Whether it's Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen or one of the other dozen versions of Spider-Man, people love this character. What is it about this character that has endeared him to audiences for over 50 years. Is it the stories that he's been involved in, the cast of characters around him or is it what he represents that has resonated with people so well for so long. By looking at the history of the character through all mediums, analyze what is it about the wall crawler that makes him and all his variants such a timelessly likable character.
I like this topic a lot because one of the most important things for superheroes to be popular and culturally important is their relatability. Even some of the most popular characters like Superman and Batman that have unbelievable abilities maintain some aspects of ourselves as humans like struggling with restraint, trauma, loss, identity, belonging, etc. Looking through the history of Spider-Man, he seems to be marketed as one of the most clearly, universally relatable heroes since his iterations are usually young humans dealing with very common young human issues like love, family, and even work-life balance. I think writing on this topic would require the targeted marketing of Spider-Man as an every-man/woman type to be explored more fully in connection with his overall likability and resonance. – Aaron5 years ago
I think even beyond his colorful and striking design, Spider-Man's resonance is sourced from him dealing with everyday problems many, if not, most people can relate to. Though he's a hard worker, he's poor, he's bullied, struggles in romance, handling his job, etc. All this on top of being a superhero who risks his life every day defending NYC citizens who are often ungrateful (depending on the writer). It grounds him as a character and shows that anyone can wear the mask, i.e be a hero who helps others, even in the face of adversity. – ImperatorSage5 years ago
The spider-man story usually starts in high school, and I think that is part of what makes it so appealing. The character is so average and relatable. He acts like any one of us would act. – kairigainsborough5 years ago
Very broad, unspecific and unoriginal. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Analyze how creating an image for "death" and having death be a character changes or impacts a piece of literature and in what ways. I immediately think of "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak and how he portrayed death to be its own entity in the novel. This alongside the mini story J.K Rowling had in her well known Harry Potter series called "Tales of Beedle the Bard" death is yet again seen as someone in a human like form.
It might be worth taking a look at the great work that Lindsay Ellis has done on this subject, both on her personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aNax1Rhs-w) and with PBS Digital Studios (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQjHILQ0OQ). I'm sure there is still plenty worth talking about that she missed, to which I'd caution the prospective author against risking too close a retread. – ProtoCanon5 years ago
It would be interesting to look at Death in the context of greek mythology as well as the role of time within death particularly in Alice through the looking glass. Time has control over death but as the film continues the audience see Time as a caretaker if anything. – NCSERCOMBE5 years ago
An analysis into why modern streaming services like Netflix are picking up, and even creating, content that is modeled after the 1980s. Why is a decade that most of the viewers of these shows never experienced so popular in contemporary culture?
I'd attribute the current 80s trend mainly to two main factors, though I'm sure there are many more. On the one hand, people tend to remember their formative years in a positive light while simultaneously shutting out more complex issues they weren't paying attention to at the time. The 1980s, like any decade, had its share of crises (the AIDS epidemic, the Cold War, the state of the global economy, etc.). For children and teens, however, their focus was probably not on these issue they couldn't or didn't want to engage with, instead focusing on music, movies, video games, or other media that we would now identify as "classic 80s." So now that those former kids and teens are older and producing their own content, their memories of that time tend to be overwhelmingly positive and rose-colored (unless they're creating something grounded more in reality). And if those trends hold up, their creation becomes popular and delivers on their creative investment. Which leads to the second factor: If someone comes up with a popular idea, everyone will want to copy it to get some of that sweet revenue; for every Stranger Things that hits a cultural chord, you'll get Ready Player One or Fuller House to that exists mostly to ride the 80s nostalgia wave. I don't think there's anything inherently special about the 1980s that makes it any more ripe for nostalgia than any other decade, it's just the one that's in vogue right now. But then again, my nostalgia is for the 90s, so maybe I'm just biased. – CulturallyOpinionated5 years ago
It's 2019 and animated series and movies are finally tackling some more serious themes and ideas in their stories, but on the whole are still marketed towards children and younger age demographics. While I can appreciate exposing children to these kinds of stories, why are most adults still scoffing at the idea of watching anything that isn't made with "real actors" when animation can sometimes achieve what the largest of special effects budgets can't? It should focus on western media mostly, as I am already aware that anime has been doing this for ages already.
