I am not big on psychology. The human mind is vastly complex. However, I think I may have a few ideas on our latest mass killer that may be useful.
First, all of us have things about ourselves we don't like, Most of us work these things out internally or, sometimes with the help of others, We realize that the fault is in us. Sometimes, for reasons that I don't think anyone really understands, something goes wrong, and we project our failings, or perceived failings (sometimes we just don't fit in with societies norms. It's not that we are doing anything truly immoral, we just don't fit. At the same time, what we dislike in ourselves may be some thing not acceptable by any system of morality) and, when we see those traits in others, we despise them. This is called projection. I suppose we all do this a little, especially when young, but most soon learn to deal with the faults in themselves. Again, here and there, things simply go wrong and this leads to another problem.
Carl Jung wrote of archetypes of the collective unconscious. These are seemingly possible ideals of patterns of behavior that we all are in touch with. Jung believed they have a existence separate fro ours. Where they come from and how they exist, we have no idea, but they are there and very dangerous. Jung, rightly believed that getting caught by an archetype and identifying with it was disastrous since it prevented the further growth of the individual. You lock yourself into a set stereotype of behavior and belief that is only one aspect of existence.
There are many archetypes. For example, the World Savior. Jesus and Buddha are 2 examples of this. Whether those actual historic beings saw themselves that way is unknown. I somehow doubt it, but others view them as such.
Another example is the Avenger. Examples are the Archangel Michael, the Jewish Messiah, the Shambala warriors of Buddhism and Kalki, scheduled to be the cleansing and final avatar of Vishnu in the Kali Yuga. This has become a disturbingly prevalent archetype in our modern world. Look at popular movies of recent years, all the way from Dirty Harry and Death Wish to Batman and, yes The Avengers. Rorshach in The Watchmen is a perfect example. This image of the righteous battler of evil, seeking out and destroying the bad guys is a dominant archetype in our times.
Now, sane people know that this is entertainment and while they may get a kick out of seeing evil doers get wiped out, they are aware that this is not acceptable behavior. But, take a slightly unhinged mind, one that thinks it is the final arbiter of right and wrong, especially when it is assured of such by a fanatic religious movement, and you have a problem.
What to do? Well, you cannot and should not stop making entertaining, action packed movies just because they touch off the fuse in a madman's mind. I suppose, if you see someone, beginning to obsess on this need to right wrongs and destroy bad guys, you may want to talk to them, carefully about those thoughts, possibly encouraging them to get a little help. Again, be very careful with this, lest they decide you are one of the bad guys they have to destroy. If you feel you cannot do this, or have reason to fear them, a word to authorities may be called for. I say that regretfully. I hate to think we have come to the point where we start telling police about our weird neighbors but, if they truly seem dangerous, we must.
I would strongly urge parents to use caution in allowing your kids to see any films or TV shows that glorify the crusading avenger. The ultimate answer is for our society to finally grow up and stop declaring behaviors that hurt no one to be horribly immoral. We have to stop this Manichean, all is totally good or totally bad approach to the World.
No comments:
Post a Comment