Tuesday, October 28, 2008
SPECIAL
I wonder why it is so difficult for people to abide by rules and conventions-why everyone has to be SPECIAL. I had some issues at the Selma Review that give me pause. Is EVERYONE just special enough that they can do whatever they want, and damn the instructor and his plans? Generally, when I feel at my worst, I think that most people just take what they want regardless of what the plan is. And we, as designers of activities, just have to eat our frustration as we watch the kids learn the WRONG lesson: "you are special so forget what your instructor says; the rules are good enough for the rest of 'them' but YOU deserve special treatment. augh.
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Check out this review from "The Incredibles":
'Mr. Incredible working as a pencil-pushing insurance claims adjudicator, Mrs. Incredible (aka Elastigirl) as a housewife, and their children Dash and Violet forced to ignore their powers and meld into an unnatural school life. Mr. Incredible is repeatedly chastised for trying to do his job well and help people at the expense of the bottom line, at one point getting a demeaning lecture from his boss about being a cog in a giant clock. Dash is denied the opportunity to play sports because his power of super-speed means that he might excel. When he fights with his mother, pointing out that he is special, she insists that "everyone is special." Dejectedly, he looks down and mumbles, "then no one is." Similarly, Mr. Incredible gets in a fight with his wife, trying to intercede on his son's behalf, and bemoans the fact that the school stages a fourth-grade "graduation." This, he insists, represents the constant modern-day effort to find new ways of rewarding mediocrity.'
Interesting, Huh?
Indeed yes! My post concerned those who seem to feel that their own needs trump the common good. I may be a commie, but really isn't that a type of narcissism? If I am so special that I can "maverick" my way through the conventions of the world without regard to impact, I must be most important. I agree with Dash: If we keep on this way, "then no one is."
Oh! I understand now. "The Incredibles" is a little bit different perspective. Although the "anti-hero" in this is bucking the system for his own good and doesn't care about the impact on others.
You've been tagged in my blog. (Just a little fun... like you've got nothing else to do, eh?)
My, slightly philosophical question, would be... are you asking the right question. If a man were to lay down his own desire for that of others, is it really impressive? Said in reverse it would look like this. Wouldn't we rather have that our desire would be fulfilled in the service of others, rather than have our desire nullified for the sake of others? If our desire is not for others, than what moral good would our service be?
hmm, I think I should simplify that. I think the root problem is simply that we have no love. Love gives, and delights in giving. What we need is love.
Trophies for fifth place (out of 7 mind you)...."because they worked so hard"...eek!
BandGuy,
Welcome to the world of blog. It is a wonderful place to vent. But also you vent in a public place, so you must think before writing. What you say is good. We do not live in a vacuum. Our actions do speak and do have consequences on others.
Great to have another traveler in the blogsphere.
Your colleague in torture.
http://sixbeesofexeter.blogspot.com/
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the welcome. I know one needs to think about what he/she puts into a public forum, BUT...I really think that this feeling that EVERYBODY needs or deserves special treatment is a sickness in our society...that was my point. As a leader of a youth activity, I see it a lot...way more than I feel I should. But I think these blogs exist in their time...and maybe this one's time is past now. Up to the reader to decide.
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