You bring up a great question, MissAila! I'm in my mid-40s, and I accept animation as a medium, but I know a few people in my parents' generation who will not watch animated movies. Those are solely for kids. And if they aren't for kids, then they are not only anomalies but abominations. I remember trying to watch the 1981 movie Heavy Metal when I was a kid, and my Dad was flabbergasted by it. He thought it was disgusting. I can only imagine his reaction to Netflix's Love, Death, and Robots, which is even more adult. So I don't really have an answer to your question, but I wonder if there is a generational difference and whether growing up with Saturday morning cartoons and Disney animated films makes a difference, too. – ChadW5 years ago
You bring up a very good point in the lack of animation as a medium for films/tv shows with a more mature setting. Perhaps people see it as a childish alternative to having actors portray something on screen (in terms of Western media), due to the fact that cartoons are mainly used to produce material with a target audience of children. It's hard to grasp that a medium with so much economic power in the East (namely, Japanese Anime) has little power to grasp audiences' attentions in the West. – davparth5 years ago
This is such a cool topic idea! I definitely think it's worth touching on "adult animation" that has been geared toward an older audience--think about the shows that have aired on Adult Swim, like Robot Chicken, the Boondocks, Rick and Morty, etc.--and also how streaming services like Netflix have tried to capture that niche as well with Bojack Horseman and Tuca and Bertie. Typically these shows use adult humor rather than darker subjects, but it would be interesting to see what you think might separate it from animation geared towards kids. – Eden5 years ago
I believe origin of animation as a medium played a huge role in it. Animation when it was initially made was a tiring process within itself it was almost impossible to include mature themes in animation in those days (given it was made in 1900's) and the imagery that was projected was cute, childish without much theme. This set the benchmark for most of the animation slowly people's ideology towards anime changed and people started felling animation was for kids(mainly because movies started tackling mature issues and animation remained as it was). In more recent times companies like Disney and Pixar had a lot of influence on animation they created family friendly animations(kids films) and channels like cartoon network, pogo, and other big names aired cartoon shows (kids films again) slowly creating the stigma that animation is a medium meant for kids Though, really I loved your topic and the questions it raised I must point out that this is not entirely true yes, main stream animation is not very famous for portraying adult themes and yes adults think animation is for kids , due to rise of web streaming another kind of animation is slowly becoming more famous(The Rise Of Anime),a medium which was doing it since its humble beginnings. If you can dig deep there are many really old anime that are adult themed (hell lot too many).Upon closer inspection there are a very rare few European and american animations that dealt with serious political,Social themes and served as critiques But saying that it is also true that tough they were always there, they never got the mainstream attention that they are getting now . I must give you a thumbs up for that Anyways great topic buddy
– PSSRV5 years ago
Animated films tackling darker or mature themes isn't really new in my opinion, I think the difference is that they're more prevalent and more people are aware of them. Japanese animation is obviously far ahead than U.S animation in terms of tackling more mature subject matter, but U.S animation has had it too with Samurai Jack, Avatar TLA, Spectacular Spider-Man, The Boondocks, many of the Disney/Pixar films and a few Dreamworks films, etc. I personally find it very frustrating how much animation is looked down as by general audiences, especially by older generations, though they have somewhat more of an excuse. With that said, I think it's also close-minded to generalize an entire medium just because all what one was exposed to from that medium were low-quality Saturday morning cartoons. There's also the fact that there were and are people who expect all media to cater to kids and thus try to censor or restrict anything that doesn't fit their preconceived idea of "child-friendly programs", and animation (and comic books) received the bulk of this, in my opinion. – ImperatorSage5 years ago
For many writers, keeping a personal journal or a personal blog is a necessary creative outlet to keep work private. However, simultaneously they are creating content that is relevant to a wide audience and likely highly different than their personal writings. How do they manage these different voices for very different audiences while maintaining their integrity to who they are as creatives? Creativity does not happen in a vacuum, and it's important to be able to cater to a number of different audiences (with the self or future self being a potential audience as well).
I enjoy this topic, I struggle with this quite often. Finding the time to write, sometimes all I end up with is a journal entry and nothing polished or in proper story format. Although I know daily struggles are something people can relate to, I don't want to brand myself as that kind of writer when I want to publish short fiction. I write in very different voices when not in-character with a story. It would be a worthwhile article to the majority of people on this platform to read, and know whether it's beneficial cultivating a personal presence online as a writer on various platforms. – Slaidey5 years ago
Writers, as all humans do, come with their own intentions behind what they write. However, with editors as middle men, is the world shaped for the better as writers are forced to take on the advice of those trying to mold a final product for a reader. Sometimes a piece of writing can be made more interesting by this process, and a writers piece is molded for the better, which personal blogs miss out on having. Are they better off for that? – Elpis19885 years ago
Good topic to explore. I think it comes down to expressing oneself in stream of writing consciousness in a journal versus editing and being grammatically correct in one's published works. I don't censor myself in either realm. If I am writing a memoir most of what I write comes out naturally. However, there are lines that need to be drawn and one needs to consider one's audience and the potential to offend so I might change a name used or eliminate a specific word. I think this is really interesting because my journal and my writing are very closely linked, whereas there are some writers who insist that their characters have "nothing to do with them or their lives" and i think this is a lack of awareness on their part because EVERYTHING one writes comes from that individual's psyche and cumulative experiences. I only heard one author insist that her characters were nothing like her and she did not experience what they experienced and no interviewer really took her seriously but she maintains this position vigilantly. Not all writers explore the depths of their psyche and she is a good writer but not a great one because even though her characters are good it feels like their is something missing. I really don't know how one could be a good writer and not be connected to different parts of one's psyche as they are expressing themselves in a given character. I analyze and process things on a very deep level;some writers do not. I have always preferred the deep thinkers like Tolstoy and Cervantes whose complexity of characters is remarkable. – youngmollflanders5 years ago
Lately, a lot of movies are coming out and do not end the way that viewers hope: everyone together and happy. While this seems like it would turn a lot of people away from movies, especially those about love and relationships, it actually is improving ratings and gaining more viewers because many of those in the audience can relate to the negative life events. Is this bringing us closer as a society and enhancing reality, or have we lost the original goal of movies which was to give viewers an escape from reality?
