Harry Potter, Star Wars and the Violent Fantasies of Crushed Souls

A radical theory about the origins, power and popularity of Harry Potter versus Star Wars versus Lord of the Rings. From Freedomain Radio - The Largest And Most Popular Philosophy Show On The Web - Http://www.freedomainradio.com

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Star Wars
• Harry Potter
• Darth
• Jedi
• Vader
• Lightsaber
• Force
• Force (Star Wars)
• Guild
• Sith
• Skywalker
• Luke
• Yoda
• Darth Vader

[15hmael]

Let me just say,by the way, that although I have been critical of some of your views, I find much of what you have to say enlightening, rational, and always compassionate.Your daughter is a very fortunate person.

[stefbot]

@15hmael Thank you, and if it's any consolation, I'm critical of all of my views! :)

[PourLaLiberte1]

It's sad to me that when Stef says "It's possible that you like fantasy stories for these reasons.. *explains theory*", all some people hear is "You are bad for liking fantasy stories". Tells all we need to know about their childhood. :-(

[andrewh817]

@stefbot I've noticed that ever since getting into therapy these fantasy stories have lost much of their appeal to me - Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc. It's unfortunate on the one hand because I used to love those stories, but I think that was largely because I could relate to the protagonists' sense of powerlessness in the beginning of the stories.

[wisdomtrek]

Brilliant interpretation! 

[magister343]

@MutantBamHammer There are several female Jedi in the prequel movies, although I'm not sure any of them even speak a single word. Most of them are seen only in the big battle at the end of Episode II, or being killed by Clones at the end of Episode III.

The prequels make it quite explicit that the Old Republic's Jedi Order required celibacy.

The non-canonical extended universe has Luke choosing to abolish the rule in the New Jedi Order, get married, and train his kids as Jedi

[MutantBamHammer]

Wait a second...its implied that jedis sign up for celibacy...the movies never portray a female jedi...

[TwinMoons2121]

Damn. My last comment was too long. I'd just like to point to lord of he rings as an example of how the levithian is overcome not by violent fantasy but by rennunciation of violence in the destruction of the ring of power. Fantasy is about the little guy beating the monster against odds. It doesn't encourage violence.

[TwinMoons2121]

I agree with a lot of what you said but can't help thinking you generalise. I love these types of things not for the violence but for the overcoming levithian aspect. In skyrim I use illusion magic and kill almost no one. In star trek I prefer the scene from the house of quark where he stands for execution in honest pacivity over any violent glory.

You can't lump stories like this together too much. Perhaps it is a symptom of crushed self esteem but I think it is wrong to declare them in healt

[TwinMoons2121]

Sometimes I think libertarians are a little too faithful to logic. It seems natural that we would see fantasy in some concrete way.

[MyOnlyFarph]

The basic premise that unhappiness and depression lead to a dependance on fiction, fantasy and unreality is quite profound. I feel from personal experience a "need" to delve into fiction whenever I am utterly depressed. Reality is currently a very miserable place for many people. I don't feel any of the stories mentioned are instrinsically bad, but the dependancy on such as a coping mechanism is truly a sad state.