A few years ago, I remember everyone started talking about Avengers Endgame. I knew that this was some superhero series with all the known superheroes like Spiderman, Ironman, and Captain America. Other than that, I had no idea what it was. I remember a kid asking me, "I … [Read more...]
Secret Identities in Everyday Life
You’ve probably heard the advice to “be true to yourself,” but have you ever wondered what that means? Have you ever felt like you were playing a role rather than “being yourself”? Growing up, I often heard that it was a time to “find myself,” but I wasn’t always sure how to go … [Read more...]
Are Superheroes Good for Democracy?
Here’s the scene: A man dressed in dark clothes is running down a street. He’s clutching a purse. Someone screams that he’s a thief, and a shadow swoops by overhead. The man looks up without slowing down, but sees nothing. But, there, suddenly, in front of him: Batman. You … [Read more...]
Superheroes and Greek Myths
Superheroes, for the most part, are the epitome of all that is modern, cutting-edge, and innovative. Just think Tony Stark’s ridiculous hologram technology in Marvel’s The Avengers movies or Batman’s ability to use other peoples’ cell-phones to create “bat vision,” a techy twist … [Read more...]
Classic Reconsidered: The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Have you ever noticed how lots of adventure stories seem similar? You may think that's because authors keep stealing from each other, and maybe that's true. But legendary historian of mythology Joseph Campbell argued in his 1949 classic The Hero with a Thousand Faces that there's … [Read more...]