I think it's an interesting issue, one worth researching further. I do not agree, however, with the generalisation. There are movies which are simply for entertainment (escapism), but there are also other ones which are very thought-provoking. It is difficult to take a stance that argues one or the other. I would suggest, instead, looking into some examples from both poles and exploring the effects and goals both types of movies have. :)
– Kaya5 years ago
I love the idea of this topic, especially now that The Avengers series has come to an end. Although "End Game" ended relatively happily, major characters were still sacrificed and lost, something superhero fans are not accustomed to (and "Infinity War" had everyone shook). Another good example is the popularity of Game of Thrones where death is ever present and characters perpetually suffer through tragedies. I especially like you bringing up romance movies, and personally think the sad endings are grounding people to reality and feeling more for the situations. Are we as a culture, growing up? – Slaidey5 years ago
I really like the idea of this post, but I am not so sure that all viewers are actually expecting or 'hoping' a movie to be ending a particular way ('together and happy'). Yes, a lot of movies are created with the intent to create some Utopian, idealised fantasy of happily ever after, but I also think that in the past there has been a lot of movies created along the romantic-comedy genre that end this way, and may be just what people expect to see sometimes. I think that the creation of movies that do not end in happy bliss are a good thing; maybe because it shows that in life things are not so perfect (and thus people can relate). But also, it may be a good thing as far as movies go in general, as variety in movie endings is always new and exciting. So, in fact, it may just be that viewers are just liking the different 'end' of movies, or it could be, like you said, because it relates to their own personal life. Regardless, movies are not real, they are art forms, depictions, and products of society and culture, and they take on different meanings to whomever may be viewing them. – jessicarealist5 years ago
It is a very interesting issue and agree that it is something to look further into! And also I agree that some people are just liking the different end of movie or somehow related to their life and personal issues ! – sunshinemegz895 years ago
With art now mirroring real life where not every ending is a happy fairy tale one, it offers more solace and acceptance to those who are really struggling with severe problems when not everything goes their way. It is okay to win and many times, lose. Not great endings allows people the chance of having something/one relatable to them and their fates in current times of increasing loneliness. For example, if a character they cared about failed miserably and then, a similar situation befell them, it will not prove as devastating as compared to having plots where everything is always happening perfectly as people on social media and increasingly in real lives, are trying to portray. – Dr. Vishnu Unnithan4 years ago
There are way too many articles written out there that have a heavy-handed focus on the male gaze. It is a tight rope talk to discuss the gaze in general, especially in regards to objectivity in what/who is being looked at. I would love to see an article written about the many wonderful works that have an erotica theme to them, especially from creators like Katie Skelly, Kyoko Okazaki, Lisa Hanawalt, Gengoroh Tagame, and even through a bit more mainstream comics like 'Sex Criminals' and 'Sex' from Image Comics. It would be great to get more of a perspective on the female gaze, instead of the male gaze, and would be even better to get this examination from a female perspective. Erotica can present a very interesting relationship with its readers, especially from a voyeuristic perspective, and I feel like it can be a fine line for some when it comes to how the body is presented. However, when it's done right, erotica can really celebrate the body, dig into gender/sex politics, social rights and cultural ideologies as a whole (especially when creators like Guido Crepax and Milo Manara are put into the conversation). It would be worthwhile to discuss a topic that can hold a mirror up to many of us and get right to the subject matter that can be deemed taboo to some.
I recently read the book 'Ways of Seeing' by John Berger and some of the themes he discusses are centred around the gaze especially in art and contemporary Western visual culture. I like your proposition to examine this stance from a female perspective. However, there is a long and complex historical tradition, especially in art, which favors the male gaze and which objectifies the nude female body which needs to be taken into account. – Kaya5 years ago
Suspiria (2018) might be a great film to dig into this. It is thoroughly erotically-charged, but never in a purely physical or sexual sense; concerned more with physicality and power, force and affect than anything else. Really interesting. – joshasoflate5 years ago
The last season of Game of Thrones has garnered significant audiences as well as criticism in its handling of the fates of its female characters. However the abuse of Westerosi women for ratings has not been a fresh take from the showrunners. Analyse how the use of sexual violence and patriarchal narratives disguised by capitalist feminism has always led to the bitter defeat of the women in Game of Thrones.
