The Big Picture: Magneto Was Right
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I'd like to think I'd become an X-man.
Not really because of "good will" or "pure heart".
More of a "Don't become what you hate" type thing.
Not really because of "good will" or "pure heart".
More of a "Don't become what you hate" type thing.
Yeah I'd pick Magneto's side. If I was in any movie like that I'd be the bad guy that joins the good side at the last moment. Like the fat guy in the Jackie Chan cartoons, or... the American History X guy, or... I dunno. I'd have to weigh up the arguments of both sides and then make a final judgement. In the case of X-Men I would not take the side of 'ooooh, thanks for saving our planet JERK!' guys. Just seems so illogical.
In fact I would probably attempt to hide my powers and live a normal life (whilst secretly using my powers to make a bit of cash on the side and thus avoid working in a regular job). Hell, I'm a student, I'm doing that NOW with student loans and junk.
In fact I would probably attempt to hide my powers and live a normal life (whilst secretly using my powers to make a bit of cash on the side and thus avoid working in a regular job). Hell, I'm a student, I'm doing that NOW with student loans and junk.
Here's my problem: I agreed with Magneto when he wanted to make a healthy peaceful nation in which mutants could be mutants (Genosha was the Israel of Mutants). But everytime he goes all' "I will make them pay for what they have done" Ultimatum style on the world of humanity, I have to put my foot down. Same holds true when the subject is Zod, Maxwell Lord, and Red Skull.
It is one thing to live better, or even apart (look at the Inhumans, a group that will never get a movie), it is another thing to live at the expensive of another, or worse yet, live for revenge against (and the extermination of) another group. Bigotry is bigotry is bigotry.
It is one thing to live better, or even apart (look at the Inhumans, a group that will never get a movie), it is another thing to live at the expensive of another, or worse yet, live for revenge against (and the extermination of) another group. Bigotry is bigotry is bigotry.
You definitely make some fine points here. However, I don't think bullies act as they do because they're consciously intimidated by their targets. On the conscious level, it's because they're thick-headed morons who don't know how to be honest with themselves. On the subconscious level, however, they are indeed intimidated, but not by their target specifically. They're intimidated by how their target's behavior could affect their own standing in society.
For example, when I was in high school, the idiots often bullied me by accusing me of being gay. I didn't wear tight clothing or talk with a nasal, lispy voice, and I'm certain at this point that I'm straight (five semesters at SUNY Purchase will do that). The bullies accused me of being gay not because of stereotypical indicators, but because I didn't buy into what they believed to be signs of masculinity. I didn't wear camo; I was vocally against driving pick-up trucks; I despised football; I treated girls in an manner equal to how I treated guys. In fact, when I talked to people I knew about this, they all pretty much agreed that there was no question that I was indeed masculine in my own right.
This must have scared the crap out of the redneck bullies. My behavior invalidated their code of masculinity. They went through so much effort to PROVE they were straight only to see someone who'd achieved more than they had without even trying. Their bullying was nothing more than a frightened response to an alternative (if not superior) perspective.
As for which side I'd be on if I were a mutant, I think I'd be one of the hermits who'd refuse to join either side. A lot of people are morons, yes, but at this point I don't even remember most of the people on That List From High School. Basically, I'd only ever use my mutant super power to protect myself and my family and friends, be it from William Stryker or Magneto.
For example, when I was in high school, the idiots often bullied me by accusing me of being gay. I didn't wear tight clothing or talk with a nasal, lispy voice, and I'm certain at this point that I'm straight (five semesters at SUNY Purchase will do that). The bullies accused me of being gay not because of stereotypical indicators, but because I didn't buy into what they believed to be signs of masculinity. I didn't wear camo; I was vocally against driving pick-up trucks; I despised football; I treated girls in an manner equal to how I treated guys. In fact, when I talked to people I knew about this, they all pretty much agreed that there was no question that I was indeed masculine in my own right.
