Incredibles

[weaktwos]

imlac brought it to my attention that some folks are saying that the Incredibles is rife with Ayn Rand references. A quick google search brought up some articles, including this one.

Overall, I do not agree with this assessment. Yes, the Supers are like "Atlases". But they sure as hell aren't John Galts. First, the government drove the exile of the supers, whereas, in the book, the supers chose to create their own big rock candy mountain and live in their super elite commune, leaving the mundane world to stew in their own whiney, no-talent juices. In the Incredibles, the heroes still have a love/desire/need to save humanity.

As for the notion of incompetence with regard to Syndrome, I don't think that lives up to Ayn Rand's concept of the less talented masses. He's a sick puppy; a villain. Despite him not winning in the end, he was still fairly talented. No, his inventions weren't fullproof, but despite the fact that he was a villain and a jerk, he'd hold his own among the Atlases in Ayn's book. He is a pretty creative inventor, despite his fanboy syndrome gone wrong. In fact, Incrediboy/Syndrome is a clear example how not all "Atlases" are a benefit to society via achieving their own exceptional form of individuality.

In the end, the Supers don't abandon the mediocre humanity. They live among them, and do find some contentment in the non-super world. The Incredibles does not harbor such a blatant disdain for people not gifted with superior skills.

Comments

[miracleman.livejournal.com]

What a crap assessment. (The article, not you.)

"neo-Objectivism" my ass. Lookit...as the article itself points out, the superheroes in "The Incredibles" view the service of humanity as an end unto itself, not as a "oh, yeah, and as a result of rational self-interest, I guess I save lives and uphold the common good."

The problem people seem to have is the movie's fairly explicit statement that the holding back of peoples' gifts so that they "blend in" and don't make anyone feel bad about NOT being gifted is detrimental to society. Essentially, the movie says "See? If they'd stayed at home like good little boys and girls, the Omnidroid would've destroyed you all."

But people don't like the flip side of the superhero argument, where those with gifts are above or better or superior to "regular everyday folk". Which is something I don't get at all.

Mr. Incredible is a dunderhead, let's face some facts. He's a good guy, he's got a heart of gold and the man can obviously plan a mission...but in regular every day life he's something of a boob.

Dash, for all his speed, isn't exactly showing himself to be a stellar student. He's also cocky, arrogant and has a tendency to not think things through.

Violet lacks confidence, and lives in fear of her own shadow (at least at the beginning of the movie).

And Elastigirl sometimes seems to lack empathy or compassion.

These are flawed beings, flawed in the ways that really matter. They are flawed emotionally, psychologically, socially...just like everybody else.

They're not superior, in other words...they're just different.

I'm going to come across as something of a cold arrogant fuck with this, but: I've found that, in general, the people who yell "Ayn Rand! Objectivism! 'Incredibles' bad!" are the ones who are probably most fearful that they themselves are not in any way special.

It *is* a celebration of mediocrity to "graduate" from fourth grade to fifth. You are *expected* to move up a grade. It's only an aberration worthy of attention if you *don't*, not something celebratory if you *do*. It's like having a pomp and circumstance ceremony for successfully peeing in a toilet. Pfah.

Some people are better at some things than other people. That's life, that's how it goes. I will never be Bruce Lee. I know this. I'm okay with Bruce Lee being a superhero...it doesn't make me feel bad that he's special.

And I don't think he would begrudge me the ability to write.

"If everyone is super...then no one is" is absolutely correct and I think it removes the drive to *become* super to tell everyone that adequacy is "just as spiffy" as excellence.

The problem people have is that they read into 'The Incredibles' a message that isn't there: Some people are super and you're not one of them. Get used to it. Accept your mediocre fate.

I saw a different message: Not everyone is a superhero...yet. Celebrate excellence.

Enough of my rambling.

Showtime.