Some thoughts on popular culture
In the library where I work, there’s a popular series of thrillers for adults. It has, I believe, reached 21 books and counting. There are audiobooks and even a TV show, and titles in the series have been bestsellers. The series I’m referring to is the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva. When I first heard of it, the main character-spy, killer, patriot, art restorer-struck me as a perfect Gary Stu. If he were a fanfic character, no one would believe him. But he’s the main character in mainstream, popular, adult novels, and his readers delight in his exploits rather than noticing how improbable they seem.
There is an excellent critique of this series, focusing on one title in particular, at this link.
If we believe words-and stories-have power, we must take that power seriously. Mr. Silva does. As he says himself, his goal was to influence his readers and cause them to support Israel. And I think he’s largely been successful in this.
If we are to challenge imperialism, racism, greed, and violence, we need to change popular culture. For one thing, I’d love to see a series, whether for kids or adults, with a Palestinian crime-fighting hero! I am not the person to write such books, but I hope there’s someone out there who is.
But, regardless of whether we are writers or readers, we can’t simply consume popular culture mindlessly. We need to examine and question it. And we need to show children how to do the same.
Because we build our lives on stories. If the stories we base our actions on are false or toxic, our actions will also be toxic.
That’s why it’s so important to become aware of our own myths, whatever they are. That’s why it’s incumbent on us, as responsible adults, to examine them. If they prove to be untrue, we must tell ourselves different and better stories. May heaven in its mercy give us the strength and wisdom to do so.
There is an excellent critique of this series, focusing on one title in particular, at this link.
If we believe words-and stories-have power, we must take that power seriously. Mr. Silva does. As he says himself, his goal was to influence his readers and cause them to support Israel. And I think he’s largely been successful in this.
If we are to challenge imperialism, racism, greed, and violence, we need to change popular culture. For one thing, I’d love to see a series, whether for kids or adults, with a Palestinian crime-fighting hero! I am not the person to write such books, but I hope there’s someone out there who is.
But, regardless of whether we are writers or readers, we can’t simply consume popular culture mindlessly. We need to examine and question it. And we need to show children how to do the same.
Because we build our lives on stories. If the stories we base our actions on are false or toxic, our actions will also be toxic.
That’s why it’s so important to become aware of our own myths, whatever they are. That’s why it’s incumbent on us, as responsible adults, to examine them. If they prove to be untrue, we must tell ourselves different and better stories. May heaven in its mercy give us the strength and wisdom to do so.