This must have scared the crap out of the redneck bullies. My behavior invalidated their code of masculinity. They went through so much effort to PROVE they were straight only to see someone who'd achieved more than they had without even trying. Their bullying was nothing more than a frightened response to an alternative (if not superior) perspective.
As for which side I'd be on if I were a mutant, I think I'd be one of the hermits who'd refuse to join either side. A lot of people are morons, yes, but at this point I don't even remember most of the people on That List From High School. Basically, I'd only ever use my mutant super power to protect myself and my family and friends, be it from William Stryker or Magneto.
I hate, absolutely hate this whole time machine social caste people draw up of intelligent geeks who are oppressed by the majority of atheltic assholes. there is nothing wrong with being athetlic at all. Heck training every day is admirable as it shows both discpline and effort. And being a geek does not mean you are instantly smart, it tends to be more intelligent lads and ladies who are geeks but even then it is no gurantee.
And do you know what? some of the worse bullying happens within geek groups, people absolutly rubbishing someone for not going with group mentality. Imagine someone suggesting they prefered the newer Star wars films or that they liked the fourth Indianna Jones film. They would be completely hounded for that heresy. Geeks bullying just as much as other groups. It was among my geeky friend where some of the most intricate plans for social humiliation were carried out.
I'm not saying that as a group geeks bully more, but that this view that we are the punching bag of the world is silly.
As for the whole Magneto thing, you do know that means you could never have human frineds or mayy a nice human girl? I think it's a bit scary that people here think that siding with the Magnet controlling Racist is a good choice. He's clearly portrayed as evil ablbeit sympathetically and so too are some of the evil humans. The point is that what you are doing with Magneto is basically (and this is intended by the authors to be ironic) siding with a Nazi by an other name. Same superiority stuff, same we have been oppressed stuff.
And do you know what? some of the worse bullying happens within geek groups, people absolutly rubbishing someone for not going with group mentality. Imagine someone suggesting they prefered the newer Star wars films or that they liked the fourth Indianna Jones film. They would be completely hounded for that heresy. Geeks bullying just as much as other groups. It was among my geeky friend where some of the most intricate plans for social humiliation were carried out.
I'm not saying that as a group geeks bully more, but that this view that we are the punching bag of the world is silly.
As for the whole Magneto thing, you do know that means you could never have human frineds or mayy a nice human girl? I think it's a bit scary that people here think that siding with the Magnet controlling Racist is a good choice. He's clearly portrayed as evil ablbeit sympathetically and so too are some of the evil humans. The point is that what you are doing with Magneto is basically (and this is intended by the authors to be ironic) siding with a Nazi by an other name. Same superiority stuff, same we have been oppressed stuff.
I don't think it's about being different, but about being misunderstood or not understood at all. And obviously, that IS a kind of difference, but it's important what kind of a difference it is:
First, it has to be "over the limit". So we are all different, but we can accept some amount of difference, especially when we expect it. Someone likes football while I prefer basketball? Who would even think of the other guy being "different" and "creepy". On the other hand, if he says that he likes to kill and skin little kittens, and then eat the meat and sell the skin, then I freak out and keep my distance. Because that is outside of my scope of understanding, (so I can't understand the why of this strange hobby) and it is not included in my "set of things that people can like or do, even if i don't get it".
The other part is visible difference, that is "calculated" from the size of the difference, the importance of the part which is different and last but not least, how unpleasing it is to look at the difference.
So what do we think of when we don't understand something: "If it's weaker then me, then I should dispose of it, or show myself that i am superior, or if it's stronger than me, than gather around with like-minden people and talk about how wierd and whatever it is, while staying as far from it as possible." "It" can be a person or something else.
On the other hand, humans have an extremely powerful mind and can process stuff like difference when they actually want to. An open mind is a tad more dangerous usually than a closed one, but at least you won't automatically beleive everyone "strange" to be someone to stay away from.
