The ability the web and tools such as Final Cut has given for everyone to publish (writing, movies, music) is astonishing. Entertainment and the associated industry is certainly changing and in a good way … “Hammer” references and all.

“Life has a way of throwing events in your path,” shares Michael Murray, “that provide an opportunity to grow or to fossilize.” That said, let’s role-play a bit….

The strict father would say, we need to work to eliminate this kind of content from online, or at worst, find a way to have it clearly marked off with virtual warning buoys. And, we need to keep our children off the web so that they won’t encounter inappropriate content. After all, look at the actors playing the parts. They are the perfect examples of people who have failed in their careers because of the choices they made in life. They are the kind of people that would ban together out of desperation. A real actor wouldn’t be caught doing this kind of work. Captain Hammer is clearly a false hero, in for his own self-aggrandizement. These aren’t the kinds of virtues we believe in.

The nurturing parent would say, “While this is funny and a great example of creativity, I’m concerned about the content. Why do you think Captain Hammer feels comfortable treating women this way? And, why does the female character–who by the way, doesn’t seem to have a name…what does THAT mean, do you think?–feel so attracted to Captain Hammer? Does Captain Hammer remind you of anyone you might encounter at school (hint: jocks)? What about Dr. Horrible? How is he a sympathetic character (effeminate geek) and do you think he’ll help the female discover her true self (her name) and then win her love?

There’s a lot more to explore in conversation for this show. That’s what makes it engaging and fun. For example, the strict father, if he must identify with any character, it is Captain Hammer because he is authoritarian. Yet, to identify with him means he’s accepting the demeaning way in which Captain Hammer perceives women (is his behavior, to use a word Dr. Joyce Valenza taught me today over at Bit by Bit podcast 70, misogynistic?)?

What I find humorous is that I’m drawn to Dr. Horrible as the anti-hero. Only in helping the girl escape the clutches of the “hero” will Dr. Horrible achieve his true aim. But this is funny because we’re tempted to identify with Captain Ho-hum.

In other words, simply a well-constructed tale that is bound to yield hours of conversation…depending on your frame.

Miguel Guhlin
Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net
http://mguhlin.net

Nurturing parent: We need to talk about this.

I added an introductory preface to this entry after watching Act 2. Dumb on my part to post this after just watching Act 1. Very dumb. But this does provide an opportunity to learn… These issues are important and only going to grow in importance in the months and years ahead.

Thanks for the question… Would you agree with my responses?

Fascinating perspective. What would be the response of the strict father to this kind of stuff? Nurturing parent?

8->

There was a good NPR story on this program this afternoon too. Thanks for the information!

Doug