STRANGER
Posted by anthonynorth on July 5, 2009
Find current affairs & prompts below.
PAPPA RAZZI
The Stranger
(Take One)
The Stranger is an important archetype. He inhabits our deep psyche,
and is a part of the heroism within ourselves. He is our dream of going
out into the world, doing good, and then simply moving on. He is
usually subsumed by our Ego, who needs a reward, but he is alive in
culture. From James Bond to Doctor Who, he is our ultimate fantasy
hero. And he is so successful because he is what men dream of being.
BRIT NEWS: City watchdog says we
will have to work until we’re 70 to get
decent pension. Sorry, decent pension is a
dream we can’t afford. When will we realise this?
HEALTH NEWS: Swine flu no longer containable. In UK 100,000
cases a day by Aug most gloomy prediction. But still mild in
most cases.
WORLD NEWS: Bloggers and Govts working as one? It
seems pressure from the two spheres are making
China relent on internet censorship. Shocked
all round.
One Single Impression
Sunday Scribblings
HUMAN
Sci Fi: ‘So you have your report?’ asked the Director of Galactic
Misdemeanour. ‘I have,’ replied the Investigator. ‘The species is
Human, planet Earth. Typical evolutionary path. Reached globally
calamitous tech levels rather quickly, spurred on by a series of
ideologies and inter-species hatreds. The destructive path always
seems to provide the better tech. Descended into trivia-based
mass capitalism as expected, and accelerated climate change,
with the double problems of tech-based medications accelerating
viral evolution, and chemical use reducing sperm count.’ The
director sat back: ‘Classic self-hate syndrome.’ He sighed. When
will these lower species learn, he wondered, looking again
at the fossil.
STRANGER
(Take Two)
The stranger comes, who is he?
He’s going to change your destiny,
Stranger – how things now occur,
Nothing the same, all a blur,
Stranger, stranger all you do,
For good or bad, it’s life anew
© Anthony North, July 2009
The Dark Lord said
Loved both your takes on the prompt… and indeed, your perspective of “stranger”.. as someone who heralds something new.. and also, as a being of our ultimate fantasy!
anthonynorth said
Hi The Dark Lord,
Thanks for that. Kind words which are much appreciated.
Quilly said
Ah, yes, The Stranger. Take “Strider” in The Hobbit. An unknown hero — he is helping, or is he? We are not certain he’s a good guy, until we learn he is the King who felt unworthy to claim his throne. Pure romance and epic heroism. Sigh.
Your “Human” post struck a cord today as well. We watched the old George Carlin “Save the Planet” routine today. We don’t have to worry about saving the planet. When it gets tired of our collective stupidity and nuisance factors, it will get rid of us.
anthonynorth said
Hi Quilly,
Yes, the Stranger is centre of so much excellent fiction, of all genres – he is that deep in our psyche. And you’re so right about the planet. It is not the planet at risk, just us. Maybe that message should be shouted more often.
shraddha said
very nicely written…
anthonynorth said
Hi Shraddha,
Thanks for that.
Nathalie (Spacedlaw) said
A stranger always presents a temptation and a threat.
AD said
yours is always a treat and my thirst lingers on
Happy SS
Nostalgic Human
anthonynorth said
Hi Nathalie,
Yes, that is usually build into our idea of him.
Hi AD,
Many thanks. Hopefully I will not disappoint
marja said
Some men are very good in being strangers.
When will these lower species learn? Haha yes indeed I loved your take
anthonynorth said
Hi Marja,
Thanks for that. And yes, I agree, some men are like that.
Brian said
Howdy stranger.
Are you surviving the hot weather?
anthonynorth said
Hi Brian,
Thanks for that
No, I’m afraid my cfs and hot weather like this do not mix. Everything is a little slow at the moment. Still, I carry on
Fledgling Poet said
Your “Human” was fantastic! Sadly, I agree with your take on things…when will we learn? :~)
Stranger (Take One) resonated with me, too, especially the part about the Ego. I think Ego is the reason that we, as lower species, struggle so much!
James said
Mankind will come to realise that all his problems come from one source. The Ego.
This is what man will learn.
Twilight said
The Stranger – yes, it’s a favourite theme for most of us. “Shane” popped into my mind first, then Clint Eastwood characters from several western movies. At the other end of the scale, Ford Prefect from Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Not particularly heroic, but very strange, that one!
“Human” brought on a mild attack of goosebumps AN! We are such children, so unaware of the dangers of putting our hands into the fire because it’s pretty.
anthonynorth said
Hi Fledgling Poet,
Many thanks. Yes, Ego is such a problem. If only we could learn to advance without it.
Hi James,
Very true.
Hi Twilight,
Your last line is scary indeed, but very true. I think Eastwood played the role to perfection, such a Stranger that he was the man with no name.
Dr. John said
Your story suggests we didn’t learn and that certainly is a possibility. But even if we change life is fragile. A shift in the magnetic pole, a slight heating up of the son, a little more tilt to the planetary axis and we could all be gone. We , however, prefer scenarios where we are too blame not nature.
anthonynorth said
Hi Dr John,
A valid point. I suppose the answer is, we can’t do anything about what nature does to us.
Jim said
Good all around, Anthony.
The news–I was 68 when I was forced by health issues into retirement. Mine is not decent but is tolerable. Eight years later my income has not increased but the outtake has upped by 50%.
