least deriving something from these forms of entertainment? Oh, that's right – my bad; they're movies, not classic works of art. How silly of me? How do you compare the Mona Lisa to “The Matrix”? Or “Star Wars” to Michelangelo’s David? These types of movies are snapshots of our culture, not objects of art that belong in iconic museums (when our culture produces something like “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, what does that say?). Yes, they are inspirational yet bring a simplified version of a concept that is perceived to be too complicated to the masses. And what does that say about our educational system? Not much, unfortunately. And what does it say about our culture? At least it's trying to bring a version of art to the masses. In the distant past great paintings and sculptures were commissioned and paid for by the ruling elite and therefore reserved for their enjoyment only. At least Bill and Ted tried to teach some history, albeit a slightly distorted view.
Are there solutions out there? Shouldn’t we be blessed with the idea of diversity even in the level of laziness someone expresses or should we push the standards of education for all at all cost? I would hope that it would be somewhere in between. At least among those that have enjoyed long lives, many consider lifelong learning to be a major component of the success of their longevity. And guess what; they also are the ones that set an example for those of us that are younger and willing to continue to believe that we don’t know everything.
Is the critique of others tastes in entertainment and education measuring others by our own personal yardsticks or are our protestations laced with the intent that we know that settling is not an option for personal growth – approaching someone like a coach prodding someone to give more than they think they are capable of doing? It’s all in the intent. Are you trying to be superior and righteous? Or are you really trying to help expand someone’s horizons?
So in the end, let's just get off the high, intellectual, spiritual horse and just be okay that some people are on a different intellectual path and bless them on their way.
1 comment:
I think it may be more than just our intolerance of someone else's perception of what's great/good. We each can only see out of our own eyes; the problem is that we each require everyone else to see out of our eyes, as well. Worse, we fail to even realize that they absolutely can't. Much as I'd like to stand in your shoes as you walk through life so I can see as you do, I will never be able to do that. If we recognize that about ourselves, we'll better understand and accept that Charlie sees worship in church differently than I do; that Charlie actually perceives a conservative political position far differently than I do, and he thinks he's every bit as right as I think I am. Both in good faith. We both may be right depending on our perception of reality. To a large extent, reality depends entirely on perception. I see a tree differently than you do. I'd love to hear others' comments.
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