It expresses an ironic reality that we live in. An aspect that woman empowerment highlights upon. But after all, it's just a show. – Zoran5 years ago
I really like this topic. Keep in mind one could go back to the very first episode of season one to get a sense of the misogyny and brutal treatment of women as predictors for the series' final portrayal and fate of female characters. In this sense, the show has always seemed to me to retain a very 1970s feel in its use and abuse of women as disposable commodities. – MarkTodd5 years ago
I see a lot of people countering this argument with evidence like "Sansa became queen of the North as an independent country, and Arya got to go explore a new world all on her own, so the women weren't treated that badly" but I have to agree with this topic. If you take every woman in the cast and summarize their story arc, they were not treated fairly or with respect as individuals with potential to make great stories. – MissAila5 years ago
I am part of that 1% that has never seen or been interested in GoT. At first it was because I thought it was all explicit scenes and that was the premise of the entire movie because that first season oomf, very hard to even get passed the first episode. Not my type of genre. Then I realized that the plot line is actually interesting. Instead of watching, I looked through recaps and understood what the story was through that. Not the words of a fanatic, but even I was disappointed by how they painted the characters. If we focus on the women specifically, we were given poor character development (rushed for Daenerys) she was made to be the villain so quickly. Sansa and Arya deserved so much more. Arya defeated the night kind for crying out loud and all we get for her closure is that she goes exploring. – njavaid5 years ago
Good idea for a piece, but keep in mind that some of the show's characters, Arya in particular, escape or carve a place for themselves outside the patriarchal power structure. She is the ultimate special forces operative--solo, brains over brawn, the only one in the battle against the White Walkers to learn (via the famous scene in the library) to learn about her adversary in order to penetrate their ranks--how else could she have maneuvered into a position to kill him? Unfortunately, the only logical conclusion was her own self-expulsion--she literally did not fit in any Westeros order and needs to find/explore her own brave new world. – barbarafalk5 years ago
At the end of the final season, Tyrion's motivation for choosing Bran as the new king begins with this line: "There's nothing in the world more powerful than a good story. Nothing can stop it. No enemy can defeat it. " And this line summarizes how the writers have failed the women of Game of Thrones--particularly Daenarys, who by all rights should have been Queen. When you think back to the earlier seasons (and when you read the books) you get a clear sense of the larger story from the perspective of many different characters. In fact the novels are organized around events told from the varying perspectives of the major characters. We can see the world through the minds of Cersei, the Starks, Tyrion, Daenerys, and others. But, when you compare this narrative strategy to the final season, it's clear that the narrative loses this quality and predominantly focuses in on a few narrative perspectives: Jon's, Tyrion's, and Jaimie's. For this reason, we don't really know why Daenerys chooses to burn King's Landing to the ground because we are never privy to her perspective. We are only told that she is "mad" and are forced to accept it. And when the characters reflect on Daenerys's past actions, her reasoning for her actions aren't included, her perspective is erased. And in that sense, Daenerys's story is stolen from her--rewritten by those who would rather see Jon on the throne because he is thought to be the "rightful heir." Thus, the power of story, indeed! On a final note: George R. R. Martin makes it pretty clear in Fire and Blood that the rightful Targaryen ruler is always the one with dragons. – bsumpn5 years ago
Western comics have an intimate relationship with the democracies in which they originated. It would be interesting to better understand how the two interact: that is, how the underlying ideas of democracy have influenced superhero stories, and in turn, how superheroes affected our ideas of democracy. For instance, Captain America was created during WWII as a champion against fascism, but the way he has been envisioned and even the person filling the role has changed over time, perhaps reflecting society's changes.
More recently the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been tremendously successful, and several of its movies seem to approach interesting issues. A core question Civil War asks is how much power a democratic government should have to control the ethical decision making of individual participants (and upholders) of that democracy? The movie appeared (May 2016) at a time when it seems Western democracies were going into crisis. With themes about rebellion from overly controlling governments, did it influence people's thoughts going into Brexit (June 2016) or the Trump election (Nov 2016). Another instance is the ongoing theme in many comics of the deep resilience of participatory forms of government, which we see again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's End Game. Might that have similar influences?
The very mode of production of comics as descendants of pulp is democratic in terms of its mass production, popular culture, affordability. Moreover, its origins as art/literature written for children in essence made a niche for itself by creating its own adult market out of those children who then grew up and still wanted more. That reflects the mythological tie between liberal democracy and free market capitalism in that the demand of the consumers dictates the production of a supply though in fact the products breed further desire for consumption that merely appear as a self-generating demand. In a similar fashion, the rejection of the military in characters of the MCU like Stark and Rogers only appears to represent a democratic appeal to the common people but a closer examination reveals that the MCU ends up remaining a propaganda machine for the anti-democratic status quo when it vilifies such agendas as environmentalism (Thanos) or minority reparations or equality (Killmonger) at a time when climate destruction is demanding from our collective hand more extreme measures and Black Lives Matter struggles to have its voice heard. – williamnolen115 years ago
Apathy is a common emotion experienced with games that follow a “choose your own adventure” focus. Usually these game feature branching storylines, character deaths and the impacts of the player’s choices. Notable games in this genre include TellTale Games’ The Walking Dead Game and Square Enix’s Life is Strange.