Take one–the Lone Ranger with silver bullet idea
Take two–apprehension of the unknown
..
anthonynorth said
Hi Jim,
Thanks for that. Yes, the pension problem is a real problem, and I don’t think there is an answer to it, other than lowering our expectations.
A harsh message, but I think a reality.
naramalone said
I hadn’t thought of a stranger as something positive. You’ve made me see it from a new angle. Loved all your entries here.
SandyCarlson said
I love what you wrote about the stranger. These ideas manifest themselves in many of the poems written for today.
Selma said
You can also apply the mythology of the stranger in everyday life. I can’t tell you the number of times I have been astounded by the kindness of strangers – people who have helped me whom I have never seen again. It does restore one’s faith in humanity.
SandyCarlson said
The impossibility of health care makes it so difficult to imagine 70, much less working to 70. Meanwhile, though, there are 70-year-olds applying to work at Wal-Mart. Physical labor. This is our world.
Beth said
Hi Anthony–
As per usual, your take on stuff is so clear, whimsical and compelling! Thanks for your work on the archetype of ‘the stranger’ and our media-based knowledge of ‘him’.
Many, many thanks–
Beth
JanePoet ~ JP/deb said
Excellent piece on Human … scary possible future. Love how your work always is though-provoking.
Peace,
JP/deb
Jeeves said
Stranger the ultimate hero. Indeed.
anthonynorth said
Hi Naramalone,
Thanks for that. Glad you liked the post. Yes, I think most things can have various perspectives.
Hi Sandy,
Yes, many varied stories and poems are responses to a few well travelled ideas, such as the stranger. As to health, we’re assuming that we’ve got the lifestyle to live a long time now. But those who ARE livng long were actually brought up in supposed less healthy times.
Interesting, isn’t it?
Hi Selma,
A very good point, and this does happen. Media always portrays such strangers as something to be wary of, but they can surprise.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for the kind words. It makes it all worthwhile.
Hi Jane Poet,
Many thanks. Yes, it is a scary future – time to change our ways.
Hi Jeeves,
Yes, he’s always been represented in media, from early myth to modern fiction.
MichaelO said
What could be stranger than human? “Classic self-hate syndrome”, perfectly stated!
Tumblewords said
Stranger rides a dark horse – nice work – both takes.
anthonynorth said
Hi Michael,
Thanks for that. It certainly seems to be true at times, when I see the madness we cause.
Hi Tumblewords,
Many thanks. Those strangers are certainly strange.
gabrielle said
I love your description of the stranger as the growing edge.
Leo said
i like ur second take more than the first… was eloquently penned and i could just recite it in a flow without the meaning ever lost…
nicely done!
anthonynorth said
Hi Gabrielle,
Many thanks. Yes, he has an important cultrural role for us, I’m sure.
Hi Leo,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Dr. John said
For the Church the year was also a teaching device. The congregation couldn’t read or write so the various festivals were udsed to teach events in the life of Jesus and the Church.
Dee said
Stranger: not just what men dream of being, but of what women dream will ride in on that white horse!
Human: It shouldn’t be a surprise, but it is at the end. Didn’t expect fossil! Loved the phrase “trivia-based mass capitalism” – such an apt description.
anthonynorth said
Hi Dr John,
I suppose the way I see it is like this: I doubt there is a single system – religious or political – that isn’t born with good intentions and IS good. Similarly, the vast majority involved do good works. But a few charlatans always use the system to guarantee their own thirst for power – the politicians in front of their cameras you spoke of earlier; Christendom’s kings, using Divine Right to create their tyrannies.
Meaning is always a powerful political tool. One day, I hope we may overcome it, and allow those religions to be what they always should be – what most within them know they are.
Hi Dee,
Thanks for that. Ah, those white horses …
patois said
As always, magnificent all around. I very much enjoyed your Human offering this week.
anthonynorth said
Hi Patois,
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
texasblu said
Both strangers are delightful – I think you are so right on the money.
anthonynorth said
Hi Texasblu,
Thanks for that. Yes, the stranger has a rich cultural story.
SandyCarlson said
Oh, the Facebook faux pas was sad and laughable somehow. Little bit like Google Earthing the Pentagon. Yeesh.
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandy,
Yep, it’s new territory which is throwing up some hilarious stories.
Reader Wil said
Hi Anthony! Thanks for your visit to my blog and your comment, which I always appreciate very much. The year has always been divided into something like seasons. The Australian Aborigines had a calendar to indicate when and where young animals were around, for that was the time they didn’t hunt them. They travelled around during the course of the year, and by this calendar, they were able to take care of their land. It was not a religious system but a good way to divide the year and to hold track of the time. The mystery of Stonehenge has to do with time. I still don’t know who built it, but it’s interesting to see how these pre- historic people handled time, seasons and the climate. Thanks for giving us a post to think about!
anthonynorth said
Hi Reader Wil,
Thanks for that. Yes, the calendar certainly began as an important system to assist man with nature. I suppose this is what made us so in tune and adaptable to the later cultural additions that inevitably control.
I suppose this is most obvious with the week, which appears just as ‘real’ as the day or month, but actually has no astronomical or chronological justification.
Sandy said
Your poem made me think of new to the scene, Obama.
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandy,
Yes, this is the thing about the ’stranger’. Culturally, we can identify with it in so many ways.
if said
interesting ideas..!
anthonynorth said
Hi If,
Thanks for that.