Tactical Grace
18-05-2004, 05:06
I was watching the new Twilight Zone today. For those who do not know what it is, it is a sci-fi / fantasy anthology, sort of like The Outer Limits, where characters are judged on their humanity and a unique brand of twisted poetic justice is meted out.
One of today's episodes was about a struggling graphic novel artist suffering from creative block. In despair, he creates an imaginary companion in his dreams, to act as a muse. He makes excellent progress thanks to her very persuasive methods of encouraging him to continue. But then he notices her becoming visible to other people. She begins to interact with them, even to the extent of flirting with other men and driving his car. She even begins to work expertly on his drawings. In a fit of rage and control-freakery, he orders her to submit to his wishes and remain his property, confined to his house and out of the sight of others. But at this point, he is becoming ever more ephemeral, even as she becomes ever more solid. The graphic novel is completed - but the cost is his own existence. His imaginary muse, now living his life, erases him, wishing him away in her mind.
What is the lesson here? Well, in these dark and nasty morality tales I love so much, there are always certain conventions which are followed. I will not discuss them here. But the point I wish to make is a cautionary tale of some relevance to this community...that the creations of one's mind can be the tools of one's own destruction.
One of today's episodes was about a struggling graphic novel artist suffering from creative block. In despair, he creates an imaginary companion in his dreams, to act as a muse. He makes excellent progress thanks to her very persuasive methods of encouraging him to continue. But then he notices her becoming visible to other people. She begins to interact with them, even to the extent of flirting with other men and driving his car. She even begins to work expertly on his drawings. In a fit of rage and control-freakery, he orders her to submit to his wishes and remain his property, confined to his house and out of the sight of others. But at this point, he is becoming ever more ephemeral, even as she becomes ever more solid. The graphic novel is completed - but the cost is his own existence. His imaginary muse, now living his life, erases him, wishing him away in her mind.
What is the lesson here? Well, in these dark and nasty morality tales I love so much, there are always certain conventions which are followed. I will not discuss them here. But the point I wish to make is a cautionary tale of some relevance to this community...that the creations of one's mind can be the tools of one's own destruction.