- Sep 22, 2013
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What is it about Halloween and masquerade that stirs the human imagination?
When we transform ourselves or see ourselves as other characters/beings (when we wear costumes/masks), we may see ourselves experiencing 'otherness' or the fantasy of escaping reality. Through this form of 'escapism,' we may be able to meditate on the geometry/contours of self-image and self-awareness, which is why perhaps kids like Halloween so much (since kids like creating 'virtual realities' or 'pretend-worlds').
Imagine therefore a hypothetical politico-cultural dialogue between a warlock dressed up as an American horror-film avatar/ghoul such as Leatherface (the eerie fictional chainsaw-wielding cannibal from the iconic Texas Chainsaw Massacre film franchise) and a costumed/masked terrorist (or vigilante) perhaps working for ISIS (or the Hell's Angels). Such a symbolic dialogue would illuminate some interesting ideas regarding American values and 'pedestrian philosophy.'
What would President Trump (a man much-criticized for cultural biases) say?
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WARLOCK: I like dressing up as a monster to incite ideas about Samhain and masquerade.
VIGILANTE: Maybe costumes/masks remind you of alternative realities/identities/sexualities!
WARLOCK: I'm not homosexual. I simply want to create a 'virtual world' of anarchism.
VIGILANTE: Well, homosexuals and transvestites sometimes masquerade as 'drag-queens.'
WARLOCK: The ritual of costume-wearing and all its revelry represents humanism and bohemianism.
VIGILANTE: Why do you think American kids like Halloween so much?
WARLOCK: America's brand of confluence/consumerism (e.g., Facebook) caters to 'virtual democracy.'
VIGILANTE: You're saying kids like wearing masks so they can 'pretend' they're patriotic?
WARLOCK: Exactly. They're subliminally 'embracing' American populism through the ritual of Halloween.
VIGILANTE: Why do you say Halloween is linked to populism/democracy?
WARLOCK: When people revel in costumes/masks, it's a gesture of trust.
VIGILANTE: Maybe the American comic book villainess Poison Ivy (an eco-terrorist) symbolizes wrath.
WARLOCK: Poison Ivy costumes are popular during Halloween, since women like politics.
VIGILANTE: That's not unlike Tarzan jungle-man Halloween costumes signifying 'naturalism politics.'
WARLOCK: Exactly. It's why many action-figures for kids come complete with miniature tools/weapons.
VIGILANTE: Perhaps American films such as Inspector Gadget symbolize 'political paranoia.'
WARLOCK: That seems correct. You should realize that Halloween is a lot like the Mummers Parade.
VIGILANTE: Maybe!
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When we transform ourselves or see ourselves as other characters/beings (when we wear costumes/masks), we may see ourselves experiencing 'otherness' or the fantasy of escaping reality. Through this form of 'escapism,' we may be able to meditate on the geometry/contours of self-image and self-awareness, which is why perhaps kids like Halloween so much (since kids like creating 'virtual realities' or 'pretend-worlds').
Imagine therefore a hypothetical politico-cultural dialogue between a warlock dressed up as an American horror-film avatar/ghoul such as Leatherface (the eerie fictional chainsaw-wielding cannibal from the iconic Texas Chainsaw Massacre film franchise) and a costumed/masked terrorist (or vigilante) perhaps working for ISIS (or the Hell's Angels). Such a symbolic dialogue would illuminate some interesting ideas regarding American values and 'pedestrian philosophy.'
What would President Trump (a man much-criticized for cultural biases) say?
====
WARLOCK: I like dressing up as a monster to incite ideas about Samhain and masquerade.
VIGILANTE: Maybe costumes/masks remind you of alternative realities/identities/sexualities!
WARLOCK: I'm not homosexual. I simply want to create a 'virtual world' of anarchism.
VIGILANTE: Well, homosexuals and transvestites sometimes masquerade as 'drag-queens.'
WARLOCK: The ritual of costume-wearing and all its revelry represents humanism and bohemianism.
VIGILANTE: Why do you think American kids like Halloween so much?
WARLOCK: America's brand of confluence/consumerism (e.g., Facebook) caters to 'virtual democracy.'
VIGILANTE: You're saying kids like wearing masks so they can 'pretend' they're patriotic?
WARLOCK: Exactly. They're subliminally 'embracing' American populism through the ritual of Halloween.
VIGILANTE: Why do you say Halloween is linked to populism/democracy?
WARLOCK: When people revel in costumes/masks, it's a gesture of trust.
VIGILANTE: Maybe the American comic book villainess Poison Ivy (an eco-terrorist) symbolizes wrath.
WARLOCK: Poison Ivy costumes are popular during Halloween, since women like politics.
VIGILANTE: That's not unlike Tarzan jungle-man Halloween costumes signifying 'naturalism politics.'
WARLOCK: Exactly. It's why many action-figures for kids come complete with miniature tools/weapons.
VIGILANTE: Perhaps American films such as Inspector Gadget symbolize 'political paranoia.'
WARLOCK: That seems correct. You should realize that Halloween is a lot like the Mummers Parade.
VIGILANTE: Maybe!
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