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I find that western culture emphasizes the importance of agency at the expense of community. Kung fu panda, and most animated movies are good examples of where

I find that western culture emphasizes the importance of agency at the expense of community. Kung fu panda, and most animated movies are good examples of where we see agency exalted as a desirable trait, and acts of rebellion are portrayed as “brave.” While rebellion is a necessary part of growing up, it is merely a manifestation of becoming comfortable with one’s agency in the world and nothing more. The article explains why kung fu panda is a great movie by starting with a quote highlighting the pandas desire to break away from expectations to pursue his passion. By the end of the article, there’s a quote about illusion of control. It’s contradictory, and ultimately I think we’re ingrained to favor sentiments of agency and discount any notion of loss-of-control which is a shame. Societies are created by individual pursuits towards “happiness.” I submit that societies crumble because of the same forces. By prioritizing individualistic endeavors, and cherishing agency, we fail to account for the need to compromise, and collaborate to fulfill societal duties (whatever those may be in any given time)

FredPret 5y ago
Western culture is also soaked in politics. It’s almost all we talk about. And it’s all about compromises.
moviewise 5y ago
> The article explains why kung fu panda is a great movie by starting with a quote highlighting the pandas desire to break away from expectations to pursue his passion. By the end of the article, there’s a quote about illusion of control. It’s contradictory I think the "desire to break away from expectations" and the "illusion of control" are not contradictory because they represent different struggles. The former is a struggle within, the latter is a struggle against the world. Understanding for yourself what you want to accept from the larger society, the expectations, is an inner struggle. Understanding that you have little control over that society, over life itself, is an outward struggle that doesn't have to consume you if you let go of the illusion of control. The first one is about choosing what to focus on, the second one is about choosing to be at peace with that which you cannot control. These two work in tandem and are not contradictory.

FredPret 5y ago

Western culture is also soaked in politics. It’s almost all we talk about. And it’s all about compromises.

moviewise 5y ago

> The article explains why kung fu panda is a great movie by starting with a quote highlighting the pandas desire to break away from expectations to pursue his passion. By the end of the article, there’s a quote about illusion of control. It’s contradictory I think the "desire to break away from expectations" and the "illusion of control" are not contradictory because they represent different struggles. The former is a struggle within, the latter is a struggle against the world. Understanding for yourself what you want to accept from the larger society, the expectations, is an inner struggle. Understanding that you have little control over that society, over life itself, is an outward struggle that doesn't have to consume you if you let go of the illusion of control. The first one is about choosing what to focus on, the second one is about choosing to be at peace with that which you cannot control. These two work in tandem and are not contradictory.