Cold War Kid

Growing up in the 80's I never realized what kind of TV I was used to watching. Or I should say I never realized the themes which were typically present. Being that we, as a country, had been stuck in a Cold Ward with other non-Democratic nations (must subversively Russia, then known as the USSR) that had apparently affected all the entertainment brought to us children. This was something I had never considered until my brother, years later in the 'groovy 90's' told me that watching shows like GI Joe and Transformers were all about pushing the Cold War propaganda of Us vs. Them.

Being a different kind of kid throughout those later years I do remember reading the Communist Mannifesto to understand what all the hoopla was about over Communism. Even the phrase "What are you a communist" is used, not as much, but used nonetheless to describe someone who doesn't conform to a certain standard or ideal. Regardless of what my parents were thinking at the time or what the Prez was talking about (although the Berlin Wall being torn down is one of my favorite moments not in the mode of democracy winning out, but that families and a divided country were finally reunited) I never realized how much that theme of 'Good Guys vs. Bad Guys' has affected my creative writing so much.

I started writing in 3rd grade and most of my stories were similar themed but more so in a romantic comedy vein. Although I'm still a big fan of the romantic comedy I really start to jones for a quality Good vs. Evil tale. Upon seeing Transformers (which in my mind was clearly superior to the 80's feature length cartoon) I was reminded of those characters growing up and even got a little misty-eyed over the whole concept of the good guys winning in the end.

I never realized how embedded it was watching Duke from GI Joe work with his fellow good guys to vanquish guys who were out to cause strife in the rest of the world. Or even the slightly more lighthearted Danger Mouse try to take foil Baron Greenback's plans every week. Reading Harry Potter, which often blurs the line between good and bad, still sparks a strong emotional hope for the good guys to win.

That's probably why I still watch wrestling and get excited when a good wrestler (often known as a 'face') comes in to save another wrestler who's getting ganged up on. Or feel a sense of triumph when a bad wrestler (known as a 'heel') turns good unexpectedly. Likewise, the disappointment and heartbreak of seeing a good wrestler turn on his friend in a tag match.

How much of that also affects leadership. You get so hopeful when you see a leader with Optimus Prime like qualities. Someone who practices self sacrifice, compassion, and even a sense of humor (our most humanistic trait). As I got older and started to fully understand the concepts of storytelling including the exaggeration which often follows a tale of heroism, I thankfully not too ignorant to know that all leaders aren't perfect. But I'm also happy to still look at a leader, or even a friend, and say "that person's a good person, I'd follow them anywhere."

pb

PS I do find it interesting that despite the obvious good vs. evil struggle in those cartoons there was also never death. For some reason the Joes and Cobra were really good at missing each other directly but being able to blow up a tank with one laser shot. In Transformers, they did get shot a lot but they were robots who could be fixed. Amazing that my generation had the good vs. bad struggle but not concern over heroes/villains passing away.

PPS I know that the last column was England Thoughts Part 1, suggesting a part 2 coming soon. It will, I needed to share this thought while it was on my head.