In Defense of Fun Vegetables
Over the years, I have observed a kind of snobbery relating to forms of entertainment. It is assumed that the only true or worthy art is in books and that classic literature is the height of that. Modern works are, of course, less valuable than older ones because we've lost so much intellect, grace and elegance since those golden days. There are those who proudly announce at every opportunity that they don't watch television or that the only movies they see are documentaries. The conclusion is that everything else is worthless tripe that could only be enjoyed by those of lesser intelligence than the snob.
The prejudice even extends to those who guiltily enjoy movies rather than "cinema", non-educational television, or "lesser" literature like comic books or science fiction. Often, they seem almost apologetic or ashamed when they judge their choices as the candy of artistic offerings rather than the vegetables.
When people learn that you work in a library, they assume you are of like mind. They are eager to tell you that they prefer intellectual fare, that they read only classics or that they would never use the library to check out movies or graphic novels or *shudder* video games. "What a waste that our youngsters rot their brains with that stuff." I might smile and listen to their opinions. I might agree that there is much good to be found in classic literature, but I always recognize the bias for what it is - an artificial value, based in emotion rather than logic.
Yes, there's plenty in the modern world that even I might describe as crap, including some best sellers and box office hits. However, I think it's an illusion that bygone eras didn't suffer the same. Chances are there was the same ratio of bad plays in Shakespeare's time as bad movies in ours. When people see a gold nugget in the pan, they tend to forget it was once filled with silt and muddy water, too. To dismiss a form of art because some didn't use it as successfully as they might means missing out on the gold nuggets that will be the next century's classics. Mankind still seeks expression through art. The choice of tool does nothing to diminish the value of that expression. Being closed minded, because an offering doesn't look like what you've been told a beloved classic is supposed to look like, only robs you of precious experiences.
From another angle, we find what we seek. Self-teaching from observation and play is how we humans roll. Whether the creator of a work intended it, whether they knew it consciously when they went into a project, we will find our own lessons int he art we consume.
During this past week, I read the book Geek Wisdom the sacred teachings of nerd culture, edited by Stephen H. Segal. This little volume collects quotes, many from movies, TV, books, comics and even video games, that are often repeated by sci-fi fans, computer geeks, and others who never sat at the popular table in the cafeteria. For each quote, there is a short essay that meditates on the philosophy and lessons found in that particular bit of wisdom as well as those in the larger context of the original work. I love this book.
It's no secret that contemplating the lessons in everyday things is right up my alley, but this book is even more endearing because it champions many of those undervalued segments of today's entertainment. Through each essay, the authours reveal what fans have known all along, that those who create these works are artists like any other. They use their media to explore life, to play with concepts and express ideas about our human experience. There is dignity in the art.
Furthermore, what this book and others like it do is reassure us that what we think about our world is no less important than what we dig out of some dusty old tome. Too often, we think of wisdom as something handed to us by ancient sages. We take our cues from revered philosophers, religious texts or historical figures. We tend to devalue our own observations or those of our contemporaries. While there is surely some wisdom we can gain by listening to Ben Franklin, we shouldn't ignore what the X-Men have to say about the human condition. The truth is that wisdom is where you find it, and it is our nature both to offer our own ideas through our art and to seek ideas in the art of others. As Terry Pratchett's witches observed (and I have to paraphrase, but you can read his books for yourself to find the exact quote- I promise, you won't regret it) the world is full of signs and omens, you just have to pick the right ones to pay attention to.
Instead of engaging in prejudice against literature or other arts that are normally considered "fun", we should be considering what we can learn from them. And, of course, enjoying them because happiness is good for you as well. To revisit the earlier metaphor, when we look at that plate, we find it's not filled with candy after all. These are vegetables, too.
The prejudice even extends to those who guiltily enjoy movies rather than "cinema", non-educational television, or "lesser" literature like comic books or science fiction. Often, they seem almost apologetic or ashamed when they judge their choices as the candy of artistic offerings rather than the vegetables.
When people learn that you work in a library, they assume you are of like mind. They are eager to tell you that they prefer intellectual fare, that they read only classics or that they would never use the library to check out movies or graphic novels or *shudder* video games. "What a waste that our youngsters rot their brains with that stuff." I might smile and listen to their opinions. I might agree that there is much good to be found in classic literature, but I always recognize the bias for what it is - an artificial value, based in emotion rather than logic.
Yes, there's plenty in the modern world that even I might describe as crap, including some best sellers and box office hits. However, I think it's an illusion that bygone eras didn't suffer the same. Chances are there was the same ratio of bad plays in Shakespeare's time as bad movies in ours. When people see a gold nugget in the pan, they tend to forget it was once filled with silt and muddy water, too. To dismiss a form of art because some didn't use it as successfully as they might means missing out on the gold nuggets that will be the next century's classics. Mankind still seeks expression through art. The choice of tool does nothing to diminish the value of that expression. Being closed minded, because an offering doesn't look like what you've been told a beloved classic is supposed to look like, only robs you of precious experiences.
From another angle, we find what we seek. Self-teaching from observation and play is how we humans roll. Whether the creator of a work intended it, whether they knew it consciously when they went into a project, we will find our own lessons int he art we consume.
During this past week, I read the book Geek Wisdom the sacred teachings of nerd culture, edited by Stephen H. Segal. This little volume collects quotes, many from movies, TV, books, comics and even video games, that are often repeated by sci-fi fans, computer geeks, and others who never sat at the popular table in the cafeteria. For each quote, there is a short essay that meditates on the philosophy and lessons found in that particular bit of wisdom as well as those in the larger context of the original work. I love this book.
It's no secret that contemplating the lessons in everyday things is right up my alley, but this book is even more endearing because it champions many of those undervalued segments of today's entertainment. Through each essay, the authours reveal what fans have known all along, that those who create these works are artists like any other. They use their media to explore life, to play with concepts and express ideas about our human experience. There is dignity in the art.
Furthermore, what this book and others like it do is reassure us that what we think about our world is no less important than what we dig out of some dusty old tome. Too often, we think of wisdom as something handed to us by ancient sages. We take our cues from revered philosophers, religious texts or historical figures. We tend to devalue our own observations or those of our contemporaries. While there is surely some wisdom we can gain by listening to Ben Franklin, we shouldn't ignore what the X-Men have to say about the human condition. The truth is that wisdom is where you find it, and it is our nature both to offer our own ideas through our art and to seek ideas in the art of others. As Terry Pratchett's witches observed (and I have to paraphrase, but you can read his books for yourself to find the exact quote- I promise, you won't regret it) the world is full of signs and omens, you just have to pick the right ones to pay attention to.
Instead of engaging in prejudice against literature or other arts that are normally considered "fun", we should be considering what we can learn from them. And, of course, enjoying them because happiness is good for you as well. To revisit the earlier metaphor, when we look at that plate, we find it's not filled with candy after all. These are vegetables, too.
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