Of artifacts and replicas
Just had a conversation where I finally had been able to solidify something for myself; to get it into words.
I have nothing against replicas in general, whatever their flavor. However, there are a couple that make my skin crawl, and it's hard for me to imagine why someone would want to own one. Namely, the One Ring (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) and Frostmourne (Warcraft games).
Why? They're replicas of imaginary things, right? And jewelry and swords are just tools in any case, right?
For me, it's the idea behind them, what they represent. These are artifacts of extreme power, yes, but not just that: they have no redeemable qualities whatsoever. Unlike other tools, they literally cannot be used to good purpose; even someone with the best intentions will be twisted, consumed. The replicas represent items that completely take over the lives of their bearers. They are physical manifestations of addiction, of greed, of corrupt power. The events in the books and games may not have actually happened, but there is a deep meaning behind such things, a truth that echoes into reality. I would no more wish to have one of these than a replica torture device, or one of the actual gemstones whose histories are written in blood and betrayal, and thus purported to be cursed. I do not fear these things, but they do revolt me.
I don't understand how people can ignore the history and meaning so much that they just see a thing as "cool," a famous shiny they can wear, or display.
I have nothing against replicas in general, whatever their flavor. However, there are a couple that make my skin crawl, and it's hard for me to imagine why someone would want to own one. Namely, the One Ring (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) and Frostmourne (Warcraft games).
Why? They're replicas of imaginary things, right? And jewelry and swords are just tools in any case, right?
For me, it's the idea behind them, what they represent. These are artifacts of extreme power, yes, but not just that: they have no redeemable qualities whatsoever. Unlike other tools, they literally cannot be used to good purpose; even someone with the best intentions will be twisted, consumed. The replicas represent items that completely take over the lives of their bearers. They are physical manifestations of addiction, of greed, of corrupt power. The events in the books and games may not have actually happened, but there is a deep meaning behind such things, a truth that echoes into reality. I would no more wish to have one of these than a replica torture device, or one of the actual gemstones whose histories are written in blood and betrayal, and thus purported to be cursed. I do not fear these things, but they do revolt me.
I don't understand how people can ignore the history and meaning so much that they just see a thing as "cool," a famous shiny they can wear, or display.