Cynicism or Realism?

Thursday afternoon, 4 pm. Still too early to hear from the consulate today, so in the meantime ...

Earlier today, knowing of my enthusiasm for Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, my friend Andi sent me a link to a short video from a 1977 Charles Schulz documentary. I've actually seen the full documentary, but that was still very kind. In a subsequent Messenger chat with her, I commented on how simple a man Schulz was, and how deceptively simple so many of his best strips were. In particular, I mentioned this one:

Whatever Art is, this is it

Here's the link, if the text is too small in the image.

The lesson, about empathy, seems like it's from a foregone age.

I'm a regular reader of the MGoBlog website, which is both extremely informative about Michigan sports, and, unfortunately, seems to be written — both by its creators in the official posts and the hundreds of private individuals who regularly comment on its message boards — by people all to eager to gloat, mock, and insult other teams, and their fans. If empathy exists — and I'm sure those writers would insist they are fully empathetic people — it would appear in the inevitable insistence by those people that they are only joking around and being playful, and participating in a shared traditional and ceremony of "good-natured ribbing" with their counterparts from other programs.

This isn't true, though, as their "celebrations" of wins all too often take the form of overt gloating and mocking the disappointment of others, as if it's impossible to be both simultaneously happy and sympathetic. 

Going into the 2021 game against Ohio State, the Michigan football team had lost eight games in a row against their arch-rival, and 15 out of the last 16. What was a rivalry had turned into domination, and it was as un-fun as anything sports-related could be. Still, since then, and in what continues to surprise all of us, Michigan has won four in a row over the Buckeyes — a streak as satisfying, enjoyable, and wonderful as I could ever have imagined. Still, I'm able to recognize that for a 7- or 8-year old Buckeyes fan in Columbus, who can't ever remember seeing his team beat Michigan, this must be terrible, and he must wonder why his team can't ever win one.

And all I can say is, "I know, and don't worry — this'll change soon."

The tone on that website, however, is pure glee, and pure mockery ... along with repeated slurs about how ignorant and mean the Ohio State coach is and fans are, apparently justifying our own gloating. And these are my fellow-Michigan fans. I grew up thinking we were all nice people!

The funny thing is, when Jim Harbaugh actually commented at one point a few years ago about the hysteria surrounding the game, and the insane amounts of emotion and pressure put on these teams of college kids for what is, ultimately, just a game: a) he was mocked by the press; and b) commenters on the MGoBlog website agreed that, yes, Ohio State fans should listen and learn. The idea that we should at least reflect on our own behavior seems to have eluded everyone.

It's very difficult, right now, not to extrapolate to our political — and geopolitical — situation, as well as to much of popular culture, including pop music and sports. Bullies and bullying dominate, and although I grew up thinking we were all supposed to at least pretend at wanting to understand the wishes and needs of other people, the idea of empathy now seems akin to weakness. It's very depressing.

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One last thing, similarly sad. When I was wandering around the Nürnberg Game & Toy Festival a few weeks ago, I came across a stand with a whole lot of The Little Prince products. Dolls. Games. Toys.

In my naiveté I had assumed that was one book and character we could avoid profiting on. But the author's heirs have, apparently, decided that they would rather have the money, thank you very much. 

The Little Prince Game

Man, the 70s are getting farther and farther away, aren't they? Indeed, pop culture has decided the 70s were a time of discos and orgies, shallow and hedonistic. But when I was growing up we hadn't yet given up on hope, and kindness, and simple pleasures. Childhood always seems simple, of course, and perhaps kids today grow up with similar beliefs.

Hard to imagine, though. I wonder what pop culture icon carrying messages of love, kindness, compassion, and hope will be turned into overwhelming marketing opportunities next? The Red Balloon board game? Carole-King-branded muumuus? An Anne Frank lego set?