Superheroes in Pop Culture

The Super Hero has become an iconic figure in today's culture, all around the world. A symbol and hope and safety. Fighting crime and getting rid of the villains.

Superheroes in today's culture started during the Second World War in 1940, when two men named Siegel and Shuster created the man of steel, Superman and had him end the war in a short, two page spread. The head of Nazi propaganda claimed Superman to be Jewish and mocked one of the creators. "Suddenly truth, justice and the American way just didn’t seem American enough." mysteriomaximus. (2012). Developing on this, another writer named Joe Simon decided that America needed another hero. One who would be a role model and able to help 'rally the troops'.  Simon and an artist named Jack Kirby devised 'Captain America.' A brand new, incredibly patriotic idol.

Steve Epting, 2010

Since the invention of Superman and Captain America, many other superheroes have been created and have had comics written about them. The two main comic book companies, DC and Marvel have been consistently telling their stories since the beginning of the Super Hero. Their characters, such as Batman, Ironman, The Hulk, Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Thor and The Green Lantern are now household names. There are a lot of Anime superheroes that have derived from Japan and China, for example, Sailor Moon.

Although there are these superheroes with supernatural talents and special skills, I believe that these are not the only superheroes in society. Everyone has someone they look up to and idolise; someone they depend on and trust. For some of my friends, it would be their parents, for others, their siblings; often it is celebrities and charitable people who have been featured in the media.

I feel that we definitely have "real life" superheroes. Those people who risk their lives to save others such as firemen or policemen; soldiers who are fighting for their countries; paramedics, nurses, doctors and surgeons. You don't have to have super powers to be a hero.

Fireman and Fire

I think that we need superheroes in our culture and society. There is so much war and hatred in this world that we need someone to look up to; to have hope in; we need someone we can think of when times get hard, where we can think, for example 'What would Superman/Doctor Who/my dad do?'

mysteriomaximus. (2012). Pop Culture Propaganda – Captain American History!. Available: http://nerdshavenothingbettertodo.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/pop-culture-propaganda-captain-american-history-101/. Last accessed 10th Jan 2013.

Buddhism

One particular culture that I have always been interested in is Buddhism. Buddhism is not a religion; it doesn't have a supernatural deity; it isn't centered on a relationship between humans and God. Most Buddhist's believe Buddhism to be a way of life. 

As a culture, Buddhism has been around for over 2500 years. It was founded by a man named Siddhartha Gautama who has been estimated to have born around 566 BC. Siddhartha Gautama was born as the Prince of the Sakya tribe in Nepal. He lived a life of pleasure and comfort until the age of 29, when he decided to give up his life of riches and find out why the suffering around him was happening. After six years of wandering, he sat beneath a 'bodhi tree' and entered a state of meditation. During this meditation and including his six years of wandering, he had reached 'spiritual enlightenment' and became 'Buddha'. He then spent 45 years traveling around India, teaching people about the path to Enlightenment.

Buddha beneath the Bodhi Tree

The Four Noble truths are the center of Buddha's teachings. These are: 

1. The truth of suffering
2. The truth of the origin of suffering
3. The truth of the cessation of suffering. 
4. The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering.

Buddha believed by understanding these truths in full, "is the prescription, the way to achieve a release from suffering." BBC. (2009). 


Buddhists do not believe in harming others or killing. They believe in peace and acting out of love and compassion to everybody, even if they are your worst enemy. By doing so, you will be spreading around good Karma. In order to become a more compassionate and loving person, Buddha believed that meditation was vital. Meditation is a key practice within the Buddhist faith as it is a way to further understand yourself and others. It helps to clear the mind; see the world with new and different perspectives and every time you meditate, you get closer to spiritual enlightenment. Buddhism teaches that nothing is fixed. Nothing is permanent and that change is always possible.



BBC. (2009). The Four Noble Truths. Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/beliefs/fournobletruths_1.shtml. Last accessed 10th Jan 2013.

Marriage in different cultures

Marriage is a sacred ritual that most cultures around the world take part in. Wedding ceremonies and traditions differ from culture to culture and religion to religion.

