My mythic identity, James T. Kirk, fits into the mythology of Star Trek, but you knew that. He is the acting captain of the USS enterprise. Historically, he is the future, embodying the ideals of a future where humanity is united in the search and drive for education, peace and unity with the galaxy around them. His rock-star position is an embodiment of the society around him putting their resources and values into the federation, a philanthropic and knowledge driven entity. The anthropological ramifications of such unified and open minded society have resulted not only in space travel of trans-galactic peace. Kirk faces challenges to his own humanity across his adventure on the bridge, facing extreme loss of his friends, crew members and even his own son. The condition of life has not changed drastically, there is still death, pain and loss to counterbalance life, peace and safety. Cosmologically, the universe is even more "understood" than we know today but even more vast, the final frontier if you will. The crew still faces the unknown regularly, coming toe to toe with god and even travels through time to rescue whales (worst premise ever.) Aetiologically the universe of Star Trek is a little tough to nail down. The closest example readily available (without spending all my life watching old episodes)is the ancient and powerful mental skills of the Vulcan unifying humanity with the the peaceful species of the universe, explored in First Contact. Filmed about Bozeman, kind of.
The Various races of the Star Trek universe live in a utopian society were peace is paramount and even economics are obsolete on earth. The violent and evil are judged justly, normally with a Kirk powered sucker-punch, and then galactic tribunal.
Each character throughout the show and films has their own unique mental challenges and dangers to face. As mentioned earlier, Kirk is confronted with his own son (Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan) and comes to grips with his realization about his personal connections through the loss of Spock in the same film. Across the series Kirk is both a petulant youthful captain balling through space with bravado and wit, as well as a revered and legendary retiree reaching a cosmological ideal of peace and justice through the nexus. (Generations.)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Myth Journal #1
Being as supremely nerdy as myself, i would have to trade places with/become or embody captain James Tiberius Kirk, acting captain of the Starship Enterprise NCC-1701. Kirk, while being an intergalactic lothario and hurtling through the universe along side his stalwart crew of scientists and warriors (with a few expendable redshirts thrown in for good measure) is also a man of principle. His endeavors, while not always believable, all carry a certain mentality of arrogant justice. Justice that is embodied by his legendary career of thwarting evil and standing for the right to freedom for all sentient beings, also tribbles.
The characteristic strength of leadership combined with a traditionally American emphasis is something we here in TV land could definitely consider mythic. Here is an all-American, midwestern farm boy relatable by the standards of your most conservative and bigoted stereotype, standing for peace and science in the unknown. What a uniquely contradicting and unifying character. Given the chance to don the golden velour for a day, no, week-hell give me a season at the helm, I would be sure to cover my bases. First thing is first, I would need to rescue an obscure colony or Starfleet outpost from impending supernova, stand toe to toe with Klingon warlords and of course discover a new and dangerous life form that would eventually become benign after an appropriate level of peril and language-barrier transcendence.
Being someone who generally observes and fixates upon the worst in people, finding them unacceptable on the whole, Kirk is one who will turn enemies to allies when given the chance. However loathe I am to give people a fair shake, ol' Jimmy has me impressed. He gets over xenophobia and anger to the aim of peace and sometimes awesome space-justice. His crew would be nothing without him. In the absence of Kirk, not only would the show be boring, but the crew itself would fall apart. Spock would inevitably get haymaker'd by McCoy, Uhura would have no one to glance upon furtively, Scotty's hypertension wouldnae be able to give her any more and numerous space maidens would go cold on lonely celestial voyages. In other words, without Kirk there would be chaos. The mythic power to inspire and tether those around him together is something we could all use a bit more of in our little existence. Also, he has his own spaceship, Starfleet bedamned, that girl is all Kirk's.
The characteristic strength of leadership combined with a traditionally American emphasis is something we here in TV land could definitely consider mythic. Here is an all-American, midwestern farm boy relatable by the standards of your most conservative and bigoted stereotype, standing for peace and science in the unknown. What a uniquely contradicting and unifying character. Given the chance to don the golden velour for a day, no, week-hell give me a season at the helm, I would be sure to cover my bases. First thing is first, I would need to rescue an obscure colony or Starfleet outpost from impending supernova, stand toe to toe with Klingon warlords and of course discover a new and dangerous life form that would eventually become benign after an appropriate level of peril and language-barrier transcendence.
Being someone who generally observes and fixates upon the worst in people, finding them unacceptable on the whole, Kirk is one who will turn enemies to allies when given the chance. However loathe I am to give people a fair shake, ol' Jimmy has me impressed. He gets over xenophobia and anger to the aim of peace and sometimes awesome space-justice. His crew would be nothing without him. In the absence of Kirk, not only would the show be boring, but the crew itself would fall apart. Spock would inevitably get haymaker'd by McCoy, Uhura would have no one to glance upon furtively, Scotty's hypertension wouldnae be able to give her any more and numerous space maidens would go cold on lonely celestial voyages. In other words, without Kirk there would be chaos. The mythic power to inspire and tether those around him together is something we could all use a bit more of in our little existence. Also, he has his own spaceship, Starfleet bedamned, that girl is all Kirk's.
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