Soon after The Green Hornet radio show made its debut, the first superhero to wear a skin-tight costume and mask — The Phantom — made his appearance in U.S. newspapers from coast to coast. Both created distinct kinds of “tensions” in the Winter, 1936.
Another type of tension — deep-seated strains, actually — rose astronomically in Spain not long after the comic figures had their impact, exploding in the Spring. And Antony Beevor, in his monumentally important study of the Spanish Civil War,
On his way to Madrid University, the young man observed an unforgettable expression of hatred on the face of a tram-driver, in the process of letting passengers get on and off. The driver was staring at the face of a beautiful woman, his visage seething with rage as her well-dressed body disembarked from the streetcar.
“We’ve really had it ,” thought the disciple: “When Marx has more effect than hormones, there is nothing to be done.”
It wasn’t just a function of Marx’s influence, perhaps, but the point is clear: Under certain circumstances, normal human instincts can be overridden. And at such a juncture, a deep sense of hopelessness sets in, acceptance of impotency appears to be the only option.
Not the kind of fare for a Streetcar Named Desire. Depression, maybe.
These days I’m most interested in what overrides both common sense and instinct. That is, I see — all around me — an almost comic book version of “Captain Survival Meets Penultimate Priorities.”
Some out-of-whack examples:
a) The U.S. war machine arrogantly “abuses” a billion Muslims (and others) in the name of national security, and returning Vets undermine the last vestiges of military credibility.
b) The U.S. contributes to — virtually guarantees — 150,000 (mostly Hindu) farmer suicides in India by its foreign agricultural policies,
c) The U.S. government continues to think that it is presenting “Democracy in Action” to the world with its electoral process, when the validity of voting machines is highly questionable, marginalized segments of its population are disenfranchised, and voter turnout continues its decline with Tweedledee/Tweedledum choices. All as media outlets fall into fewer and fewer hands.
d) The U.S. advertises itself as an “example of economic prosperity” whilst the dollar declines relative to the euro and other important currencies week after week.
e) The U.S., in the midst of experiencing ongoing, record-setting catastrophes and unprecedented environmental ills/shortages, portrays itself as #1, Heaven on Earth. As the Ecocide on Earth is mostly paid lip-service. Laid out for Green Festivals…for those who can pay.
f) The U.S., firmly ensconced on land stolen from Mexico and indigenous peoples, impoverishes both groups, increasing the likelihood of foreign emigration, whilst taking violent action against immigrants whose labor is much needed domestically.
g) Blatant racism grows, and is institutionalized, as Orwellian denials of such practices preclude rational approaches to solutions, and domestic violence in all quarters soars, as an unhealthy bunker mentality across the nation becomes the norm.
Insanity. Nothing natural here.
I could go on, of course.
But the most telling example of instinct being overridden, of common sense not being honored, comes from the Amerikan public’s stance respecting all of this, not from the government’s indiscretions, callousness, shortsighted self-destructiveness. Bought off with an (apparently) organic apple, or inexpensive sweatshop top, as the case may be.
People in the U.S. — by their actions and inaction — are ensuring that the future will hold no beauty, no sensations to speak of but violent-prone thoughts. Ugliness all the way down to the bone.
With an un-heroic, dastardly, comic look.