Christian's believe that weddings are a gift from God and that they shouldn't be taken for granted. In a Christian wedding ceremony, it is very much linked to God and that God is at the heart of the relationship. The Church of England believes that before entering a Christian marriage and getting married in a church, at least one person should have been baptized and at least one person should have been going to said church for the minimum of six months.

For people who study the Buddhist faith, marriage is a fairly simple and traditional affair that does not involve religion, however it does involve spirituality. Buddhist's believe that before a couple is to wed, their horoscopes must match and that the groom should ask the Lama (priest) when would be a special day for him to propose. The date of the marriage is decided by an astrologer. The ceremony is done either in a place of worship or the Bride's home in front of a shrine of Buddha. Candles and incense are lit and often, the wedding is conducted by a member of the family. 'In Buddhism, marriage is regarded as entirely a personal, individual concern and not as a religious duty.'  Thera, V. (2007).

Atheist weddings are non-religious affairs. Atheist weddings are based entirely on the couple involved in the relationship; it doesn't involve any supernatural beings or deities. Having an atheist wedding offers more personality for the marriage ceremony as you are able to create your own vows, own music, own rituals or readings.

If you are in a Rastafari community, there is no structured wedding ceremony. They consider a man and woman (unless related) who are living together to already be man and wife. If, there is a ceremony of sorts, it is considered a social affair and not a religious one.

Although not all cultures involve religion in their marriages, love is still at the center of every marriage ceremony and relationship. 

To me, marriage is an important and special union of two people who are in love with each other; it is a sign of true devotion and faithfulness that I believe shouldn't be entered into lightly.


Thera, V. (2007). Buddhist Views on Marriage . Available: http://www.budsas.org/ebud/whatbudbeliev/237.htm. Last accessed 10th Jan 2013.

Environment

There are many different Cultures around the world and each culture treats the Earth differently.

Native Americans took from the Earth, but they also gave back to the Earth. This was the core of their beliefs and morals. They took great care of the environment, seeing that as "we draw our lives from this planet—it is foolish not to take care of it, just as it is foolish not to take care of our own body"  The Native Americans believed that "every tree and stone was alive, and Mother Earth was a living entity in need of respect and protection" They believed that it should never be "abused or misused." Douglas, K. (2003).

If we compare this view on the environment with most Western cultures, we can clearly see that this is not the case for us. To quote my partner, "Our Governments just say 'see ya later green stuff, lets whack some flats in there'" Ward, B (2013) As developing countries, we are seeing more and more woods and forests being destroyed and more houses, flats, office blocks being constructed. More people now own cars than ever before and the Earth's carbon footprint is increasing.
 
We are however, slowly becoming more aware of the Earth and what we're doing to it. Better quality electric cars are being produced; almost every house has at least one recycling box; energy firms are researching ways of making their energy more 'earth friendly' and people are being encouraged to use public transport instead of cars. Organisations such as The Eden Project are helping to spread awareness about what we are doing to our World and how we can change it. 

The Eden Project, Cornwall

I believe that it may be too late for us to save the Earth completely. I find it upsetting that rainforests and ocean's are being polluted and torn down simply to make new houses and provide food for large catering chains. If more people were to take what the Native American's believed and put it into practice, the Earth would survive a lot longer and I also believe that we as humans would be healthier as well.


Douglas, K. (2003). American Indian Philosophy . Available: http://melungeons.com/articles/american.htm. Last accessed 10th January 2013.

Ward, B (2013)  Discussion on environmental issues. [discussion] (Personal communication, 9th January 2013).

Drugs

Talking about and using drugs is a very taboo subject in today's society. However many people do use recreational drugs and it has become an increasingly normal thing for youth culture to take part in. The average age for someone to try a recreational drug is in between 16 - 18.