Discuss, perhaps from a personal view, how the player may experience apathy after playing a choose-your-own-adventure. Is apathy a foregone conclusion after playing one of these games or does it vary on the player? As well, what are some of the other reasons a player may experience apathy? Could it be from the writing, disjointed plot, lack of character importance?
I believe this can be an interesting topic. When a person plays these forms of games, they are making drastic story-altering decisions in a limited amount of time. While people may make thousands of decisions a day, for the most part they are subconsciously thought about where the decisions we make are almost instinctual or based on personal bias. With these Choose Your Own Adventure Games, while being fictional, you are making these split second choices not for yourself but another person, even more so these games often give gravity to the weight of your decisions. Now from a writing perspective, these stories are very hard to properly cultivate because there are so many variables that making choices right from the first episodes already limits the possible paths you can take. Because of that, these games can be a completionist nightmare purely because each decision could impact just a scene or the entire feel of the story and having to go back over multiple times could feel like a mute point unless the story was worth re-watching.
– Kevin Mohammed5 years ago
You don't need to be a dead rockstar to be martyred anymore! Rocketman (the film) is being released May 31, documenting Elton John's rise to fame. Bohemian Rhapsody (the film) came out last year, depicting Freddie Mercury's tribulations. This is It and Leaving Neverland offer some disturbingly different accounts of Michael Jackson's career. The Dirt (Motley Crue film) was torn to shreds for its authenticity shortly after its release. Compare and contrast rockumentary films and discuss what impact these glorified stories have on fans. Does it matter whether a rockstar is alive or dead when the film is made?
A legend in his own lunchtime! Nice idea for an article. Good luck to whomever picks it. You have my vote, emaglio. Approved. – Amyus5 years ago
No, it does not matter if the musician is dead or alive and it is essential that we show successive generations the musical talent of artists who played instruments because music is something which is disappearing form the curricula of schools across the United States and unfortunately commercial successes are almost never musicians anymore. Rockumentaries are essential to introduce new generations to the alternative to rap, to show them how Freddy Mercury was so talented at piano and how a beautiful melody enhances well-written lyrics. I know this is not what you asked but I wanted to comment on the importance of these biopics in the revival of real music not synthesized detritus. All of the musicians you mentioned played at least one instrument and it is VITAL that we continue to educate successive generations about the beauty and artistry of music. – youngmollflanders5 years ago
Writing is an essential part of many people's lives, including my own; however, sometimes actually sitting down to write may be an issue. Whether it be due to limited time, lack of motivation, or distractions, writing may not come as naturally as we may wish it did. Perhaps it's the way in which we keep journals (or lack thereof of said journals), but what essentially would be a few techniques to keep you writing everyday? Is it simply writing whatever pops into your head, what you see, how you feel, details of your day, descriptions of your surrounds, and/or other details that you observe, feel, or imagine? What makes a "good" writing journal?
A fantastically simple yet useful topic to write about. I think coming up with a few different types of journals to talk about would be nice. As you mentioned, something which is just a list of events that have happened. Maybe a more structured journal with a formula such as today I went to _______ and felt _________ and I am grateful for _______. I definitely think a lot of people lack imagination and direction when it comes to journalling, so giving them some ideas and analysis of what could work would actually help! – walleaeaglehawk5 years ago
I think that there actually may be too many suggested guidelines when it comes to journaling. I had been trying different journaling techniques for years and was never able to find one that I could stick to for more than a few weeks. However, carrying a small journal around and writing whatever popped into my head is a tactic that has worked well for me. I think that journaling should be an act of self expression and a documentation of ones life. Too many formats and guidelines can stifle the creative aspect. – Raynee Hamilton5 years ago
When I first started journaling, I believed that what I was supposed to be doing was keeping a log of what I did daily but honestly that just made me feel worse when at the end of the day I had nothing significant to write down because I hadn't done anything significant with my day. Recently though, I've realized that journalling is more about keeping track of how you feel and it requires you to take a moment of your day to understand yourself and how you feel, and why that is. Everyone has their own motivation, and of course my journaling technique and motivation won't be the same as the next. But for me, it was about not forcing the words, but taking a moment to fully appreciate where I was, metaphorically and literally, and writing it down in a way that made me feel something, and left me much less anxious. Another thing that really made me committed to my journal was adding other aspects to it - I started drawing in my journal too. Somedays I chose to only draw instead of write, somedays I wrote a few pages, some days a poem, or other days I collected things like pressed flowers, tickets, and photos. To me this was the most important technique I found in staying committed to my journal - the continuous change made it so I was never tired of what I was doing, and I practiced new and old skills (I'm not very good at drawing) and the journal to me is a more full representation of my life because it is more than words but images and momentos. – chuard5 years ago
Analyse how the male characters are perceived in Avengers Endgame; especially the character of Thor. The movie breaks down conventions surrounding strong, and stereotypically masculine characters showing Thor in despair and defeated unable to deal with his 'failures'.
