ThunderCats: Setting Kids Up For Disappointment?
January 22nd, 2009
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Do childhood cartoons set expectations that kids carry with them into adulthood?
On the 1980s series ThunderCats, Lion-O was only 12 years old when he got on the spaceship that took the ThunderCats to their new home. But because his suspended animation capsule failed to prevent him from aging on the long journey, he literally became a child in a man’s body. Perhaps this was done to let kids relate to him better.
Anyway, while Lion-O’s heritage made him Lord of the ThunderCats, he lacked the wisdom and maturity he needed to stay out of trouble. But no problem, because he always took the Sword of Omens with him. Whenever he got into more trouble than he could handle, he’d use his sword to emit the ThunderCats signal. Bright beams of light would shoot up into the sky and form the ThunderCats logo, calling all his friends to his rescue.
The signal always worked. If he was in an underground cave, the signal would penetrate solid rock to reach the surface. If he was in outer space, the signal would still reach his planet. If he was in a location that seemed impossible to get to in time, the ThunderCats would have just finished making a modification to one of their vehicles that would let them get to him.
The audience was assured that anytime Lion-O got into trouble, all he had to do was call for help. As long as he did that, nothing could possibly go wrong.
And so, the kids who watched this show learned that help always arrives when you need it. The thing is, in real life, it doesn’t. Sometimes bad things will happen, and no one will come to the rescue. Were these kids set up for disappointment, led to believe that the world is much safer than it really is?
Or was it harmless entertainment, because these kids learned the truth as they grew up? You could say everyone knows that we can’t count on a savior always being ready and able to fix any problem. And yet, some people seem to think that all we have to do is call Barack Obama, I mean the other ThunderCats, and everything will be OK.
What do you think?
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
When we watch movies or TV together, we often talk with our kids about the difference between fantasy worlds such as TV and reality.
People believe Obama will save us because they are desperate to believe in SOMETHING. Because things are scary and are not getting better.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:42 am
I think the current situation, it has more to do with humanity being lazy as a whole and wanting quick fixes and Obama’s YES WE CAN slogan sounds like a quick fix without hard work.
Fortunately he’s being VERY clear about how much hard work it will take and that change will happen slowly.
Of course there are many people out there who ignore what they don’t want to hear and then when their quick-fix bubble finally breaks they’ll be unjustly angry.
To me, nothing to do with TV and everything to do with general human nature.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..What’s the Big Picture? Don’t lose yourself in details
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 am
So are you telling me that I’m not supposed to be sending my mortgage bills to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
I’m pretty sure that’s how it’s supposed to work now.
Jeremy Davis´s last blog post..39 Grunge Websites
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:13 am
I think I watched more shows than just Thundercats, but He-Man probably damaged me a lot more.
Michael Martine´s last blog post..WordPress.TV Launches – Video Tutorials Galore!
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I really hope that everyone isn’t thinking that Obama will save us, as this economic mess is much too large for any president. Here are the top reasons we are in this s&@$ storm in the first place:
1. No personal savings
2. High non-mortgage debt
3. Pure and blatant greed from everyone. Every bank CEO doesn’t just turn evil overnight. They have to have the help of a compliant population. Doesn’t excuse them, but it is a reason.
4. I want this, thus I will have it. No ability to put off gratification.
5. Adjustable rate mortga…teaser rates….aaahhhh, screw it, why do I have to read the fine print. Who cares if this house is 6 times what I make in a year, I’m sure I will get a raise and be able to pay for this monstrosity…and my BMW or 5 ton SUV/truck that only hauls me.
The president can’t really help with any of these things. Now we just have to take the pain.
So, to answer your question, yes. Everyone is expecting Superman to save us, while we sip lemonade on the front porch.
Chad @ Sentient Money´s last blog post..A Rebound Built on Sand
January 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am
@ Vered, it’s good that you talk about the difference between fantasy and reality. That lets your kids make the most of both worlds.
@ Alex, I guess after the dot com bubble and the real estate bubble, we now have a quick fix bubble.
@ Jeremy, don’t forget to send your share of the national debt while you’re at it.
@ Michael, I’m laughing because I just happened to stumble onto a He-Man clip the day before this. Sadly, it didn’t seem as good as I remembered.
@ Chad, well, it could be worse. At least we have lemonade.
January 28th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Dude, is *that* what Thundercats was about? I loved it, and yet can’t remember a single character or plot point. I’m with Michael Martine; I had He-Man nightmares for years.
Sara at On Simplicity´s last blog post..My Dirty Blogging Secret
January 29th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
@ Sara, well, that’s part of what it was about. But there’s so much more. Maybe you’ll get the DVDs for Christmas.
January 25th, 2010 at 9:05 am
You know whats damaging to society, parents who are to lazy to explain the difference between reality and fantasy. Schools that teach you the same math equations, the same english rules that you MUST follow but in four years fail to teach you the importance of a three digit number that will dictate the rest of your life. Lastly the news reporters that bash FANTASY violence in video games, cartoons and professional wrestling but then turn around and show hidden camera footage of police beatings, public beatings, abductions and any other REAL display of violence.
I personally loved then and still love today the Thundercats. They may not have been educational or ” family friendly ” shows that they have for kids today, but you know what no one was ever fired for being discovered leading a life of debauchery or removed from a show for having incorporated references of ( all be it nothing wrong with it ) homosexuality.
Classic Disney ( The Real Disney ) was more damaging than anything Thundercats, Justice League, Voltron, G.I. Joe, Transformers etc… even thought of doing. Look at all the drug and sex related inuendos : Alice In Wonderland – A giant catepillar smoking a hookah, Alice – Taking multiple drugs on her ” TRIP ” through wonderland, Little Mermaid – They had to completely redesign the cover of the original movie after it was discovered on of the pillars in King Tridents castle looked identical to a certain male reproductive organ, Sleeping Beauty – Attempted murder by way of poisened apple.
I hardly think that a cartoon showing that when you’re in trouble you can rely on your friends when you need them was even remotely half as bad as anything listed above, not to mention that list could have gone on.