And while I kinda liked magneto, I'd still probably go for the other side. I was bullied plenty and sometimes became a bully myself during school. I'm still kinda "suffering" from being different than your avarage youth, but in the end someone has to be the more intelligent, wise and whatever, and it would kinda suck if I, the super evolved guy, turned out to be inferior in terms of intelligence and wisdom. For we all know what power without wisdom equals to...
First, it has to be "over the limit". So we are all different, but we can accept some amount of difference, especially when we expect it. Someone likes football while I prefer basketball? Who would even think of the other guy being "different" and "creepy". On the other hand, if he says that he likes to kill and skin little kittens, and then eat the meat and sell the skin, then I freak out and keep my distance. Because that is outside of my scope of understanding, (so I can't understand the why of this strange hobby) and it is not included in my "set of things that people can like or do, even if i don't get it".
The other part is visible difference, that is "calculated" from the size of the difference, the importance of the part which is different and last but not least, how unpleasing it is to look at the difference.
So what do we think of when we don't understand something: "If it's weaker then me, then I should dispose of it, or show myself that i am superior, or if it's stronger than me, than gather around with like-minden people and talk about how wierd and whatever it is, while staying as far from it as possible." "It" can be a person or something else.
On the other hand, humans have an extremely powerful mind and can process stuff like difference when they actually want to. An open mind is a tad more dangerous usually than a closed one, but at least you won't automatically beleive everyone "strange" to be someone to stay away from.
And while I kinda liked magneto, I'd still probably go for the other side. I was bullied plenty and sometimes became a bully myself during school. I'm still kinda "suffering" from being different than your avarage youth, but in the end someone has to be the more intelligent, wise and whatever, and it would kinda suck if I, the super evolved guy, turned out to be inferior in terms of intelligence and wisdom. For we all know what power without wisdom equals to...
I am curious as to how you didn't get that the video was hypothetical in nature. He was explaining what some bullied people wish the reason was. It is a comforting reason that helps you cope with such things. Now you have pretty much hit the nail on the head as to the more, for lack of a better word, realistic reason. But I have found myself with the lingering thought that he mentioned here when I was bullied in my middle/high school days. That said, was it a little sad, in retrospective, to think like that from time to time? yes. But it was comforting for a person like me to do so. However, does that mean I deserved it for being to weak to defend myself against several people? I would hope not. Also, if you said such things to my face, I would probably try to beat your face in. Now I say that because you should never try to dismiss someone's pain or past like that. Even if you make reference to being bullied in school that does not mean you know what it was like to be in my shoes or MovieBob's or anyone else's that has been bullied. Anyway, just a tip for you... I guess.MichaelMaverick said:
In fact I would probably attempt to hide my powers and live a normal life (whilst secretly using my powers to make a bit of cash on the side and thus avoid working in a regular job). Hell, I'm a student, I'm doing that NOW with student loans and junk.[/quote]
yeah you do!
Another thing that troubles me is that Bob is happier to be the one holding the whip than to abolish whips.
You don't think bullying is wrong at all Bob, you'd just rather be the bully. (quote)
the whips thing was way cool, but I dont think Bob wants to harm innocent people, just those who do wrong, I would call that more vigilante than bully
yeah you do!
Another thing that troubles me is that Bob is happier to be the one holding the whip than to abolish whips.
You don't think bullying is wrong at all Bob, you'd just rather be the bully. (quote)
the whips thing was way cool, but I dont think Bob wants to harm innocent people, just those who do wrong, I would call that more vigilante than bully
I would join the good side.
I still remember being bullied back in junior high. But as soon as I got to high school, things got better for me as I was bullied less and then it stopped as I got older. Even though I kinda deserved it for the reason why, I didn't deserve to be pushed to the limit where I was outnumbered and couldn't do anything about it. But to this day, it was only words and words are less painful and physical bullying.