One scene that I feel is relative to this is Captain America being part of a support group for survivors of The Snap incident. – Kevin Mohammed5 years ago
This is a good topic as it talks about a serious issue as it relates to a popular film with a large reach. I think it would be good to also address how it shows Thor's mental health in a more comedic light and whether that is good or not for mental health awareness. – TheDude5 years ago
Both the comic and TV series "The Umbrella Academy" include the a robotic AI that looks and acts like the mother of the Umbrella Academy children and a hyper-intelligent chimpanzee that acts like a mentor/sidekick/Alfred character for the children. The comic series minimizes the role of Mother, however, while it maximizes the role of intelligent chimpanzees. We see chimpanzees all over the Umbrella Academy comic world taking on every role that humans normally do.
Why the difference between the two, and why do either of them include these figures in the first place? Why do the children have a robotic mother and a chimpanzee butler? How did these characters come about in the logic of the comic/series and why? What does the elimination of their backstories mean for the TV show/comic series?
Breakdown and analyse what makes super heroes tick and how they are an inspiration to us mortals. What are philosophical elements behind their characterisation and actions that appeal to an audience? Despite having unearthly abilities, humane qualities of superheroes are what makes them relatable to us. What are the psychological elements their creators have embedded in the stories that help us navigate our own challenges the way these characters do in comics, TV and film?
I think this is a notable and wonderful topic to look at. Why? because while we may feel limited in many physical aspects of our lives, we identify with a superhero in each of us whose imagination and mind has no limits. We are superheroes trapped in physical bodies and whom we identify with is perhaps where we feel the most limited. Superheroes hurl that limitation out the window for us! They are a wonderful way for us to channel our inner strength, power and courage. They provide an identity for us more in line with the truth and for this reason, I love this topic. – MinGHathorn5 years ago
Game of Thrones demonstrated that shows can be bigger than the movies being watched in the theater. With the ending of Games of Thrones, it seems like networks are investing more and more resources into big event shows. Netflix has The Last Airbender and The Witcher in active development, Amazon is working on Lord of the Rings show, and Disney has its Star Wars and Marvel shows that promise to have the production value of the films. With Game of Thrones' massive success, are big budget blockbuster shows becoming the norm?
This is a very interesting topic! I hope you would also discuss the consequences if these kind of shows became the norm--what might the repercussions be for small budget shows, fantasy lovers, or cable tv networks? What might be the pros/cons of this becoming the norm? I'm super stoked to read this. – Eden5 years ago
On Last Week Tonight on May 4, John Oliver commented that HBO is f****d after Game of Thrones finishes. He may be overstating it, but he brings up a good point: the landscape of TV is still changing. It had to change when streaming came into the picture, but now it's changing with the arrival of bigger and bigger quality TV. The Sopranos was a different kind of show. Then The Wire. Then Breaking Bad. Mad Men. And now Game of Thrones didn't just up the ante; instead, it went all in. Supposedly, the latest season cost $15 million per episode. If that's the going rate, a 10-episode season of a television show will cost $150 million. Can streaming services keep up with such costs? Does their business model even allow for such costs? I know Netflix is worth around $20 billion, but $150 million for a TV show season is the cost of a blockbuster movie that can expect to make way more than that through theatrical releases, etc. Can Netflix really see an uptick directly linked to such an expensive production that makes the $150 million outlay worth it? These streaming services are going to have to make a lot of changes in their models, methinks. – ChadW5 years ago
This is a very interesting topic! I hope you would also discuss the consequences if these kind of shows became the norm--what might the repercussions be for small budget shows, fantasy lovers, or cable tv networks? What might be the pros/cons of this becoming the norm? I'm super stoked to read this. – Eden 2 weeks ago – cwlsmelbourne5 years ago
The original God of War trilogy saw Kratos as a shallow killing machine, while the latest one gives a lot more depth to the famous character. The game revolves around Kratos and his son Atreus trekking the dangerous realms of Norse Mythology so they can reach the highest point and spread the ashes of his past love. How has Kratos changed and has he changed for the better with a son around? Is this game an accurate portrayal of a father and son?
Please explain why they want to reach the highest point and spread the ashes of his past love. It's helpful to add the reasons behind the stories. – Yvonne T.5 years ago
Another interesting contrast can be drawn between the stories told by Mimir about the father-son relationships between the Vanir gods and the evolution of Kratos throughout their journey. A comparison between the Greek and Viking philosophies of fatherhood can be examined as well to gain a deeper understanding behind the choices of the characters.
