Friday, September 20, 2013

Other Than Human

I am fascinated by the idea of there being people other than human beings.  I take the notion seriously and ponder the connotations.  My fancy inspired me to realize that our humanity is the smallest yet most distinct and important aspect about out being.  It is neither our form nor our intellect that makes us human.  It is not our ability to speak, feel or even imagine that defines us.  We are a creature gifted with the power to transcend beyond the sum of our parts.  We can be for better or for worse to any agree we strive for.

I create fictional races and entities that are not human or are only partially human.  I craft them purposefully and mindfully.  They are always meant to clarify the human condition by themselves being distinct from humanity.  Typically, these non-humans or partial humans are superior to human beings in the sums of their parts.  Stronger, smarter, faster, tougher: the natural standard of individual quality.  My human hero is most often weaker, slower and not as smart as the non-humans yet is somehow beyond them.  A human hero may fail and lose but so long as he or she never loses heart, his or her effort is never in vain.  He or she proves inspiring and always finds a way.

Being human of itself is merely potential.  The unrelenting effort must be made if one is to realize his or her humanity.  Because it is easier to sit than to stand, most of us never rise to the occasion.  Because my other-than-humans are typically stronger, smarter, faster and tougher than humans, they are naturally superior.  I draw this distinction as a testimony of demonstration that indifference resigns the indifferent to being no more than the paltry sum of their parts: mortal and only human.  Such masses are doomed to terminal, anonymous mediocrity.  Their fate is insignificance.

All good art and literature are about what it is to be human.  Our fictional races and entities are only relevant if they give us insight into ourselves.  At their best, they are a fresh perspective.  I highly recommend them.


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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Truth Be Told

When something happens, it happened, whether we understand how or why or not.  Perception is not reality.  Our beliefs and understandings are only relevant in how they motivate our actual behavior.  Reality simply is what it is.  We must acknowledge it and deal with it if we are to thrive and prosper.
Fiction is not reality but the best fiction tells the truth.  Ironically, the resonating truths of a good yarn are found in the unreality of the human condition.  Seriously: what are love, hate, hope and lust but the things in our own imagination?  Our fancies and feelings are dear to us yet the sum of their quantifiable parts are rather paltry.  That said, our unreality is teeming with the power to transcend us beyond our natural limitations.  We are only animals when we are too dim and dull to imagine beyond our corporeal selves.  Our myths and legends, not the lackluster reality of unbiased history, are what define us and inspire us.  Only as dreamers are we empowered to overcome reality.
I am a writer of fictional stories.  I imagine and inscribe unreality.  I create thoughts and feelings for people who never were.  I can capture or change the thoughts and feelings of those who did or do exist.  The universe and its past, present and future are mine to do with as I please.  All is at my own discretion.  I take the responsibility of this power seriously.  I must be honest in my fiction or else I am a liar in reality.  I must be bold and sincere if I hope to inspire for the better.  I create that which does not exist as an endeavor to enrich those of us who do.  Enjoy.
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Sunday, September 1, 2013

Useless Damsels

I am a connoisseur of the obscure yet surprisingly conventional "useless henchwomen" motif.  The theme is that of comely female underlings being easily subdued.  Ideally, the victims are plentiful, armed and uniformed.  They are easily caught unawares and their feeble struggling is always in vain.  They are expendable "damsels in distress" never meant to be rescued.
What is the appeal of these useless henchwomen?  How are they more interesting helpless than formidable? Like the classical "damsel in distress" they are desirable weaklings for the taking.  Their helplessness allows them to be treated casually, creatively and sensually.  Subduing them easily asserts sexual dominance, even if unassumingly.
Why armed and uniformed?  Why antagonists?  Useless henchwomen are best when employed as guards or enforcers for the forces of evil.  The women are meant to be dangerous combatants but instead prove helpless victims.  They are clothed in the agenda of a will beyond their own.  They are mediocrity sacrificed for nefarious ends.  Because the women are loyal pawns of villainy, we can enjoy their misfortunes and celebrate their defeat.
Useless henchwomen are sexual victims meant for our unbridled pleasure.  Let us enjoy them as they rightly deserve.
        
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