Wow, those "Peace on Earth" cartoons are FASCINATING.
I find it very interesting that in both versions, the animals become completely anthropomorphized after the age of man, rather than reappropriating mankind's remains in an animal-y sort of way. Does this imply that the animals would eventually begin behaving the same as the humans did? Or is destruction inherent not in human(-style) society, but only in humans themselves (in an original sin sort of way?).
Also, note the years. 1939 and 1955. So the 1939 cartoon must have been made by isolationists - communists perhaps? Note that the 1939 version alters the carol's lyrics to avoid reference to God, whereas the 1955 remake not only uses the traditional lyrics, but finishes with a shot of a (broken) stained glass cruxifix and a shining star.
And um... I have more notes. God I wish I still had an excuse to write term papers.
Mourn not for us, for we have known the light, Have looked on beauty, have lived in peace and love, Grieve but for those who go alone, unwise, To die in darkness, never having see the Sun
Check out the story "And When They Appear" in Gene Wolfe's Strange Travellers.
A little boy named Shelby has been orphaned by the violent aftermath of a huge societal breakdown of some sort. He is cared for by his family AI controlled house that throws a Christmas party for him replete with holographic holiday characters even as mob of looters approaches.
@Grey_Area: Prayers to broken stones. I think it's out of print. I only know because I just read it after it was discussed here on io9 a few months back.
There is more the one, after all SinterKlass comes on 5 December, Santa Claus on 24 December, Granfather Winter comes on 31 December, and La Befana & the Magi come on 5 January.
Using a definition of superhero broad enough to include Santa Claus would definitely guarantee he wasn't the first... and that the first was definitely ages before Jesus. Think Hercules, Amon-Ra, UtnaPishtim.
(I don't know if Jesus would qualify as a superhero anymore than, say, Gandhi or MLK or whatever. Though most Marvel superheroes seem to share his uncanny ability to rise from the dead...)
@bakana: I don't think Gandhi or MLK raised the dead, healed the sick, walked on water or changed it into wine. The loaves and fishes trick was worthy of a Super Hero as well.
12/22/08
I find it very interesting that in both versions, the animals become completely anthropomorphized after the age of man, rather than reappropriating mankind's remains in an animal-y sort of way. Does this imply that the animals would eventually begin behaving the same as the humans did? Or is destruction inherent not in human(-style) society, but only in humans themselves (in an original sin sort of way?).
Also, note the years. 1939 and 1955. So the 1939 cartoon must have been made by isolationists - communists perhaps? Note that the 1939 version alters the carol's lyrics to avoid reference to God, whereas the 1955 remake not only uses the traditional lyrics, but finishes with a shot of a (broken) stained glass cruxifix and a shining star.
And um... I have more notes. God I wish I still had an excuse to write term papers.
12/22/08
12/22/08
Mourn not for us, for we have known the light,
Have looked on beauty, have lived in peace and love,
Grieve but for those who go alone, unwise,
To die in darkness, never having see the Sun
12/22/08
12/22/08
Mourn not for us
We have looked on beauty
Have lived in peace and loved
Mourn for those who live in darkness
And never see the sun.
Or at least thats what I remember of it from a couple of decades ago, anyone care to correct me?
12/22/08
Nay, grieve not for the dead alone
Whose song has told their hearts' sad story,--
Weep for the voiceless, who have known
The cross without the crown of glory!
12/22/08
A little boy named Shelby has been orphaned by the violent aftermath of a huge societal breakdown of some sort. He is cared for by his family AI controlled house that throws a Christmas party for him replete with holographic holiday characters even as mob of looters approaches.
12/22/08
Of course, he would take that as a compliment.
12/22/08
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12/20/08
Is this implying that Hancock was bad? I thought it was a pretty good movie and in no way deserved this comment.
12/20/08
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12/20/08
(I don't know if Jesus would qualify as a superhero anymore than, say, Gandhi or MLK or whatever. Though most Marvel superheroes seem to share his uncanny ability to rise from the dead...)
12/20/08
12/20/08
Nicholas Was...
[www.neilgaiman.com]
12/20/08
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12/15/08
12/15/08
12/15/08
He puts himself in a quantum superposition, then he only has to deliver one present, once, to do the whole world.
That's why you have to be asleep when he shows up, if you saw him the waveform would collapse and you wouldn't get any presents.
12/15/08
Quantum Santa is awesome
12/15/08
I can't remember for some reason.
12/15/08
A Quantum of Santa.
12/15/08
12/16/08
Don't observe it!
DAMN YOU HEISENBERG!!!!
DAMN YOU TO HELLL!!!