A different approach could highlight the role of parenthood as a whole with reference to Freya and Baldur, Thor and Magnus & Modi, etc. This topic seems really interesting and would make for a wonderful read. – simonmalik5 years ago
I think this topic is even more interesting since the release of the Raising Kratos documentary on YouTube because Cory Barlog is very transparent about his influence and motivation in making the father-son dynamic so integral to the new tone, narrative, and atmospheric direction. The central crew from Santa Monica are all quick to point out how their own experiences with raising children lent more emotion to the new direction, for better and worse, and they seem to be happy with the final depiction of fatherhood. From a personal perspective, I think the new direction is great because it slows the pace of the game to concentrate on the more poignant aspects of being a father while still acknowledging Kratos' quick-temper by having Atreus take on the role of "father" during some points of their journey. This is especially prominent in the scenes in which Atreus has to read anything for Kratos, and seeing the power structure flip in those moments complicates the depiction of fatherhood more by highlighting how parents must continue learning from their children even as they are tasked with teaching and raising them. Overall, Kratos seems to learn to embrace humanity and empathy more fully by the end of the journey while maintaining the strength that is needed to live in a world of Gods. – Aaron5 years ago
This is a proposition for the analysis of making choice and facing consequence in the anime (or the manga) series 'Tokyo Ghoul'. The character of Ken Kaneki can be taken as the main vehicle for exploring the philosophical idea of personal choices and the effects one has to face based on them. It can also be explored from a psychological stance, especially through delving into the divided identity of the protagonist in 'Tokyo Ghoul:re".
initially kaneki decides to stick with the delusion that he can live as a human even though his body is of a ghoul. he chooses to stay weak and naive. as a result he is taken by jason and tortured till his very psyche is fractured and split. he then flips then jumps from one side of the spectrum to the other far end. – SKala5 years ago
Many great writers never studied the craft. Today, more and more students are enrolling in creative writing degrees. Edward Delaney has written in The Atlantic, on 'Where great writers are made', about America's top graduate writing programs – emphasising the importance of time (money) and something to react against. Is that it? Lynn Davidson writes movingly in her article 'A roof over my head' for Text journal about structure, and being part of an ongoing conversation. How has the current long apprenticeship evolved; in what ways does it tap into a tradition of writing mentorships and creative communities and what aspects might be evidence that we are seeing a different model emerging?
My sub major is creative writing and I would have to say, if I didn't do the introductory unit to this course I would not have found my passion and love for poetry, writing and reading in general. I believe without studying it or practising creative writing you won't achieve the best that you can achieve. You won't get a lot out of it if you did it here and there. Studying it takes it to another level and I love that. In the end a writer should not write or get published just to earn money, my tutor told me if you are going about your profession this way then you are doing it wrong. You must do it because you love it and because you want your words to be heard and read. As I said earlier, I would not have found my passion for poetry and writing if I did not do this course. You can learn so much about different authors, writing techniques and to be honest you would be surprised how much you learn about yourself also. Of course, having a mentor or someone who knows creative writing well is always a good idea. Having support is so important especially if you want to get published one day. It can be challenging at times, I've been told you will get turned down but it is part of the job and the journey. – claraaa7 years ago
I love this topic. I studied creative writing and got degrees in it, which I definitely think helped get me published. Why study creative writing? My question is, Why not? – Stephanie M.7 years ago
It's always good to broaden your knowledge and hear from others, and writing skills be no different; but obviously there are people who have achieved great success without writing courses. It's really whatever works for you. It might also be interesting to look into the growing number of free online resources that emerging writers are using to train themselves. – AGMacdonald7 years ago
I think it would be good to also look at how creative writing degrees can impact the creative well. Personally, studying creative writing ruined my enjoyment of writing. It was all about seeking validation, being criticised for your work even if you believe you put a lot of effort in it. I seek freedom with my creative writing, so it would be good to look at how these structures impact the freedom that should come with creative writing. – Zohal996 years ago
I think it is also worth exploring the economics of creative writing programs. Some people leave with lots of debt and that can be destructive. That same price tag can keep promising writers out of programs as well. – Istickboy6 years ago
Creative writing is one of my favourite mediums of writing. The possibilities are literally endless, and I honestly see no reason as to why someone would reject it. – pamelaobeid6 years ago
Creative for me is something where you can be as creative as possible. Be it fiction or nonfiction writing or some poetry you would be writing on. The purpose of all the effort is that you express yourself. Whether you are expressing your thoughts, your emotions, or your feelings. – nathinjohn6 years ago
I think this is a clear example of educational institutions captializing on peoples hopes and dreams. Nowadays, if it exists, there is a course somewhere telling you how to do it right. – Gliese436B6 years ago
Creative writing is a wonderful thing to study and learn, and is often a way of expressing oneself that is even more spontaneous than speaking/lecturing. It helps people to really express themselves much more fully, as well. – mplo5 years ago
I think this is a great topic and could be very helpful to those who are on the fence whether to study their passion or not. I definitely would look at both sides in order to give a well rounded argument, but always come back to the bottom line that creative writing is a way to express yourself in ways that science and math cannot. – reschilke5 years ago
I study creative writing and love how it has introduced me to different styles of writing. I think it would be a great degree for someone who loves writing but doesn't know what they want to do. – evablandis5 years ago
