SMAMS BLOG

“It has become appallingly clear that our technology has surpassed our humanity.” Albert Einstein

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As you know, I’m quite keen on comic books. Especially the ones about superheroes. I find the whole mythology surrounding superheroes fascinating.

Take my favorite superhero, Superman. Not a great comic book. Not particularly well-drawn. But the mythology… The mythology is not only great, it’s unique.

Now, a staple of the superhero mythology is, there’s the superhero and there’s the alter ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker. When that character wakes up in the morning, he’s Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spider-Man. And it is in that characteristic Superman stands alone.

Superman didn’t become Superman. Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he’s Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent. His outfit with the big red “S” – that’s the blanket he was wrapped in as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes. What Kent wears – the glasses, the business suit – that’s the costume. That’s the costume Superman wears to blend in with us.

Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent? He’s weak… He’s unsure of himself… He’s a coward.

Clark Kent is Superman’s critique on the whole human race.

” Bill (KillBill 2)

“Yes I love it ! The sea is everything, It covers seventh-tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an Immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence. It is nothing but love and emotion; it is the ‘Living Infinite,’ as one of your poets has said. In fact, Professor, nature manifests herself in it by her three kingdoms, mineral, vegetable, and animal. The sea is the vast reservoir of Nature. The globe began with sea, so to speck; and who knows if it will not end with it? In it is supreme tranquillity. The sea does not belong to deposits. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces, and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet below is level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears. Ah! sir, live—live in the bosom if the waters! There only is independence ! There I recognize no masters ! There I am free !” Captain Nemo (20,000 leagues under the sea by Jules Verne)

“I am not what you call a civilized man! I have done with society entirely, for reasons which I alone have the right of appreciating. I do not therefore Obey its laws, and I desire you never to allude to them before me again.” Captain Nemo (20,000 leagues under the sea by Jules Verne)