"Firefly" part of "Media That Inspire Us" by Mendur

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

"Firefly" part of "Media That Inspire Us"

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POSTED BY: MENDUR
UPDATED: Friday, May 13, 2011 06:45
SHORT URL: http://bit.ly/jmnKpD
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Thursday, May 12, 2011 6:23 AM

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/guest-post-liberty-cinema-media-inspi
re-us

Citizen Kane

Seven Samurai

Star Wars

Firefly

Well ... why not?

The Codex Menduri: http://mendur.blogspot.com

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Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:50 AM

PENGUIN

Firefly – Television, Created By Joss Whedon, 2002 to 2002: Firefly is the anti-Star Trek. Where Star Trek glorifies the philosophy of collectivism and paints it as the magic solution to war, famine, pestilence, etc., Firefly shows collectivism as it actually is; the foundation of complete totalitarianism, and the solution to nothing. In Star Trek, the methodology is: The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few. In Firefly, the methodology is: The many are usually too ignorant to know what they “need”, so why should the aware few be forced to suffer in the wake of their stupidity or greed? The show is a breath of fresh air, to say the least…

Whedon’s story of a band of outlaws on the rim of the “civilized” universe trying to make ends meet while faced with encroaching Federalist control is, without a doubt, a parable for Constitutionalism. How much is Whedon aware of the Liberty Movement or the New World Order? Watching Firefly or his latest show on mind control, ‘Dollhouse’, I think he knows quite a bit. Which is why, of course, Firefly seems to have been canceled before it even finished its first season.

Fox sabotaged Firefly from the very beginning, showing the episodes out of order, including the premier, which introduces all the characters and the main plotline (when was the last time you saw a show launched without showing the first episode first!?). Of course, ratings on the show flopped, because audiences had no clue how to follow a story told out of sequence. Fox then used the low ratings as an excuse to cancel the show. Again, don’t make TV shows that are anti-collectivist, or you will be canceled.

King of the Mythical Land that is Iowa

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Thursday, May 12, 2011 10:22 AM

DMI

Expired, forgotten, spoiled rotten.

Wow, I strongly dislike this guy's assessment of both shows. Star Trek isn't about collectivism. Hello, the greatest Star Trek villain, The Borg, are also called the Collective. Star Trek, if anything, is about altruism through individuality. Maybe this guy has only seen Wrath of Khan, but even then he misinterpreted it. The Federation didn't order Spock to sacrifice himself for the greater good, he volunteered to.

Star Trek is all about preserving the integrity of the individual. From Riker defending the rights of an individual with gender in a society where such a thing is forbidden to Bashir defending a patient's right to live and die how she chooses, Star Trek beat us over our head with individuality for 30 seasons. This guy seems to make the leap from no money to communism, which couldn't be more false. Communism is about rigid economic equality (or at least it's supposed to be), yet Star Trek focuses on part of a futuristic society still formulated around rank. The individuals of Star Trek don't care about earning money, they want to be the best person they can be. This is why Picard refuses to allow the forced relocation of the Ba'ku.

The Federation never forces anyone to join their society; other cultures appeal to join of their own volition. How much more different can they get from the Alliance? The Federation is a democracy, whereas I always got the impression that The Alliance was more of a republic/oligarchy.

Besides, Mal's rugged individuality comes only as an act of rebellion against an oppressive government he views as illegal, it isn't a stance against government in general. He joined the army, for Christ's sake! Hell, Mal and Kirk are cut from the same clothe. There's little doubt in my mind that Mal would be in Starfleet if he were in the other universe.

I could go on, but I suppose its not worth it. This guy mistakes methodology for philosophy and lauds the kind of movements that would plunge the world back into feudalism.

Firefly has seen better praise.

-----------------------------
I pray for one last landing,
on the globe that gave me birth.
Let me rest my eyes on the fleecy skies
and the cool, green hills of Earth.

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Thursday, May 12, 2011 11:15 AM

RIONAEIRE

Beir bua agus beannacht

I agree that his assessment of Firefly is off kilter, it almost sounds like Mal and them are mean folk who think they're better than everyone else, and that isn't the point of Firefly at all. Oh well, I guess we all interpret things differently ... did he watch the show?
:)

"A completely coherant River means writers don't deliver" KatTaya

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Friday, May 13, 2011 6:45 AM

WEICHI

Well I have to say I agree with the original blogger.

Firefly is the anti Star Trek in many, many ways. Don't get me wrong, I love Star Trek, but Firefly is its opposite, and a better show.

Fundamentally, the message of Firefly is that mankind's future in space will be a lonely one, and our problem will be the same as it has always been - us. I see nothing in mankind that suggests we will magically outgrow our flaws in the way depicted by Star Trek. The future will have rust and debris and folding lawn chairs and people struggling to get by and a government that is deeply flawed.

Star Trek does portray a positive view of humanity and a collective, harmonius society. It is only a wonderful one because the writers make it so - real humans in those situations will, in fact, behave like and make the same kind of errors as the Alliance.

The comment that Mal and company are portrayed as "mean folk" and think they are better than everyone is a strange one. What the blogger said was the crew of Firefly had the sense to recognize that power corrupts, and the best way to lead a virtuous (if shady)life is to avoid its dictates. "Thats what governments do, get in folks' way (paraphrase)" Mal did not join the "Army" as we would see it - it was a band of rebels, organized against a real Army.

Cleary, all Browncoats should agree - we should not have to follow the masses that are not smart enough to know what is good for them - because that is what happened to the show - our enjoyment was cut short by the fact the collective did not get it.

See how I'm not hitting him, I think I've grown!

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