Without escapsm...

[Wakarimashta!]

Would you imagine a world where there is no such thing as "escapism?" Meaning no fiction and no way to interact with our imaginations - Would it be a tough world to live in?

There are some people who can live without TV, but it's definately not possible to live without reading any sort of books either. Though I'm one of those people that can't stand a day without TV or the internet.

So I need at least an hour of "escape-time" each day from the busy world.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

that is indeed a scary thought O.o *hugs imagination*

[DaughterOfZion]

horribly scary thought

[Puguni]

Well, without imagination, we probably wouldn't get anywhere. I'm mean, the necessity would be there, but without invention through imagination, we'd most likely be dead.

[starfire]

Well, despite the fact that too much tv destroys imagination ...I can't imagine living in a world like that. I'm glad God blessed us with such a wonderful gift.

[Starfire1]

*terrified at the thought*

[Nate]

The less I have to face reality, the better.

[Bobtheduck]

Well, despite the fact that too much tv destroys imagination

I hope you're being sarcastic... This is just not true. The idea that comic books, TV, and video games destroy your imagination... That is truly an archaic paranoia that should have died out once two entire generations had grown up with TV (before that there were enough who didn't watch TV to count against that), and probably 3 generations in Japan had grown up with comic books...

Escapism is good, but only in moderation... It can become an addiction, and can be dangerous then.

[mitsuki lover]

Considering the state of the world these days it is good that we have any form of escapism if we didn't the loony bins would probably be a bit full.
I can't see living through times like these without the help of imagination and escapism.
Personally if it weren't for anime,science fiction,etc.I would probably be
going bonkers by now from listening and reading the news.
Some days looking forward to the next ep. of Inuyasha or reading the
latest manga I bought or thinking about my favorite anime femmes are
the only things that keep me from cracking up.

[ShiroiHikari]

I need escapism. Or I'd be dead already. o_o

[starfire]

I hope you're being sarcastic... This is just not true.

Not really. But, I won't get into that as it could be grounds for arguments.


I think one of the most common forms of escapism is daydreaming. If I didn't daydream, I'd go nuts too. Just from the sheer mundaneness of life. It's nice to be able to escape into a fantasy world every so often.

[Wakarimashta!]

I think one of the most common forms of escapism is daydreaming. If I didn't daydream, I'd go nuts too. Just from the sheer mundaneness of life. It's nice to be able to escape into a fantasy world every so often.

Yes, daydreaming is definately something I can't live without as far as escaping reality. My mind demands that I create things in my head in order to function normally. That's pretty much where all the creativity comes in.

Of course, since we're all grounded in reality, it's necessary to take breaks from our fantasy worlds. Having too much of an imagination is good only if you can get the bills paid and have functional relationships with other people.

[Icarus]

If I didn't have something to excape with, I'd be a vastly different person. Books, manga, and such are still a big part of my life, but lately my mind has been wandering to math.

[uc pseudonym]

A world without escapism would be a world without humans as we know them, I believe.

I hope you're being sarcastic... This is just not true. The idea that comic books, TV, and video games destroy your imagination... That is truly an archaic paranoia that should have died out once two entire generations had grown up with TV (before that there were enough who didn't watch TV to count against that), and probably 3 generations in Japan had grown up with comic books...

I agree with your post almost in full, but I do feel as though I should state one thing. While television is not the death of imagination, it certainly can be. There are many children I know who think about everything in terms of their favorite television shows and movies, and cannot do much of anything that isn't based on them. Of course, this could just as easily happen with literature (and it does).

[starfire]

I never said anything about comic books or video games. And I agree with the part UC said about it "can be". Tv, and even reading(sometiems) are pretty much passive activities. It's known that children who watch tv all the time feel the need to be constantly entertained. That's what I meant. It doesn't stimulate your brain, unless maybe you're watching the math channel. So, that's why I said "too much", to clarify. Sorry, I just reread the post and realized I hadn't really made that part clear.

Oh, and Wakarimashita how right you are! Even imagination has it's limits... ^^ Largo is a fine example of that.

[Alice]

I've tried, and it was tough.

I'm glad I can read books and watch TV sometimes and get on the computer.

[Ingemar]

Escapism abounds, but few are willing to yield to it. Perhaps that's a good thing, because only a few escapists out the whole lot get monetarily successful at what they do.

In a sky full of people, only some want to fly, isn't that crazy?

[bigsleepj]

People need arts and escapism - not just to escape but to help you keep in touch with your beliefs and emotions. Keeping children from what is called in "escapism" can only hurt them in the long run. Tolkien had a word for people who were against escapism - he called them "Jailers". An intellectual, politician or author (Christian or otherwise in all counts) who dislikes any sort of "escapist" story even while praising the "artsy" works has nothing but my contempt.