Creative writing serves as a vassal for others to express themselves in a unique way. Being a creative writer can be challenging, but it is also a fun task. Writers can adapt their own techniques of conveying their tone of voice to a wider audience and, thus, adapting a new form of writing for others to follow. – jstibbetts5 years ago
I'd say with how education has been so fixed down to the formula that MUST be used to solve any problem, creative writing is an important factor for a student's development as it is a means of release and freedom. With creative writing, a student is able to express their thought, feelings, and ideals in any sense that they choose. In my creative writing course we would have to write a fiction or non-fiction story, have the rest of the class read it and each student had to write three notes for each reading whether it be their opinion on the story's characters, theme, or plot, or a question to the writer. By having others students look at another students work as well as giving input, it give the writer a sense of satisfaction in their work and the knowledge of where they need improvement. I think it also becomes more important when hearing thought from your peers rather than having a teacher critique your work, it gives a sense of equal standing. – Kevin Mohammed5 years ago
Studying creative writing has been helpful for me because it has introduced me to terms for literary techniques I had known previously only intuitively. I published my writing before I studied creative writing, but the writing process was difficult compared to now - I have new skills for turning ideas into prose without the torture of wondering so much how to do it. It saves reinventing the wheel in terms of understanding which technique suits your intention. – Bodhi5 years ago
Studying Creative Writing has allowed opportunities for my work to be given honest, constructive feedback in a "safe" environment. It has allocated time to read fiction and other disciplines to expand my knowledge of the written word. Unless someone is disciplined to study all of these things on their own, University programs can offer an opportunity to do all of these things. Not to mention most employers want employees to have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree (or higher). – Dena Elerian5 years ago
Streaming services are changing the way we view media. There are currently several key streaming services (Netflix, Hulu,) and some currently planning services/recently launched services (D.C., Disney). What are the benefits and downsides of streaming services, when compared with traditional cable or broadcast television? Compare the benefits and downsides of both styles of media consumption and creation.
One of the most interesting topics relating streaming services, particularly services like Netflix and Spotify, is that these companies are pre-revenue. Just last year, Netflix spent almost 10 billion dollars on content, which is even $2 billion more than they originally intended to spend. Spotify is the same way. They’re spending large amounts of money to gain access to more music, while also trying to grow their subscriber base. Neither of these companies are making money. They are playing the long game. They know in 10 years they’ll have so much content that they won’t have to spend billions of dollars each year—they will already have a ridiculous amount of entertainment to offer new subscribers. I think this is a great strategy, and it definitely benefits the consumer. We are lucky enough to live in a golden age of TV, where high quality programs are being released left and right. Netflix and Spotify are the pioneers of the streaming industry, And I can’t wait to see what each company has in store in the future – shanethewriter5 years ago
One of the benefits of streaming services is most definitely the convenience. There's nothing like the feeling of booting up the Netflix app and watching a movie/show you are invested in from the comfort of wherever you are. There's also the exclusive content that can't be seen anywhere else because other networks didn't want to invest in it. The biggest downside is that nothing lasts forever on a streaming service, not even the exclusive shows produced in house. Netflix's most viewed shows are licensed shows like Friends and The Office, but Warner Bros owns Friends and NBC owns The Office, two networks that have their own streaming services in the works and are currently trying to take those shows off Netflix. Netflix exclusive shows like Sense8 or One Day at a Time, the type of shows that aren't offered anywhere else get canceled because of the lack of viewership. Marvel shows that were Netflix exclusives like Daredevil get canceled because of the emergence of Disney+. There's also the fact that there are a lot of streaming services in the works where it'll get to the point of being just another of cable television – cbo10945 years ago
One of the benefits of streaming services is easy accessibility. Traditional cable and broadcast television could only be accessed in the one place. At home, in the lounge or the bedroom, or wherever the TV was. Streaming services can be accessed only more than one device, including more than one portable device. Should you have a lengthy break between meetings/classes but not too lengthy that you can leave the building? Whack on the next episode of the show you're binging. The biggest downside to streaming services and in particular to that easily accessible aspect is the addiction that comes along to it. There is virtually no effort in starting a new TV show or movie and that can sometimes distract some from the real work they need to do. – olivialocascio5 years ago
I think that although the convenience of streaming sites is a benefit, it can also be a disadvantage. With so much convenience humans become lazy. Instead of having the fact that there is nothing interesting on TV at a particular time to encourage us to go do something active, we always have an excuse to sit and just watch a screen. – HannahTurner5 years ago
Streaming services, even ones like Amazon Prime Video who still use advertisements, are the next step in the evolution of the television medium. It allows for more personalization of the viewing experience: namely, letting the viewers choose what they watch instead of programming it for them. More importantly, it allows for more controversial, hard-hitting content which the old corporate controlled system prevented. I just wrote a paper on Rod Serling’s legacy in television and censorship. I agree with him that artists shouldn’t be dictated by corporations. They are two different worlds. – KennethMay5 years ago
A downfall of streaming is definitely the issues of acquiring content. The best example I can I think of is Spotify’s spotty content; unfortunately you can’t get every single album or single on Spotify, especially movie albums. This promotes users to spend money on another subscription to somewhere like Apple Music or going out and purchasing the album or single physically or digitally; in some cases purchasing isn’t an option either, creating a rift for the streamer. – roraruu5 years ago
here's a helpful podcast by freakonomics about this for whoever takes this on: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/spotify/ – emaglio5 years ago