As well as being popular in today's youth culture, drugs have been used for hundreds of years in lots of different cultures around the world. Native Americans introduced tobacco to the Western world by presenting it to Christopher Columbus. Magic mushrooms have been used by people in the Netherlands and in other tribes around the world as a ritualistic drug, helping to invoke 'visionary states and bring about mental and physical healing.' Fenderson, E. (2012).  Native Americans are also known for their use of Cannabis.  'Native American use of cannabis was provided when archaeologist Bill Fitzgerald discovered five hundred year old pipes in Morriston, Ontario.' Bennett, C. (1995)  These have since been discovered to have had traces of hemp and tobacco inside them. In Native American culture, cannabis was used during their visionary rituals.


In the past year, compared to other, harder drugs, cannabis has been estimated to be the most frequently used by people in the 16 - 59 age range.

Sedghi, A. (2012)

There are many different views on drug use. Some people are entirely against it; some people are all for them. In my opinion, it is up to the person who takes them. If they know what they are doing and fully understand and possible consequences that may arise. I believe that there are a section of people who can't take drugs, including alcohol, recreational. A smattering of people around the world will and do have addictive personalities. These personalities crash horridly with cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and even food or exercise. Things that are already potentially addictive, become 100% more addictive to this type of person. They are unable to control their cravings and often become solely independent on that one thing.

For many people, it can destroy their lives, it can turn them into criminals and segregate them from society. Russell Brand is a main advocate for helping people with addictions. Especially when they hit rock bottom. In this brief video clip, he is explaining to MPs how he believes that those with addictions, who have turned into criminals should be helped instead, or as well as punished.

 

 Russell Brand on Sky News - Brand, R. (2012) 

I wholeheartedly agree with the points he is making. Of course, criminal actions should be dealt with legally however you cannot entirely blame the person for doing it. Lots of people try recreational drugs, and lots of addicts do not know they have an addictive personality before it is too late and they are in a downwards spiral. I feel that in today's culture, many people do do drugs and that is it something people need to treat carefully. Instead of completely shunning people's choices, it is going to happen anyway. People who are able to do drugs for fun, at parties or otherwise need to know all of the facts and for that to be possible, today's culture needs to become more open minded and teach and offer help to those who want it. If drug addiction was dealt with as an illness and that today's society looked at is with compassion, there would be less drug related injuries, offenses and people would be more willing to step forwards and get help for what they are going through.

Bennett, C. (1995). Visions of a Sacred Tree. Available: http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/1050.html. Last accessed 9th Jan 2013.

Brand, R. (2012). Russell Brand Tells MPs Drug Addiction Should Be Treated As Illness . Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BNNMpkM8AE. Last accessed 9th Jan 2013.

Fenderson, E. (2012). Eight Bizarre Drugs and the Cultures That Use Them. Available: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/12-05/eight-bizarre-drugs-and-the-cultures-that-use-them.html. Last accessed 9th Jan 2013.

Sedghi, A. (2012). Most Popular Drug. Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/sep/28/drug-use-age-popular-cannabis. Last accessed 9th Jan 2013.

Fantasy and Escapism

In today's society and culture, many people are incredibly busy. They work, cook and run around after children. They don't stop until the evening where they sit down in front of the television and try to relax. Unfortunately, however if they come across the news, it is usually full of sadness, shock, death, terror and war. Fantasy books, television programmes and films are used as an excellent way to 'escape' from this life, for just a little bit.

Cult television shows such as Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones and Buffy or books such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and even the classics take people to another time. They are able so completely zone out and focus entirely on that one thing, in that one place and time. By escaping into these fictional worlds; it helps to take away the concerns and worries of daily life.

Arthur Darvill, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan in Doctor Who 

This video on the URL below is a prime example of how involved and focused a child can get if they are watching their favourite programme. They are completely ignoring the abnormal behaviour that is right in front of them. 

http://doubleghost.tumblr.com/post/39827049343/this-is-me-dancing-my-heart-out-while-my-kids


For myself, I enjoy escaping from the world and essentially into other people's imaginations. I become emotionally involved with the characters, story lines and relationships that are portrayed in these miniature worlds. Whether it be in literature where you can completely immerse yourself in the feelings of the characters, or picture the environments they live in, or the TV shows where they take you to different worlds and times and actually show you what they look like. It is a way to relax and forget about everything, even if just for an hour or so. To come back to real life with a fresh mind.