In the 19th century there was a radical chain of Utilitarian thought that insisted that all people needed were "facts" - no fiction, no fables, no books, no plays, no music. Many people brought up their children on these principles (as well as other thoughts of utilitarianism). The children however, grew up and as adults were out of touch with their emotions and couldn't express these clearly. Some also ended up as self-serving egotists. Even John Stuart Mill, one of the 19th century's most prominent Utilitarians had suffered a nervous breakdown in his 20s and he blamed his education (which removed all poetry and arts from his education) for that - he later found consolation in the poetry of Wordsworth (that should please Scribs ).

The imagination and the ability of someone (an author, an artist) to enrich our lives n our greatest gift from God. Why ignore it?

[Myoti]

Heh, "escapism" for me = reality.

I just spend so much time daydreaming (or rather, "brainstorming"), that I sometimes wind up losing focus on what all is going on (darn you, ADD!).

Of course, I believe myself to have a strong imagination, one that I regularly can use to make myself seem like I know more than I really do.

[~Natsumi Lam~]

i dont know.... i didnt go on the internet at 19 except for aim once a week. I didnt even have an email account i dont think... oh wait i had it from 18. I only checked it once in a great while. I dont think i watched that much tv either. In HS i didnt even go to the movies except when my parents wanted to. I stuck to school and sports. But books on the other hand... i dont know... one time my parents grounded me from books. And church too ... haha i just remembered.

I think my escape is ..... art, sports and books.
On the christian side i would say.... christian music and my bible.
~NL~

[~Natsumi Lam~]

Well, despite the fact that too much tv destroys imagination .

I completely agree.... it doesnt take too much imagination to watch tv... they show you all that you are supposed to see.. and if you linger off sometimes you miss the story...


One of the biggest reasons i didnt play kids games when i was little... too much tv ruined it for me!!!

~NL~

[Bobtheduck]

Yeah, I say that's bunk. I watched a lot of TV and still thought up crazy things and had a very vibrant imagination. I always saw between the shots (AKA read between the lines) Of course, most of the time, I don't Veg in front of a TV... That's probably the difference... I did start to Veg when I was at home for a couple years in my adult life, but usually when I watch TV, I engage... So, it depends on your approach to it.

I agree with your post almost in full, but I do feel as though I should state one thing. While television is not the death of imagination, it certainly can be. There are many children I know who think about everything in terms of their favorite television shows and movies, and cannot do much of anything that isn't based on them. Of course, this could just as easily happen with literature (and it does).

Exactly. There is nothing inherant in TV or visual media that it removes imagination. Taking everything as it is given to them with no further probing in the realm of possibility and alternatives is a problem in every medium. My imagination was completely engaged in most of the things that I watched, at least until I became an adult... For me, reading a book and watching a movie are no different, though reading good book is more like watching a good serial than a single movie, unless it's a short book like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I digress... I also think that a good cinematic game like Metal Gear can be put in the same category.

"Imagination is intelligence having fun" - Albert Einstein, I believe (could be wrong)

Yay for imagination! Speaking of which, I have to get back on my Fanfic... (sorry, for anyone who's been reading it... I got Myspace and have been getting distracted by taht, so I haven't been working on the next chapter...)

[Myoti]

when I watch TV, I engage...

Ah, good to see I'm not alone.

[mitsuki lover]

Actually watching tv helps to stimulate my imagination as much as reading does.
Of course it depends on what show I am watching as well.

[Wakarimashta!]

TV has contributed mostly to my imagination. Tthe characters I see there inspire me to create something "better" than somebody elses. I'm sure everybody started out reading or watching TV and having it have an effect on them.

[Maledicte]

TV has contributed mostly to my imagination. Tthe characters I see there inspire me to create something "better" than somebody elses.

I know the exact feeling.

[mitsuki lover]

When I watch Inuyasha I am always asking questions like these:
*When those this occur?
*What was happening in Europe at the time?
*Which of my ancestors would have been alive then?
*What if Kagome,Inuyasha,et al met someone from Europe?
*Was this before or during the time when the Jesuits arrived?
*Would Kagome,Inuyasha,et al have met any of the new converts
to Catholicism in their travels?
things like that.

[Scribs]

I escape too much, but a little is always a good tool for keeping sane...

[Wakarimashta!]

When I watch Inuyasha I am always asking questions like these:
*When those this occur?
*What was happening in Europe at the time?
*Which of my ancestors would have been alive then?
*What if Kagome,Inuyasha,et al met someone from Europe?
*Was this before or during the time when the Jesuits arrived?
*Would Kagome,Inuyasha,et al have met any of the new converts
to Catholicism in their travels?
things like that.

Interesting. Similiar to what I do when I watch an anime. I would imagine myself "spending time" with an anime character, wondering what it would be like if we were friends throughout the day.

It's like an assignment in my Freshman english class where you had to imagine yourself spending time with your fictional character, in order to develop them more thoroughly in your short story. What fun it is to have an imaginary friend once in a while.

[Little T-chan]

...Actually, I can't even imagine that....isn't like....more than 50% of our culture part of escapism??? +_+