Post by xenobuzz on Jun 4, 2010 21:55:35 GMT -5
Having been bitten to the marrow by the lightsaber bug, I've begun to ponder the reason for my burgeoning infatuation. Why do I love lightsabers, and in particular the Force FX version, so much?
I think that there are several reasons:
1. Lightsabers are, as a fantasy/sci-fi idea, *uckin' awesome.
2. The first time that I activated the power switch on my first Force FX lightsaber a few months ago, I instantly time traveled back to when I was nine years old. The s*it-eating grin on my face would have put the Cheshire Cat to shame. Seeing the blade ignite from the hilt and hearing that all-too-familiar sound was, and still is, AWESOME. No other product from any other movie license has had a more complete and totally joyous effect of transporting me into its fantasy world.
3. There is a romance to bladed weapons. We all know Obi-wan's description from ANH, and it is as true today as it was then. A lightsaber is an intimate weapon in many ways, the most important being that you must confront your opponent in person. You don't issue an order or press a button to launch a missile. You throw down and duel the bad guy right in front of you. It's personal.
4. It takes great skill to kill with a blade. As Leon from "The Professional" says; "The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn. "
5. The universal and reptilian brain appeal of being able to solve any problem through a direct and unrelenting contest of skill, knowledge and experience. No words. No brain-numbing legislative BS. It's just the question of who will be left standing at the end.
Fantasy will always play a key role in our society until most forms of suffering and want have fallen away. We will always be seduced by the allure of solving our problems with direct physical confrontation until that need is no longer present.
Whoa. That got heavy!
Y'all dig what I'm sayin'?
Dave
I think that there are several reasons:
1. Lightsabers are, as a fantasy/sci-fi idea, *uckin' awesome.
2. The first time that I activated the power switch on my first Force FX lightsaber a few months ago, I instantly time traveled back to when I was nine years old. The s*it-eating grin on my face would have put the Cheshire Cat to shame. Seeing the blade ignite from the hilt and hearing that all-too-familiar sound was, and still is, AWESOME. No other product from any other movie license has had a more complete and totally joyous effect of transporting me into its fantasy world.
3. There is a romance to bladed weapons. We all know Obi-wan's description from ANH, and it is as true today as it was then. A lightsaber is an intimate weapon in many ways, the most important being that you must confront your opponent in person. You don't issue an order or press a button to launch a missile. You throw down and duel the bad guy right in front of you. It's personal.
4. It takes great skill to kill with a blade. As Leon from "The Professional" says; "The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn. "
5. The universal and reptilian brain appeal of being able to solve any problem through a direct and unrelenting contest of skill, knowledge and experience. No words. No brain-numbing legislative BS. It's just the question of who will be left standing at the end.
Fantasy will always play a key role in our society until most forms of suffering and want have fallen away. We will always be seduced by the allure of solving our problems with direct physical confrontation until that need is no longer present.
Whoa. That got heavy!
Y'all dig what I'm sayin'?
Dave