I still remember being bullied back in junior high. But as soon as I got to high school, things got better for me as I was bullied less and then it stopped as I got older. Even though I kinda deserved it for the reason why, I didn't deserve to be pushed to the limit where I was outnumbered and couldn't do anything about it. But to this day, it was only words and words are less painful and physical bullying.
If you'd have asked me 10-15 years ago, I'd have said Magneto in a heartbeat.
But after a decade of soul-searching, and coming to terms with my own past asshole-ish behaviour, I have to conclude that being a geek does not automatically grant you some kind of superior moral compass. And the persecuted becoming the persecutors is a sadly common pattern that's cut a long, bloody swath through human history. These days, I'd rather live and let live whenever possible.
But after a decade of soul-searching, and coming to terms with my own past asshole-ish behaviour, I have to conclude that being a geek does not automatically grant you some kind of superior moral compass. And the persecuted becoming the persecutors is a sadly common pattern that's cut a long, bloody swath through human history. These days, I'd rather live and let live whenever possible.
Bill Gates wasn't demonized for making money from his work. He was demonized for doing so with often sub-par products, illegal methods, highly deceptive marketing, and(oh yeah) BULLYING. In fact, under the wing of Gates, computer distributors would be outright threatened with no Windows licenses if they ever dared produce a computer running a competing product(outright killing BeOS, OS/2 Warp, and many proto-desktop linuxes before they could start). In fact, the Gates-run Microsoft often set back the adoption of new and interesting technologies because before people got wise to the fact that MS spouted liquid bullshit from every orifice people would avoid buying new products because MS promised they would be producing a superior version of the product. He's certainly trying to make up for lost time now, but it's not as though he didn't make all that money he uses to help the poor by trampling over the competition in insanely immoral ways(when not just outright illegal).
Seriously, guy buys a few malaria vaccines and everyone forgets that he basically was a few flying monkeys short of a wicked witch back in the day. Hell, even the way he's praised is often wildly inaccurate, since he wasn't really a big computer nerd, he was a big business nerd. He didn't write DOS, he didn't come up with any of the core concepts of Windows, he didn't design anything especially groundbreaking whatsoever. He did, however, know how to sell ice to Eskimos, and knew that by leveraging the position of basically controlling the way all people interfaced with computers he could crush all competition with very little effort. So the people who regard him as some sort of phenomenal nerd icon would be equally wrong if they heaped such praise on, say, Bobby Kotick.
And if you're desperate for a sports star who has become vilified(rightly or otherwise), what about OJ Simpson or Kobe Bryant? Certainly still wearing a few battle scars from their personal lives.
Seriously, guy buys a few malaria vaccines and everyone forgets that he basically was a few flying monkeys short of a wicked witch back in the day. Hell, even the way he's praised is often wildly inaccurate, since he wasn't really a big computer nerd, he was a big business nerd. He didn't write DOS, he didn't come up with any of the core concepts of Windows, he didn't design anything especially groundbreaking whatsoever. He did, however, know how to sell ice to Eskimos, and knew that by leveraging the position of basically controlling the way all people interfaced with computers he could crush all competition with very little effort. So the people who regard him as some sort of phenomenal nerd icon would be equally wrong if they heaped such praise on, say, Bobby Kotick.
And if you're desperate for a sports star who has become vilified(rightly or otherwise), what about OJ Simpson or Kobe Bryant? Certainly still wearing a few battle scars from their personal lives.
I was only bullied until my junior year because all of the bullies dropped out 
Anyway, I'd make them bastards pay for making grades 5-10 a living hell. Only hope I get some cool superpower like maybe a telekinesis ability that I can use like Jedi force. That'd be bad ass.
Anyway, I'd make them bastards pay for making grades 5-10 a living hell. Only hope I get some cool superpower like maybe a telekinesis ability that I can use like Jedi force. That'd be bad ass.
I know straight away what side I would choose, the Magneto side, I would gladly get my revenge on all those dicks that tormented me, and why was I beaten and tormented? Because I worked hard and paid attention in my lessons, those guys would definately pay for their behaviour.