An observation on the nature of cultural memes
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Komuso Tokugawa
Registered User
Join date: 3 Mar 2005
Posts: 93
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06-05-2005 20:46
" "Only the Sith deal in absolutes" (certainly my favourite motto from SW III). For myself, everything really is relative, but, like the Jedi philosophy, I split the SL world in two large groups." ref: /140/f8/49212/1.htmlWhat is it with people nowdays quoting yoda, a puppet voiced by Jim Henson with words by scriptwriters, as their central philosophy in life? Fact: Lucas ripped off Taoist philosphy [which is ok] and then twisted a central concept (force/chi/ki) into a simplistic good/evul dichotomy [which is bad] to fulfill a typical campbell mythic "hero's journey" plot development for a mass media audience. I've noticed this quite a lot recently, with people seriously quoting yoda/jedi on a number of different forums I trawl, all with the fervour of a religious maniac...and they call new agers whacko? Does it not inspire people enough to dig into the words behind the words? (oops, yoda speaking I am...annoying is it not?) Are we in the future destined to see "The Church of Yoda"? [yes, one could argue that a movie script has as much relevance as some central religious texts given the human propensity to develop control systems based around religious dogma...but scripts that cherry pick and miss essential concepts are as bad a said religious text imo] |
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Torley Linden
Enlightenment!
Join date: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 16,530
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06-05-2005 21:09
You make some good pointies, Komuso... ahhh for me, I like my serious philosophy with a dash (or even shower) or humor. Give that to me, Yoda does, because I can't totally take him at face value, yet even as derivative as his advice is, he sure presents it in a unique form. I mean, can you imagine "Four Score And Seven Years Ago" or whatever that thingermaroo was as spoken by Bill & Ted? (Come to think of it, the movie did come CLOSE.) That juxtaposition gets me excited and helps me to digest such memes.
Church of Yoda? Well, some already state Jedi Knight as a religion... 
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Lianne Marten
Cheese Baron
Join date: 6 May 2004
Posts: 2,192
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06-05-2005 21:22
From: Torley Torgeson Church of Yoda? Well, some already state Jedi Knight as a religion... In England, just over 390,000 wrote in 'Jedi' on their 2001 census form.  |
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Komuso Tokugawa
Registered User
Join date: 3 Mar 2005
Posts: 93
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06-05-2005 21:23
From: Torley Torgeson You make some good pointies, Komuso... ahhh for me, I like my serious philosophy with a dash (or even shower) or humor. May the farce be with you, Torley-san. |
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Chip Midnight
ate my baby!
Join date: 1 May 2003
Posts: 10,231
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06-05-2005 22:16
I'll take Campbell minus the Yoda please. Mix in about 3/5ths Rand and I'm good to go.
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Billy Grace
Land Market Facilitator
Join date: 8 Mar 2004
Posts: 2,307
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06-05-2005 23:04
I for one LOVE Yoda... with gravy and a side of smashed potatos! 
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Olympia Rebus
Muse of Chaos
Join date: 22 Feb 2004
Posts: 1,831
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06-06-2005 08:36
From: Komuso Tokugawa
Fact: Lucas ripped off Taoist philosphy [which is ok] and then twisted a central concept (force/chi/ki) into a simplistic good/evul dichotomy [which is bad] to fulfill a typical campbell mythic "hero's journey" plot development for a mass media audience.
I have a hunch that most so-popular-that-it-becomes-cultural movies and stories have their roots (intentionially or not) in mythology and the philosphies associated with them. I'm guessing that's what makes them popular- they push the same buttons that myths do. I susprect the "Wisdom of Yoda" trend won't last as long as the philosophy that inspired it, but then again, it could be replaced by the "wisdom" of the next cultural icon who plays the same trick. |
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Vudu Suavage
Feral Twisted Torus
Join date: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 402
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06-06-2005 10:43
From: Chip Midnight I'll take Campbell minus the Yoda please. Mix in about 3/5ths Rand and I'm good to go. Keep in mind that Campbell was more a myth/symbol-fetsihist than a prophet/shaman in his own right; using his work as an alternative to or argument agaisnt existing mythos misses his point entirely. As for Rand, it amazes me, given their temporal proximity, that she and H.P. Lovecraft didn't get together for egocentric-xenophobic mutual masturbation sessions. Ah, for lack of an internet their love was lost. And Jediism? It's better than Metallica-worship.
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Arcadia Codesmith
Not a guest
Join date: 8 Dec 2004
Posts: 766
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06-06-2005 10:55
From: Vudu Suavage As for Rand, it amazes me, given their temporal proximity, that she and H.P. Lovecraft didn't get together for egocentric-xenophobic mutual masturbation sessions. Ah, for lack of an internet their love was lost. "Cthulu Shrugged"? I don't want to visit that timeline. |
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Vudu Suavage
Feral Twisted Torus
Join date: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 402
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06-06-2005 11:09
From: Arcadia Codesmith "Cthulu Shrugged"?
I don't want to visit that timeline. *snort*  Speaking of stories-turned-religion...
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Cthulhu, spiders, and other artfully crafted creatures are available at Gods & Monsters in Zoe, as well as Limbo and Taco.
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